Do you kneel to receive communion at the OF mass?

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misstherese said:
I’ve gone to a daily mass and there was once I think actually 3 people in attendance, and that was including me and my mom! lol
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If there are only three people in attendance, sit in the front row, there is a kneeler right there.
 
Yes I kneel at OF in many different churches. You have the right to receive kneeling so don’t feel compelled to rush through kneeling down and getting back up. Here is a tip: do curtsy lunges and forward lunges with your regular workouts and you will have an easier time getting up and down without wobbling (when there is no kneeler)! People react less (notice it less) if you are able to kneel down and get up without a lot of effort. As for purchasing a kneeler, your parish probably already has several stashed away somewhere.
 
Kneeling to receive is not intrinsically foreign to the OF Mass. At our cathedral, which only celebrates the OF Mass, kneeling is the norm and always has been as far back as I know. At all 7 Sunday Masses and the 4 daily Masses, the faithful always have the option to process down the centre to receive standing or along either side to receive at the altar rail kneeling.

Standing remains the norm in most, though not all, parishes throughout the archdiocese… but because of the example set by the cathedral I can’t see anyone having an issue with either posture.

If you’re nervous, perhaps speak to the priest first. Approach him before or after Mass, ideally at a daily Mass, and tell him your preference. Go from there.
 
Okay, I understand. That’s very different from my situation. We’re in the suburbs of a medium-sized city. My parish’s territory includes 21,000 people (all people, not just Catholics) and it’s one of three parishes within the town limits.
 
No I don’t kneel to receive communion at the either the ordinary form or extraordinary form of the Latin Rite Mass. I don’t kneel to receive at the Romanian Byzantine Rite Divine Liturgy either…

I am concerned about what seems like a rash of concern and confusion created about the posture one chooses to receive…

Some people believe that Pope Francis has caused confusion, but I think that Cardinal Sarah has created much confusion and division over a rather trivial matter.
 
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Yes, definitely. At first I was pretty afraid of being seen as a freak or stubborn liturgy fanatic, but gradually the fear was dismissed when I kneel down for Communion every Sunday and no one expressed any discontent.
 
I usually genuflect before receiving Holy Communion if there is no altar rail. I haven’t encountered any issues so far with tripping or anything, thankfully! 😀
 
That’s quite a seriou thing; to be denied communion because you’re kneeling. Every Catholic has the right to receive that way, without being given a hard time. If something like that ever happens to you, tell your local bishop.
 
I receive communion kneeling. I have never, as far as I can recall, had anyone complain about it, nor had anyone trip over me. The main thing, I think, would be to not cause a commotion, as has already been mentioned. If you are quick about it, the only complaint you could possibly receive would be from someone who doesn’t understand that you are trying to be more reverent, not trying to draw attention to yourself. In fact, I have noticed that more people have begun to receive kneeling at my parish—especially altar servers, since I, myself, am a server.
 
It is a violation of a person’s rights to be denied communion simply* because they kneel. It would go against the GIRM, and, consequently, a person’s right to receive the sacrament under canon 843.1.

*However, if doing so might cause a commotion—for example—as might happen in a crowded chapel, this would not be simply because a person kneels. See link below for more information regarding this.

canonlawmadeeasy.com

Can You be Refused Holy Communion if You Kneel?

Q: In my parish, people normally receive Holy Communion standing, but there have been some people who knelt down before the priest when their turn came to receive. On one occasion I noticed that t…
canonlawmadeeasy.com
 
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I do not, unless there is an altar rail or kneeler (and I am in favor of those). It seems as though the action would draw unnecessary attention toward myself. Plus, I don’t trust myself not to do something klutzy in the process. 😄

Also, once I almost tripped over someone who suddenly knelt down to receive. So, yes, that is a consideration if you are considering kneeling in a parish where no one else does it.
 
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You would think the priest would know about that. But…

Even the bishop agreed with the priest. So there’s not much one can do. Except complain to the archbishop but the EF-goers don’t want to rile the bishop up that much.
 
I plan to receive kneeling. There is no altar rail at my church. Father C told us we were free to receive standing, or kneeling, in the hand, or on the tongue. I’ve watched others these past few years, and most receive in the hand standing,but there are a reasonable number who receive on the tongue and of them, a few kneel. Although on Saturday, I did see one woman pluck the Host out of the priest’s hand, which I am reasonably confident is not the normal run of things!!
 
Probably because she didn’t know any better. In fact, that’s probably undoubtably the case

Not everyone is as informed as they should be.
 
I’m not sure the exact situation, which is why I gave the disclaimer. There may have been more going on than appeared. 🤷‍♂️
 
I sure hope that Priest let her know that was NOT allowed or encouraged. WHY would somebody do that?
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I know a Religious Brother who does that. He had polio when he was younger so only has the reliable use of one hand, but wants to make use the Church’s permitted CITH. He very reverently takes the Host from the Minister. No problem and certainly no disagreement from the clergy.
 
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