Feet on the kneeler, leaning on the bench?

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I don’t ever put my feet on the leather on the kneeler, but when it’s folded in I’ll set it up there if it hurts a bit.

Also, when I just can’t stand it, my butt’s on the seat. I’m only 16, but I have nagging back problems, so sometimes I can’t stand kneeling the whole time. Normally, I just suffer through it, put my butt on the bench for a second, then I’m fine.

But, I think I’m a bit of an exception to most teens. =P

EDIT:

Usually, that’s just when I pray the Rosary before mass with the other peoples. I don’t quite have that problem during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
 
surf(name removed by moderator)ure said:
Ahem

I care. I’ve learned since joining the forums there are quite a few no-no’s that regularly take place in parishes around the country, and it’s because nobody stops to ask the questions that they’re still going on.
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With no disrespect meant, people put too much emphasis on the rules and too little emphasis on why we are there: to worship God.

I have no use for blatant disregard for the rubrics. On the other hand, most of what upsets people (e.g. holding hands during the Our Father) is of much less importance than the fact that we are saying the Our Father as our prayer to God as Christ taught us.

Personal posture has some importance. The General Instructions of the Roman Missal does not have a lot to say about the posture of the parishoners, but one thing is (or should be) understood, and that is that common sense should prevail. If you are not feeling well, or are not able to stand, or kneel erect, then by all means sit, or kneel with your back side against the pew. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is putting form over substance.
 
No it is not permissable to put one’s feet on the kneeler.
 
Chris Jacobsen:
No it is not permissable to put one’s feet on the kneeler.
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Yes, please provide documentation for such…

I have dwarfism, stand 4” tall. As part of my type of dwarfism, I have severe joint problems. One of my hips has very little left to the socket – when my feet dangle – the hip partially dislocates. This causes pain that takes my breath away. Sitting back on the bench, my feet dangle and pull that hip out. I must sit on the front of the pew with my very clean shoes on the kneeler. When I kneel, I kneel in the same spot where my feet were, so, I get my own feet germs J

Before anyone says it, yes, I sit this way everywhere. I have a stepstool under my desk at work, if there is no place for me to rest my feet – I must sit on the floor.

If this is breaking some rule, I need to know so I can make some other arrangements to allow me to attend Mass!
 
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kage_ar:
Yes, please provide documentation for such…

I have dwarfism, stand 4” tall. As part of my type of dwarfism, I have severe joint problems. One of my hips has very little left to the socket – when my feet dangle – the hip partially dislocates. This causes pain that takes my breath away. Sitting back on the bench, my feet dangle and pull that hip out. I must sit on the front of the pew with my very clean shoes on the kneeler. When I kneel, I kneel in the same spot where my feet were, so, I get my own feet germs J

Before anyone says it, yes, I sit this way everywhere. I have a stepstool under my desk at work, if there is no place for me to rest my feet – I must sit on the floor.

If this is breaking some rule, I need to know so I can make some other arrangements to allow me to attend Mass!
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I doubt that you are breaking any rules. I wouldn’t mind at all sitting beside you during mass or even accidentally sharing your feet germs, when we kneel.😉 I think that we can all be compassionate here. If someone has a physical reason for using the kneelers as a foot rest then, for goodness sake, let’s don’t make them feel guilty.
 
There is no rule that prohibits feet on the kneelers for just reasons. It is simply an opinion, and an uncaring one at that. Sit however you are able. 🙂
 
For those who need reasons why they shouldn’t put their feet on the kneelers.

Here are a few:
  1. It damages the kneelers. We should be careful of other people’s property.
  2. It makes the kneelers dirty. Other people who use the kneelers might be wearing good clothes that they don’t want to get dirty.
  3. You are in God’s house. When you are in someone else’s house you don’t put your dirty shoes all over their furniture.
 
Chris - did you read the rest of the posts? Most of the people that need to put their feet on the kneelers have medical reasons for doing so.
Danielle
 
For those who need reasons why they shouldn’t put their feet on the kneelers.

Here are a few:
  1. It damages the kneelers. We should be careful of other people’s property.
That depends. Are you tap dancing on the kneelers? If not then you probably aren’t doing any damage.
  1. It makes the kneelers dirty. Other people who use the kneelers might be wearing good clothes that they don’t want to get dirty.
**Only if you stomped about in the mud and didn’t wipe your feet. A dry shoe won’t leave anything but a bit of dust can can be easily brushed away. Besides, don’t you ever wash those good clothes?
  1. You are in God’s house. When you are in someone else’s house you don’t put your dirty shoes all over their furniture.
No, you don’t. But a hospitable guest would do everything in his/her power to make you comfortable. And surely God would allow for resting feet on the kneelers.

I’m still waiting for better reasons for not allowing people with a need such as these folks not to rest their feet on the kneelers.
 
Chris,

I’m in agreement with Affirmed and cailliaugirl. Unless you can give me an actual Church teaching (such as from the GIRM) or even a quote from a notable Church teacher, I can’t see why I shouldn’t continue to rest my feet on the kneelers as necessary. Please try to take a more charitable attitude about this.
 
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