Genuflecting, kneeling and knee surgery

[WillyAL]

For Protestants like me who don’t know any better, I thought it was worth clarifying for my own personal benefit because I didn’t want to stand out like a sore thumb or appear disrespectful so I thought I’d ask.

From a non-Catholic who attends Sunday Mass with his Catholic wife:

When I first started going to Mass I had the same thoughts as you - didn’t want to stand out or appear disrespectful. So, I would genuflect, cross myself, kneel, etc. After a while it all started to feel a bit dishonest, so I no longer genuflect or cross myself. I still kneel at the appropriate times. Truthfully, I don’t know if anyone notices or even cares what I do. I have noticed that as people get older, they don’t genuflect as quite as deeply, and when they kneel, there are a few inches of posterior seeking support from the pew.

Interestingly, we have a substitute priest that serves our parish from time to time. This gentleman, although having just turned 80 years old, can frequently be seen jogging and riding his bike around the neighborhood and working out at the downtown YMCA. I was there one time to observe his workout. For an 80 year old, he was moving some serious weight - more than many of the much younger men. Anyway, he recently had surgery on one of his feet. Post-surgery he was in a walking cast for a few weeks. No cane, no crutches, just the cast. As it happened, he was filling in at our parish while wearing this cast. As the Mass was beginning and the procession reached the foot of the altar, he genuflected…knee all the way to the floor…and with very little support from the foot in the cast, stood right back up. I bet there was no one else in the congregation over the age of 30 who could have done that.

 

[tawny]

Some years ago I was having very bad back problems and, for some reason, was unable to bow. I could still genuflect - the straight up & down was OK - but bowing was out. So was standing for any length of time. I felt odd sitting when everyone else stood, but the pain would have been unbearable.

Now due to age, I’m starting to have problems with genuflecting. But at least I can now bow!

 

[newcalling]

I agree with the other replies that it is a matter of what you can do. I had to ask my catechism teachers because I have severe osteoarthritis. I can kneel limitedly, and I do it rarely. I make myself kneel all the way down when I visit the Eucharist adoration chapel, but even there it is a matter of doing what you can. For regular mass, I bend my left knee before going into the pew, but I don’t go down on that knee. For kneeling during the mass, I sit on the edge of the pew as a sign of respect, but kneeling is out of the question. Do what you can. People aren’t supposed to be judging what others are doing in mass anyway, as long as no one is causing a loud disruption or being blatantly disrespectful.

 

[Tommy999]

From a non-Catholic who attends Sunday Mass with his Catholic wife:

When I first started going to Mass I had the same thoughts as you - didn’t want to stand out or appear disrespectful. So, I would genuflect, cross myself, kneel, etc. After a while it all started to feel a bit dishonest, so I no longer genuflect or cross myself. I still kneel at the appropriate times. Truthfully, I don’t know if anyone notices or even cares what I do. I have noticed that as people get older, they don’t genuflect as quite as deeply, and when they kneel, there are a few inches of posterior seeking support from the pew.

Interestingly, we have a substitute priest that serves our parish from time to time. This gentleman, although having just turned 80 years old, can frequently be seen jogging and riding his bike around the neighborhood and working out at the downtown YMCA. I was there one time to observe his workout. For an 80 year old, he was moving some serious weight - more than many of the much younger men. Anyway, he recently had surgery on one of his feet. Post-surgery he was in a walking cast for a few weeks. No cane, no crutches, just the cast. As it happened, he was filling in at our parish while wearing this cast. As the Mass was beginning and the procession reached the foot of the altar, he genuflected…knee all the way to the floor…and with very little support from the foot in the cast, stood right back up. I bet there was no one else in the congregation over the age of 30 who could have done that.

Wow, WillyAL. It sounds like that 80 year old priest is really physically fit to be able to do that. The clincher would be to see him doing a bunch of push-ups in the fellowship hall after Mass with one hand behind his back.

 

[Tommy999]

I agree with the other replies that it is a matter of what you can do. I had to ask my catechism teachers because I have severe osteoarthritis. I can kneel limitedly, and I do it rarely. I make myself kneel all the way down when I visit the Eucharist adoration chapel, but even there it is a matter of doing what you can. For regular mass, I bend my left knee before going into the pew, but I don’t go down on that knee. For kneeling during the mass, I sit on the edge of the pew as a sign of respect, but kneeling is out of the question. Do what you can. People aren’t supposed to be judging what others are doing in mass anyway, as long as no one is causing a loud disruption or being blatantly disrespectful.

What you said sounds sensible and very practical, newcalling. I think I have a much better picture now thanks to all of the replies. Thanks to all.

 

[G_S]

It seems as though at our rather conservative, traditional parish that very few people genuflect but instead, just give a nod of the head towards the Tabernacle. This coincides with a lessening in faith in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is obvious that a great many of the people simply nodding or completely ignoring the Presence are perfectly able to genuflect. It is absolutely true that someone who is physically impeded from genuflecting should not do so. However, an inability to genuflect does not justify walking into the pew without even a nod to the Presence of Christ in the Tabernacle. When I pointed out to our pastor how prior to Mass a group of people were gathered right in front of the Tabernacle obviously engaged in an unpleasant and rather angry conversation, he immediately decided to move the Tabernacle to the central axis of the church from it’s passageway exile of some twenty-five years. The next Sunday, a parishioner asked me, “Why did Father move the Tabernacle? Was it so he didn’t have to walk so far?” (Father’s a jogger.) Genuflecting is a beautiful act of worship. I delayed my knee surgery for years because I felt it might impede my ability to bend the knee in reverence. Even with a recent, full knee replacement, I bend my knee as much as I can before the Real Presence without falling down in the process. Please, if you are physically impeded from genuflecting – maybe you’re carrying a baby and herding toddlers into the pew – be genuinely reverent in pausing and bowing towards the Presence.

 

[Veector]

“Are provisions made for that person to do a small bow or some other gesture of respect in cases like this?” Yup. For the Lord is Love and Mercy itself.
I don’t really know why my Catholic brethren are going for “common sense” here. :-/

PS: Capslock on “L” and “M” in Love & Mercy was just 4 emphasis.

 

[Sunbreak]

No, you aren’t required to torture yourself with kneeling if you have an injury or are healing from an injury/operation.

 

[WillyAL]

Wow, WillyAL. It sounds like that 80 year old priest is really physically fit to be able to do that. The clincher would be to see him doing a bunch of push-ups in the fellowship hall after Mass with one hand behind his back.

Our “fellowship hall” is the school gymnasium. Before having his one weekly doughnut, I have seen him do a few push-ups (two hands) and pull ups. For 80 years old, this guy is off the charts.

 

[Tommy999]

Our “fellowship hall” is the school gymnasium. Before having his one weekly doughnut, I have seen him do a few push-ups (two hands) and pull ups. For 80 years old, this guy is off the charts.

Sounds like it.

By the way, although I am not Catholic I admire the love and honor for your wife that you show by going with her to Mass even though you are not Catholic.

That speaks to your integrity as a man and as a husband. I’m sure it means a lot to her. Keep up the good work, if you don’t mind me saying so.

 

[WillyAL]

Keep up the good work, if you don’t mind me saying so.

Don’t mind at all. Thanks!

 

[MissRose73]

I’ve got bad knees too which makes it painful to kneel for long periods of time. My mother still likes to tell me how to kneel “correctly” not take the more comfortable posture for my knees & back which is partly lean against the pew or take a part sitting/kneeling posture. I simply ignore her “corrections” as I am an adult & need to do what is best for me. I am sure God understands my intentions are good regardless.

 

[revert_jen]

I make a profound bow when entering the pew. If I genuflected, I’d never get up.

Same here, except for me it’s more that I might be able to get up or might not, and I never know until I’m down which it’s going to be.

But I like to do the profound bow, to show as much respect for Christ in the Eucharist as I can. Also because I’m not old enough or limpy enough to look like I have a knee problem, so it’s a little embarrassing not to be able to genuflect.

–Jen

 

[powerofk]

Same here, except for me it’s more that I might be able to get up or might not, and I never know until I’m down which it’s going to be.

But I like to do the profound bow, to show as much respect for Christ in the Eucharist as I can. Also because I’m not old enough or limpy enough to look like I have a knee problem, so it’s a little embarrassing not to be able to genuflect.

–Jen

And if that’s the case, remember - Jesus knows what your intentions are.

 

[G_S]

And if that’s the case, remember - Jesus knows what your intentions are.

And it is also important to provide a good example. Jesus does know our intentions but it actually is important what other people think, especially children and the weak in faith. If you cannot kneel or genuflect, offer the best you have in your physical act of worship.

 

[Tommy999]

And it is also important to provide a good example. Jesus does know our intentions but it actually is important what other people think, especially children and the weak in faith. If you cannot kneel or genuflect, offer the best you have in your physical act of worship.

I agree, G&S, but I think it is a judgment call for each person, as I’m sure you would agree.

For example, in my case, I wanted so badly to not offend anyone (or God) that I knelt all the times that other people did and it hurt my knee a little at the time, but it wasn’t debilitating so I figured I could endure it.

However, the next day I could barely walk and it took two or three days before I returned to walking without a limp.

While my heart and spirit wanted to return for another visit to Mass, my knees did their best lobbying effort against it.

 

[pianistclare]

I agree, G&S, but I think it is a judgment call for each person, as I’m sure you would agree.

For example, in my case, I wanted so badly to not offend anyone (or God) that I knelt all the times that other people did and it hurt my knee a little at the time, but it wasn’t debilitating so I figured I could endure it.

However, the next day I could barely walk and it took two or three days before I returned to walking without a limp.

While my heart and spirit wanted to return for another visit to Mass, my knees did their best lobbying effort against it.

LOL that’s funny.
Sit toward the far end of the pew if you worry about people looking. In general, no one cares…everyone has their cross to bear, and we ought not to look askance at others in the first place.

 

[revert_jen]

And it is also important to provide a good example. Jesus does know our intentions but it actually is important what other people think, especially children and the weak in faith. If you cannot kneel or genuflect, offer the best you have in your physical act of worship.

Yes, but I have so far restrained myself from wearing a sign saying “I have a bad knee” which sometimes I wish I could.

And thanks powerofk for your kind words!

–Jen

 

[Tommy999]

Yes, but I have so far restrained myself from wearing a sign saying “I have a bad knee” which sometimes I wish I could.

And thanks powerofk for your kind words!

–Jen

You are not alone, revert_jen. Many of us are with you in spirit.

I recently had knee surgery (torn meniscus in two places that I had been living with for awhile) so I am hoping this becomes a non-issue for me in the future, but I realize some folks have more serious issues with their knees and my prayers go out to them.