I dare you...

[Shin]

In the Byzantine true, but in the Latin, there are some that use the spoon, and it is not a matter of difficulty.

I too, have never gone back.

Kneeling is forever. Once you break the barrier of doing it no matter where you are, up, down, just like a genuflection, and are prepared to brave the occasional problem priest (it’s a good detector), all is well.

All is well. Because you kneel before the Lord.

 

[MaryandJoseph]

I went from receiving on the hand to receiving on the tongue (much to the DISpleasure of the priest). I cannot imagine going back to receiving on the hand again (this is a personal choice and I in no way condem others who receive on the hand).

Like others have posted though, for me to kneel without the benefit of a Communion Rail would be a most difficult physical act, as I kinda would need the railing to help me up again…with age comes wisdom Not limber knees.

The Eucharist is our Lord Jesus Christ–Body Blood Soul and Divinity, NOT a thin piece of cracker, our posture when receiving says a great deal about how we understand this teaching and truth.

We are but humble children of God, if Jesus were to appear to us in the flesh, would we not fall on our faces in adoration? when we receive the Eucharist, that is Jesus we are receiving, should we not adopt the same posture (physical ability permitting)?

 

[surritter]

I went from receiving on the hand to receiving on the tongue (much to the DISpleasure of the priest). I cannot imagine going back to receiving on the hand again (this is a personal choice and I in no way condem others who receive on the hand).

That’s really strange that a priest would be bothered by you receiving on the tongue! I could somewhat imagine a strange look from kneeling (since that’s not the norm in the US, blah blah) but the tongue is the universal norm and quite common.

 

[Shin]

I went from receiving on the hand to receiving on the tongue (much to the DISpleasure of the priest). I cannot imagine going back to receiving on the hand again (this is a personal choice and I in no way condem others who receive on the hand).

Like others have posted though, for me to kneel without the benefit of a Communion Rail would be a most difficult physical act, as I kinda would need the railing to help me up again…with age comes wisdom Not limber knees.

The Eucharist is our Lord Jesus Christ–Body Blood Soul and Divinity, NOT a thin piece of cracker, our posture when receiving says a great deal about how we understand this teaching and truth.

We are but humble children of God, if Jesus were to appear to us in the flesh, would we not fall on our faces in adoration? when we receive the Eucharist, that is Jesus we are receiving, should we not adopt the same posture (physical ability permitting)?

Amen.

I cannot say the benefits I simply get from practicing such simple devotions of the body, they are without end.

Prostrations, kneeling, genuflecting… If in your private devotions too, you do not have this practice… if you can… give it a try… I guarantee… you will find results.

 

[OraLabora]

Amen.

I cannot say the benefits I simply get from practicing such simple devotions of the body, they are without end.

Prostrations, kneeling, genuflecting… If in your private devotions too, you do not have this practice… if you can… give it a try… I guarantee… you will find results.

I have a kneeler in my oratory. When I do the LOTH I used to “assume the position”: opening verse, hymn and intonation of first antiphon standing; psalmody sitting; standing and bowing at each Gloria Patri; standing for the responsory and gospel canticle, intercessions, pater and final oration. Up and down, up and down. With creaky back and knees it was beginning to be a serious obstacle and would make me look for ways to avoid the Office.

Part of humility is accepting the condition that you find yourself in. God knows your heart.

So now, I do the office sitting in a plain chair. I stand for the marian antiphon at the end of Compline. During penitential seasons, I kneel for the intercessions and final prayers.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

I fully intend to as soon as they restore the communion rails for that purpose, and return to ordained ministers who are properly trained to communicate. Until then I see no purpose in getting myself in a position where 3 altar boys would be needed to get me standing again.

Neither I nor any priest I know was “trained to communicate.” We simply do it every day and thus get better at it than someone who does it once a month for 3 years.

 

[ljubim]

We are but humble children of God, if Jesus were to appear to us in the flesh, would we not fall on our faces in adoration? when we receive the Eucharist, that is Jesus we are receiving, should we not adopt the same posture (physical ability permitting)?

That’s how I think of it too

When I was younger, I used to think it was weird that people would kiss Our Lord’s feet, etc. Not any more!!

The song that randomly(or not? ) got stuck in my head the days before I began kneeling was “O Holy Night,” a truly beautiful song. So I kept singing it over and over again until a huge significance fell on the line “fall on your knees,” and my heart just leapt! What a lovely way to motivate yourself to kneel when you’re afraid of people staring at you!

 

[Shin]

That’s how I think of it too

When I was younger, I used to think it was weird that people would kiss Our Lord’s feet, etc. Not any more!!

The song that randomly(or not? ) got stuck in my head the days before I began kneeling was “O Holy Night,” a truly beautiful song. So I kept singing it over and over again until a huge significance fell on the line “fall on your knees,” and my heart just leapt! What a lovely way to motivate yourself to kneel when you’re afraid of people staring at you!

Isn’t O Holy Night wonderful? Yes it is…

 

[CatholicLife]

I used to receive Communion kneeling for quite a while until my pastor told me not to. I think my youth leader told him I was a bad example for the parish since I’m an altar server.

 

[ljubim]

I used to receive Communion kneeling for quite a while until my pastor told me not to. I think my youth leader told him I was a bad example for the parish since I’m an altar server.

A bad example? I mean I can understand people thinking kneeling vs standing is neutral, but bad?

Bad youth leader, more like it.

 

[ac_claire]

I love, love, *love *kneeling for communion but I’m afraid to do it because a close friend of mine tried recently and was reprimanded by her priest. I think he did give her communion, but then told her there in the communion line that she needed to stand from now on. She was humiliated. I know that this happens with at least some frequency because I read about here and on other blogs. So, not sure what to do.

 

[wanner47]

At my parish, this would require kneeling on a concrete floor… and given the current size of my belly, it’s debatable regarding if I would be able to get up again.

That being said, I have received kneeling before and much prefer it to receiving while standing. It’s just very difficult logistically at the moment.

 

[acadian]

Doing this at my parish would result in a general reminder that the “preferred posture” for receiving Holy Communion in the United States is standing.

I know because someone knelt to receive at one of our daily Masses a while back.

 

[japscarousel]

Let me share you a story:

I received my first communion kneeling. That was in the year 2000, and that was the only time I got to receive the Body and Blood kneeling! Then, I started receiving communion by hand since then. As I grow up, I come to realize things. So when I started receiving communion by tongue years ago, the priest scolded me telling me I am not extending my tongue out so much! I was trembling there, and he ‘threw’ the host in my tongue. I never resumed receiving the communion in tongue until some few months ago. I’ve been reading a lot of traditional things. So last Sunday, while attending the Mass I decided to receive it again by tongue.

So last Sunday, I received in tongue again but I was nervous. The priest was a short man, that I thought I would be able to receive the communion kneeling but I was so nervous that I didn’t do it.

So I pray that the next time I attend a mass, a short priest would be there

 

[ac_claire]

Doing this at my parish would result in a general reminder that the “preferred posture” for receiving Holy Communion in the United States is standing.

I know because someone knelt to receive at one of our daily Masses a while back.

Yeah, see…I knew this was pretty common. So I guess the best thing to do (far as I can work out) is to recieve standing until the Holy See says that kneeling and standing are equally “preferred” postures, or unless you can find a church that still has the communion rail. Which is, any TLM masses and a few parishes that celebrate the OF with a communion rail. (St. Patrick’s in Columbus, OH is one.)

It’s not that being reprimanded by a preist would be the end of the world, but if I was anticipating that maybe happening, I really don’t think that I, personally, would be able to focus on receiving communion.

 

[surritter]

I agree – a priest can never deny you Holy Communion because you are kneeling, but he is allowed to gently remind you of the norms.
I think highly of receiving while kneeling, but I wonder if obedience to the successors to the Apostles is more pleasing to Our Lord than personal piety.

 

[Elijah_Baley]

This is not directed at any one poster, but be sure that receiving communion kneeling is not an act of pride, showing off how reverent one is while keeping everyone behind you waiting a little longer.

If you wish to show reverence to God without showing off your reverence in front of everyone else, to bow or genuflect just as the person before you receives communion might have much the same effect. Also, it is perfectly acceptable to receive communion on the tongue without making any gesture.

While I prefer the communion rail, in its absence I bow before receiving communion on the tongue, as a kind of compromise between the forms.

 

[Shin]

The obedience due the Pope who has authorized kneeling to all the Faithful and instructed they may not be treated as disobedient or refused Communion kneeling is the proper obedience…

The reverence to God above all…

I simply change parishes if a priest makes a fuss about kneeling, and that has worked for me well. A priest who would do this… or refuse you… it really is an unspeakable act… A priest who would I don’t regard as going to be the most helpful fellow generally in other ways.

If one cannot find a parish to kneel in, one can of course take this up to authority and one -will- get backing kneeling.

 

[surritter]

The obedience due the Pope who has authorized kneeling to all the Faithful and instructed they may not be treated as disobedient or refused Communion kneeling is the proper obedience…

I clearly stated that one is not to be denied Holy Communion for kneeling, but simply mentioned that the priest is correct in politely informing the communicant of the established norm in the US, which, gosh, you would think is to be followed except for a good reason. Those two statements are not in contradiction.

 

[dsears]

It depends on where I’m at. When I’ve visited the FSSP parish in Indy (Holy Rosary) I kneeled, but when I’m at the church I go to here or my normal on in Indy I generally stand.