I want to kneel while receiving Jesus but no one else does

[agnes_therese]

Kneeling is the right of all the faithful. It is enshrined in our tradition and our highest liturgical law. I think instead of groveling to the pastor to discuss this as if you need permission for it, perhaps you can just send a signed letter, politely conveying the fact that you wish to exercise your right to kneel for Holy Communion. Then if the pastor contacts you in order to “catechize” you on why it is a bad idea, you will immediately know that this is the wrong parish for you, or for that matter, anyone who considers his canonical rights to be important.

Since no one else is currently doing so, it would certainly be courteous of the OP to discuss with his priest first, rather than just springing it on him.

It’s very sad when common courtesy is trashed as “groveling.”

 

[JM3]

The issue is that there is no need at all to discuss this with the parish priest, let alone seek his permission or approval. This is an issue over which he has no authority.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1U.HTM

Can. 519 The pastor (parochus) is the proper pastor (pastor) of the parish entrusted to him, exercising the pastoral care of the community committed to him under the authority of the diocesan bishop in whose ministry of Christ he has been called to share, so that for that same community he carries out the functions of teaching, sanctifying, and governing, also with the cooperation of other presbyters or deacons and with the assistance of lay members of the Christian faithful, according to the norm of law.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20030317_ordinamento-messale_en.html

1. The gestures and posture of the priest, the deacon, and the ministers, as well as those of the people, ought to contribute to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, so that the true and full meaning of the different parts of the celebration is evident and that the participation of all is fostered.[52] Therefore, attention should be paid to what is determined by this General Instruction and the traditional practice of the Roman Rite and to what serves the common spiritual good of the People of God, rather than private inclination or arbitrary choice.

A common posture, to be observed by all participants, is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered for the sacred Liturgy: it both expresses and fosters the intention and spiritual attitude of the participants.

(bold is mine)

 

[R_H_Benson]

Question: Can the faithful legitimately received Holy Communion kneeling?

Answer: **Yes. **Here is a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship responding to this question on 2/26/03:

Prot. N. 47/03/L

This Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has received your letter dated 1 December 2002, related to the application of the norms approved by the Conference of Bishops of the United States of America, with the subsequent recognitio of this Congegation, as regards the question of the posture for receiving Holy Communion.

As the authority by virtue of whose recognitio the norm in question has attained the force of law, this Dicastery is competent to specify the manner in which the norm is to be understood for the sake of a proper application. Having received more than a few letters regarding this matter from different locations in the United States of America, the Congregation wishes to ensure that its position on the matter is clear.

To this end, it is perhaps useful to respond to your inquiry by repeating the content of a letter that the Congregation recently addressed to a Bishop in the United States of America from whose Diocese a number of pertinent letters had been received. The letter states: “…while this Congregation gave the recognitio to the norm desired by the Bishops’ Conference of your country that people stand for Holy Communion, this was done on the condition that communicants who choose to kneel are not to be denied Holy Communion on these grounds.** Indeed, the faithful should not be imposed upon nor accused of disobedience and of acting illicitly when they kneel to receive Holy Communion.”**

This Dicastery hopes that the citation given here will provide an adequate answer to your letter. At the same time, please be assured that the Congregation remains ready to be of assistance if you should need to contact it again.

With every prayerful good wish, I am,

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Mons. Mario Marini
Undersecretary

 

[Ignatius]

Question: Can the faithful legitimately received Holy Communion kneeling?

Answer: **Yes. **Here is a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship responding to this question on 2/26/03:

 

[Rasoleil]

Today (Saturday), I made a commitment to receive communion kneeling. I’ve always accepted it on the tongue, as I’ve always felt unworthy to handle the body of Christ in my own hands. Kneeling while accepting communion at the same time was the first time I had ever done this, and I intend to do it from now on. The priest did not look surprised and at all, as maybe he’s seen it in other parishes. He is not our parish priest ( who says masses at two churches in the parish, and the one I worship at is the mission church), but fills in on ocassion. I was the only one in church that had done it, and I haven’t seen anyone do the same ever. I wonder went through the minds of those who noticed it, but that really doesn’t matter anyway. Maybe others will follow, but since many members of the church are elderly, it may be hard on the knees and the rest of the body, I don’t know. Wasn’t exactly easy on me either.

 

[biggybig]

I understand how you feel, sorry didnt get your name. I just ignore everyone else and remind myself I do it for reverence for God.

 

[kozlosap]

Since no one else is currently doing so, it would certainly be courteous of the OP to discuss with his priest first, rather than just springing it on him.

It’s very sad when common courtesy is trashed as “groveling.”

I agree totally with your view. Narcissism that is displayed in some of the posts on this thread are very telling.

 

[joseph_therese]

hi again
since kneeling to recieve is doctrine since the council of trent (I,e if anybody says you don’t have to adore our Lord truly present in the most Blessed Sacrament anathema sit) its a duty not an option to kneel.go to a church which follows this doctrine faithfully.usually sspx and most orders saying the extraordinary rite. if you want to research postures for recieving and other doctrines regarding the reception of the eucharist (eg communion in the hand and under two species) check the prevatican book ‘fundamentals of catholic dogma’ by dr Ludwig Ott.Since these matters are ‘semper et ubique’ not even the pope himself has power to change them.
best of luck
Dan.

 

[Francis_C_1]

Genuflecting just before receiving our Lord would perhaps be a good comprise if you thought kneeling would make you stand out. There is some in my parish who do this and this looks equally reverent. There was a previous comment about concern about possibly tripping someone up and you would have to give this consideration as well. Or perhaps you could say a small prayer before receiving saying to our Lord that you are kneeling within your heart, I think our Lord will understand if there is difficulty in actually kneeling.

However having said all that I have seen others Kneeling at other parishes within my city and no one batted an eye lid.

 

[eightydeuce82]

1st off YOU DO NOT NEED THE APPROVAL OF ANYONE TO KNEEL TO RECIEVE!

The doctrine of the faith has spoken on the matter and a priest is not to refuse anyone reception of the Eucharist kneeling. It is the preferred method of receiving in fact.

It is you’re right to receive how you prefer and no one can deny you.

 

[ProVobis]

hi again
since kneeling to recieve is doctrine since the council of trent (I,e if anybody says you don’t have to adore our Lord truly present in the most Blessed Sacrament anathema sit)

I follow Trent too but as much as I’d like to agree with you and wish everyone received kneeling, I’m afraid it is not quite doctrine. Not as much as one has to be properly disposed to receive anyway.

 

[johnnyc176]

What should I do? I don’t want to draw attention to myself (hey look at me). I already am one of the very few who receive Him on my tongue. The last thing I want to do is distract people from Jesus.

When we enter the Adoration chapel what do we do? Kneel before the Blessed Sacrament. Why should it be any different receiving the Eucharist? If others are distracted then they are the ones with a problem.

 

[camkutz]

Just kneel regardless of if there is a communion rail or kneeler, show reverence to the Lord! Be an example of humility for Him who humbled himself

 

[Mark121359]

I agree totally with your view. Narcissism that is displayed in some of the posts on this thread are very telling.

Narcissism? Nah…I see nothing of the kind. Kneeling is a very humbling posture. Catholics see kneeling to receive as their way of showing respect and an attitude of adoration before the Real Presence of Jesus, and nothing more. And no one has the right to take that away from them, nor to question their motives.

Peace, Mark

 

[kozlosap]

Narcissism? Nah…I see nothing of the kind. Kneeling is a very humbling posture. Catholics see kneeling to receive as their way of showing respect and an attitude of adoration before the Real Presence of Jesus, and nothing more. And no one has the right to take that away from them, nor to question their motives.

Peace, Mark

Common courtesy to the Pastor is not a bad thing, n’est pas?

 

[Brendan_64]

Common courtesy to the Pastor is not a bad thing, n’est pas?

And what if a person preferred to kneel and pray during the Offertory rather than sit? Ought he also to mention this preference to the priest beforehand? And what of the people who choose to hold their hands in the orans position during the Our Father, or those who choose to hold hands during it (even though the Church discourages this practice), should they also mention this to Father before Mass?

Do we really have to inform Father of every posture we choose to take during the Mass (even though we are entitled to assume such a posture)? There would be a very long line of people queuing up to see Father before Mass if that was the case.

It really ought to be no big deal at all should a priest come across the occasional person who kneels to receive Communion (even in a church where most people stand).Why the need to make a big deal over it by going to inform Father beforehand?

 

[TheSurvivor]

Common courtesy to the Pastor is not a bad thing, n’est pas?

How does this equal narcissism? Please, quote the posts that show narcissism or retract your accusation.

God Love you I’m Michael Voris. Oh wait! No I’m not.

 

[kozlosap]

How does this equal narcissism? Please, quote the posts that show narcissism or retract your accusation.

God Love you I’m Michael Voris. Oh wait! No I’m not.

You do not think it narcissistic to make your wishes more important than safety issues when being in a long line that is quite close together? I see not one thing wrong with receiving in the kneeling position, but maybe the Pastor has a plan for those who wish to receive in that manner. He might want you to only be in the line where a priest is as compared to the line with a lay person. It makes sense that the priest would appreciate a heads-up, especially if no one has received kneeling in recent history. If you attended a FSSP church and you decided it was your right to receive standing up, don’t you think that it would be appreciated if you notified the priest first?

(Ps: thank goodness you are your own person, and not a Voris clone…)

 

[TK421]

What should I do? I don’t want to draw attention to myself (hey look at me). I already am one of the very few who receive Him on my tongue. The last thing I want to do is distract people from Jesus.

St JP2, going a step further than St Aquinas. was a subscriber of phenomenology, which in a very concise way says “you are what you do”.

If you desire to worship God by kneeling before the sacrament, then do so. If somebody inquires, answer with the truth. “I enjoy kneeling and I feel more in love with God that way”. There is no further need for elaboration than there is in explaining why one would applaud Beethoven’s symphony. When we encounter beauty, or Beauty, it is a human reaction to respond to it and acknowledge, though not all in precisely the same way.

These feelings of anxiety will never vanish by themselves, but the more you do something, the more you feel at peace in doing it. Kneeling is a licit way of receiving and you can have full confidence that Jesus, being the unquenchable lover that he is, will not be slow in accepting your expression of gratitude. You are what you do.

God bless

 

[Brendan_64]

You do not think it narcissistic to make your wishes more important than safety issues when being in a long line that is quite close together?

Oh come on. Kneeling to receive Communion is potentially endangering the safety of others? Have we really reached a point where people are not expected to take responsibility for their own basic safety through opening their eyes and looking where they are going?

And even in a line of people I would have thought that people would have the manners to stay a few steps behind the person receiving in front of them rather than stand right behind their back while they receive. If people can do it in a queue for the bank or at a cash till, then why is this an issue when receiving Communion at Mass? In reality there is no safety issue whatsoever with people kneeling to receive Communion, that is a real red herring.