Is it inappropriate to kneel at communion at some Masses?

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I’ve recently started receiving communion on the tongue , after being taught to receive it by hand and doing that for my whole life. I sometimes watch the morning broadcast of the Mass on EWTN , and it stood out to me how the people on there would kneel while receiving. To me , it seems very reverant and sort of takes it out of run-of-the-mill column to something beyond ordinary , and I like that. Again , that’s just my impression , and my very humble opinion – it’s not like I’m some great Catholic , I’ve been out of the church for quite sometime and feel like I’m only about half way back in it so far. I searched some key words related to this and it seems like a hot topic , people very opinionated on either side – and it can get pretty complicated , but my question is more like – say I were to have made up my mind that I like the idea of giving it a try , and there is nothing wrong with it – Is there any other rules that would make it be a " wrong place at the wrong time " type thing. For example , is it something that is relegated to only a certain type of Mass or only on certain occasions or anything like that ?
 
Glimpse_Ahead said:
I’ve recently started receiving communion on the tongue , after being taught to receive it by hand and doing that for my whole life. I sometimes watch the morning broadcast of the Mass on EWTN , and it stood out to me how the people on there would kneel while receiving. To me , it seems very reverant and sort of takes it out of run-of-the-mill column to something beyond ordinary , and I like that. Again , that’s just my impression , and my very humble opinion – it’s not like I’m some great Catholic , I’ve been out of the church for quite sometime and feel like I’m only about half way back in it so far. I searched some key words related to this and it seems like a hot topic , people very opinionated on either side – and it can get pretty complicated , but my question is more like – say I were to have made up my mind that I like the idea of giving it a try , and there is nothing wrong with it – Is there any other rules that would make it be a " wrong place at the wrong time " type thing. For example , is it something that is relegated to only a certain type of Mass or only on certain occasions or anything like that ?
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It is required in the Extraordinary Rite and sometimes, not even tolerated in the Ordinary Rite. My wife and I both were reprimanded on the spot by different priests in different churches for kneeling to receive the Blessed Sacrament. Both priests said we must do what the “community” did. Those were the last times we ever attended Mass in the OF.
 
giuseppeTO said:
It is required in the Extraordinary Rite and sometimes,** not even tolerated in the Ordinary Rite**. My wife and I both were reprimanded on the spot by different priests in different churches for kneeling to receive the Blessed Sacrament. Both priests said we must do what the “community” did. Those were the last times we ever attended Mass in the OF.
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Not correct! In my parish it is accepted.
 
Let me point out that these sites above refer only to the Latin Church.

In the Byzantine Churches, Communion is normally administered under both Species in the form of a sop on a golden spoon. Kneeling would be VERY impractical here, and you might run the risk of spillage.
 
I’m pretty sure there is a Church document that states you cannot be refused Communion for kneeling - let me see if I can find it.

The usual argument you will come across is one of obedience, and doing what the community is doing for the sake of obedience.

I think it’s best to talk to the priest privately and tell him of your desire to receive Holy Communion kneeling. That way you have established a rapport with him on the subject and won’t take him by surprise at Mass when you kneel.
 
It’s appropriate to kneel at Communion at all Masses. It’s never appropriate to disrespect Our Lord.
 
paramedicgirl said:
I’m pretty sure there is a Church document that states you cannot be refused Communion for kneeling - let me see if I can find it.

The usual argument you will come across is one of obedience, and doing what the community is doing for the sake of obedience.

I think it’s best to talk to the priest privately and tell him of your desire to receive Holy Communion kneeling. That way you have established a rapport with him on the subject and won’t take him by surprise at Mass when you kneel.
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Here is how it went in our church. I knelt to receive and the priest said “Get up!” I opened my eyes and he was glaring at me. “Get up.” He said again. “You have to receive like everyone else does.” I don’t know what you would call it but I call it EVIL. I doubt that this fellow would be much impressed with any document you could produce.
 
I found the document - it’s in the GIRM for the United States.

GIRM 160

The faithful are not permitted to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them from one to another. The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm.

EWTN link
 
paramedicgirl said:
I found the document - it’s in the GIRM for the United States.

GIRM 160

The faithful are not permitted to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them from one to another. The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm.

EWTN link
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…which is why I will never step foot in a diocesan church to attend a Mass in the OF.
 
GIRM 160 said:
The faithful are not permitted to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them from one to another. The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should be addressed pastorally,** by providing the faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm.**
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wouldn’t the last sentence strike you as an oxymoron?
 
The article’s I presented were from EWTN and the letter that my post refers to was
dated Feb. 2003 and clearly states this:

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."

So, I repeat, you are free to do so if you wish. I personally can’t understand why anyone-
most especially any Priest would have a problem with someone kneeling before our LORD.

(my bold and underline.)
 
I have had people kneel for Communion when I have been distributing, and wouldn’t dream of denying them; in fact, it was a most humbling experience for me as it was a powerful reminder of what I was doing. That said, I can envision circumstances, such as the layout of a particular church, where kneeling might present a tripping or similar hazard to others in line, and in such a case I would hope charity and sensitivity to that problem would influence the behavior of a communicant.
 
Mattapoisett64 said:
I have had people kneel for Communion when I have been distributing, and wouldn’t dream of denying them; in fact, it was a most humbling experience for me as it was a powerful reminder of what I was doing. That said, I can envision circumstances, such as the layout of a particular church, where kneeling might present a tripping or similar hazard to others in line, and in such a case I would hope charity and sensitivity to that problem would influence the behavior of a communicant.
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Unless the people are walking blindfolded --and can’t see someone kneeling --don’t see a problem.
 
Walking_Home said:
Unless the people are walking blindfolded --and can’t see someone kneeling --don’t see a problem.
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Quite frankly I don’t “see” how you’re in a position to arbitrarily dismiss concerns with the elderly, some with canes, young mothers with youngsters clinging to them and possibly distracting them, cramped spaces between altar platforms and pews, etc. and possible issues with people triping over legs that aren’t where they’d expect to find them, especially if perhaps 2 in a hundred are kneeling. Is the personal gesture of kneeling more important to you than someone’s safety?
 
Mattapoisett64 said:
Quite frankly I don’t “see” how you’re in a position to arbitrarily dismiss concerns with the elderly, some with canes, young mothers with youngsters clinging to them and possibly distracting them, cramped spaces between altar platforms and pews, etc. and possible issues with people triping over legs that aren’t where they’d expect to find them, especially if perhaps 2 in a hundred are kneeling. Is the personal gesture of kneeling more important to you than someone’s safety?
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Well quite frankly – I don’t “see” how you can make a determination that someone who follows what the Church allows and validates is going to be some type of “obstruction” to those around them. Unless --someone wants to make it such.

Gee —maybe those in wheelchairs should not approach Holy Communion. After all they may interfere with the elderly, young mothers with children in tow. Think about the cramped spaces, the platforms and pews. And let us not forget their legs – where are they --oh yes–in front–protruding from the chair --well think of the “hazard” people in wheel chairs can pose.
 
Personally, I kneel for communion no matter which Mass I attend. Our Archbishop really came down on several priests that “chastised” parishoners for kneeling. So its not really an issue here. I, also, receive communion ONLY from Consecrated hands. If a Eucharistic Minister is distributing on my side I just switch lines.

So far no complaints. If I ever receive one I’ll just smile and ignore the complainers. I try not to attend a parish where there may even be a problem. So I try to hit the FSSP parish often.
 
corsair said:
Personally, I kneel for communion no matter which Mass I attend. **Our Archbishop **really came down on several priests that “chastised” parishoners for kneeling. So its not really an issue here. I, also, receive communion ONLY from Consecrated hands. If a Eucharistic Minister is distributing on my side I just switch lines.

So far no complaints. If I ever receive one I’ll just smile and ignore the complainers. I try not to attend a parish where there may even be a problem. So I try to hit the FSSP parish often.
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We need more like him.
 
it doesn’t matter whether or not you kneel or stand. As long as you recieve the host in a respectable manner your fine. Some see kneeling as a more reverent way to take the comunion but it doesnt really matter
 
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