Kneel? Stand? What would you do?

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sweetchuck

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Just trying to get a group opinion on what the proper course of action would be. Many Catholic Churches have been very liberalized where I live. Two of the four in my county don’t even have kneelers. If you were in my position, if you were to go to one of the churches without kneelers, what would you do? (for the sake of the argument, going to one of the churches that does have kneelers is not an option for a particular day, nor is it for me because of varying daily mass schedules. I go to any one of the four, depending on the schedule.)

This is a private poll.
 
I would kneel, but then thats how I have always been taught. I would imagine though that if the Bishop of your diocese said to go one way or another, I would follow his advice.
 
No offense, but I couldn’t bear to enter into this argument again. LOL!
 
Bishop Olmsted of Phoenix has writen two pieces on this subject here are the links to Part 1:

diocesephoenix.org/pressRoom/bishopColumn.htm

…and Part 2

catholicsun.org/bishopColumn.htm

we have kneelers in my parish that don’t get much use as it has become the “custom” to stand even through the Eucharistic Prayer. There are a few of us that do kneel at the appropriate time.

These articles give a clear explanation and should inspire those who don’t know any better to follow…
 
sweetchuck said:
This is a private poll.
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Huh? :confused:
Can you clarify this? I don’t know if it’s appropriate for me to respond, or if this is limited to a certain “club” which wasn’t spelled out.
 
:crying: Do you feel left out???

I think “private” in this instance means the identy of the person voting is not revealed.

(Public poll means the identity of each person who voted for each option is recorded, and that information is available)
 
I did vote to stand, partially to conform (the call for unity of posture is very strong), and partially because kneeling on the floor would be very difficult for me (I might genuflect at the consecration, if it were not too conspicuous (as in attention grabbing) and there was sufficient room.)

I hope never to be in that situation.

I think I would always go with the flow out of respect for the Pastor, unless there was a serious abuse. What are the other innovatiions in Churches with no kneelers? I woud be afraid to trust the interpretation of someone who disregarded the GIRM in one aspect—what about the rest?
 
I go to a church with only 50% kneelers installed. Most kneel, but some folks sit mainly because of ailements.
 
If I had the health, I would sit in the back of the nave and kneel. I agree with what another poster said…if someone in authority over me told me to stand, I would.
 
I’d follow the lead of the other people there, kneeling when everyone else is standing, is calling attention to yourself as “more holy” than the rest.

Not an appropriate message IMO.
 
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Pug:
If I had the health, I would sit in the back of the nave and kneel. I agree with what another poster said…if someone in authority over me told me to stand, I would.
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Remember that the law of the Church tells us to follow the instructions of those who lead us, UNLESS their instructions are incorrect. That means that every Catholic has an obligation to either know or find out what is correct or not correct.
 
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Mysty101:
I think “private” in this instance means the identy of the person voting is not revealed.

(Public poll means the identity of each person who voted for each option is recorded, and that information is available)
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Yes, that is exactly what I meant. Thanks for everyone’s (name removed by moderator)ut.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
Remember that the law of the Church tells us to follow the instructions of those who lead us, UNLESS their instructions are incorrect. That means that every Catholic has an obligation to either know or find out what is correct or not correct.
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The GIRM says
In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason. Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.53
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With a view to a uniformity in gestures and postures during one and the same celebration, the faithful should follow the directions which the deacon, lay minister, or priest gives according to whatever is indicated in the Missal.
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Is there a good reason for standing? (I think no kneelers would be)

Has the Diocesean Bishop given the Pastor permission for a standing norm?

Even if the answer to both questions is “no” in your assessment, you do not know the fine points of the interpretation used.

Perhaps it is an abusive situation, then what do you do? I personally do not think it is a serious abuse, so therefore I would obey the Pastor. If there is an abuse, it is his abuse for creating the situation. Obviously, if there no suitable provisions for kneeling, we are not obliged to kneel.
 
Where’s the “I’m Eastern Catholic so I stand” option?
 
Personally, I would kneel. It is the correct posture as stated in the GIRM. Furthermore, according to appendix 2 of the GIRM, lack of kneelers **does not **constitute a good reason to remain standing:
QUERY 3: In some places kneelers have been taken out of the churches. Thus, the people can only stand or sit and this detracts from the reverence and adoration due to the eucharist. REPLY: The appointments of a place of worship have some relationship to the customs of the particular locale. For example, in the East there are carpets; in the Roman basilicas, only since modern times, there are usually chairs without kneelers, so as to accommodate large crowds. There is nothing to prevent the faithful from kneeling on the floor to show their adoration, no matter how uncomfortable this may be. In cases where kneeling is not possible (see GIRM no. 21), a deep bow and a respectful bearing are signs of the reverence and adoration to be shown at the time of the consecration and communion: Not 14 (1978) 302-303, no. 4.

christusrex.org/www1/mcitl/girmappx2.html
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Br. Rich SFO:
Remember that the law of the Church tells us to follow the instructions of those who lead us, UNLESS their instructions are incorrect. That means that every Catholic has an obligation to either know or find out what is correct or not correct.
Click to expand...
How does one diplomatically tell the Bishop that their instructions are incorrect as could be interpreted in the G.I.R.M. regarding the absence of kneelers in Church?
 
I would kneel anyway, its my God and I will do what I want! 😛
 
Tyler Smedley:
I would kneel anyway, its my God and I will do what I want! 😛
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Now, now, you’re maturity (or lack thereof) is showing.

(Not to mention your atitude toward authority)
 
** Poll: Kneel? Stand? What would you do?
**
I would smash the automatic thread generator for this monotonous subject.
  1. If the Pastor wants standing, stand.
  2. If the Pastor wants kneeling, kneel.
  3. If the Pastor wants both, do both.
  4. If the Pastor wants neither, do neither.
    and:
  5. If you don’t agree with the Pastor, find a parish that agrees with YOU.
The END, folks.
now where’s that generator!
 
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