Kneeling after Communion?

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gracepoole

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I was taught as a child to remain kneeling after Communion until the Host is returned to the tabernacle. This means that if two priests are presiding and one takes the Host to the tabernacle while the other returns to sit, the parish remains kneeling until the tabernacle is closed. I now attend a parish in which everyone sits as soon as a priest sits, whether or not the Host has been returned to the tabernacle by another priest, deacon, or EMHC. This seems to be the norm in the OF parishes I’ve attended in the past 10 years or so. Is there a rule about this sort of thing or is it a matter of parish custom?
 
gracepoole said:
I was taught as a child to remain kneeling after Communion until the Host is returned to the tabernacle. This means that if two priests are presiding and one takes the Host to the tabernacle while the other returns to sit, the parish remains kneeling until the tabernacle is closed. I now attend a parish in which everyone sits as soon as a priest sits, whether or not the Host has been returned to the tabernacle by another priest, deacon, or EMHC. This seems to be the norm in the OF parishes I’ve attended in the past 10 years or so. Is there a rule about this sort of thing or is it a matter of parish custom?
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It has been my training and understanding that we should remain kneeling until the tabernacle has been closed AND all priests are sitting.
 
I still remain kneeling until the Tabernacle is closed. That’s how I was taught, many moons ago.
 
We are to remain kneeling till the Hosts are in the tabernacle and it is closed. Most of us remain kneeling until the priest finishes purifying the vessels and then sits. Our priest would prefer we sit after the tabernacle is closed so it’s clear we were kneeling for Jesus not waiting for him! But he understands most would like a few extra minutes of prayer!! When there are 2 priests the 2nd one never sits until the tabernacle is closed. They usually go to the chair then face the tabernacle if there is another priest or deacon putting the hosts away. That’s what I’ve seen for about the last 10 years anyway
 
For all those who say that kneeling is a must until the tabernacle is closed, I ask for a citation
The GIRM for the US does it address this at all, other than to say that the local ordinary has the final say.

That said, while kneeling is a pious gesture, it is not required.
We really need to stop making up our own rules based on what “I prefer” or “I think”.
 
Oneofthewomen said:
For all those who say that kneeling is a must until the tabernacle is closed, I ask for a citation
The GIRM for the US does it address this at all, other than to say that the local ordinary has the final say.

That said, while kneeling is a pious gesture, it is not required.
We really need to stop making up our own rules based on what “I prefer” or “I think”.
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I agree!!! In my parish, when a lot of guest priests are invited, say for the solemn mass to end our annual 40 Hour Devotion, there is like 15+ of them, those who aren’t giving Communion sit. On a regular Sunday mass, the faithful who receive Communion return to their pew and kneel for some time, but most are sitting before the priest closes the Tabernacle. I’m not saying this is the norm, but that’s how my parish does it.
 
I keep kneeling until I feel like I should stop kneeling which is usually well after the Tabernacles closes and right before they make the announcements
 
Oneofthewomen said:
For all those who say that kneeling is a must until the tabernacle is closed, I ask for a citation
The GIRM for the US does it address this at all, other than to say that the local ordinary has the final say.

That said, while kneeling is a pious gesture, it is not required.
We really need to stop making up our own rules based on what “I prefer” or “I think”.
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I agree. One is not more “holy” because they knelt longer than others…I’ve run into those who think as such. Not anyone on this forum for sure JMO.
 
Oneofthewomen said:
For all those who say that kneeling is a must until the tabernacle is closed, I ask for a citation
The GIRM for the US does it address this at all, other than to say that the local ordinary has the final say.

That said, while kneeling is a pious gesture, it is not required.
We really need to stop making up our own rules based on what “I prefer” or “I think”.
Click to expand...
This question came up after one of the instructional meeting that our pastor had a few years ago on the Liturgy of the Mass. "When should we sit after Communion? Should we wait until after the priest sits down? There may not be an official rule on it but our pastor has told us that it is deemed proper to sit after the tabernacle has been closed. Of course, we do not have to sit after the tabernacle has been closed either.
 
ignatius777 said:
It has been my training and understanding that we should remain kneeling until the tabernacle has been closed AND all priests are sitting.
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It used to be our custom to wait until after the priest sat down to sit and I personally don’t think that there is anything wrong with that courtesy shown to the priest. But our current pastor was rather insistent a few years ago, that we not wait for him to sit down and that the proper time to sit is after the tabernacle has been closed. That is where he wanted our focus and not on him. Whether or not he was overreacting, I think that we should do what our pastor wants us to do in this situation.
 
I stay kneeling until the Tabernacle is closed and the priest is seated.

Tabernacle because that is Jesus.

Priest because he is in the office of Jesus.

Plus I really love to kneel in prayer. 🙂
 
I kneel until the tabernacle is closed and the priests sits down. After that, I sit until the closing prayers.
 
From:Chapter II: The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements, and Its Parts
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-2.cfm
Gestures and Bodily Posture
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  1. The gestures and bodily posture of both the Priest, the Deacon, and the ministers, and also of the people, must be conducive to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, to making clear the true and full meaning of its different parts, and to fostering the participation of all.[52] Attention must therefore be paid to what is determined by this General Instruction and by 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.
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A common bodily posture, to be observed by all those taking part, is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered together for the Sacred Liturgy, for it expresses the intentions and spiritual attitude of the participants and also fosters them.
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  1. The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance Chant, or while the Priest approaches the altar, until the end of the Collect; for the Alleluia Chant before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer; and from the invitation, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren), before the Prayer over the Offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated here below.
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The faithful should sit, on the other hand, during the readings before the Gospel and the Responsorial Psalm and for the Homily and during the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory; and, if appropriate, they may sit or kneel during the period of sacred silence after Communion.
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**In the Dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause. However, 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 (Lamb of God) unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.[53]
**
For the sake of uniformity in gestures and bodily postures during one and the same celebration, the faithful should follow the instructions which the Deacon, a lay minister, or the Priest gives, according to what is laid down in the Missal.
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  1. Among gestures are included also actions and processions, by which the Priest, with the Deacon and ministers, goes to the altar; the Deacon carries the Evangeliary or Book of the Gospels to the ambo before the proclamation of the Gospel; the faithful bring up the gifts and come forward to receive Communion. It is appropriate that actions and processions of this sort be carried out with decorum while the chants proper to them are sung, in accordance with the norms laid down for each.
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There is nothing that requires one to kneel from after the reception of the Eucharist. In the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon when the GIRM was released the Bishop instructed the faithful to stand after the great Amen until Communion and after receiving one was instructed they could take whatever posture they found most prayerful … In the Archdiocese of Honolulu the Bishop instructed the faithful to stand until the last communicant had received communion …

no where is the instruction recounted here to kneel until the Tabernacle id closed after the last communicant has received …I say that - even though I am one who knees after I have received until the Tabernacle is closed … 🤷 it is not a rule
 
I tend to kneel whilst waiting to receive until it’s time to leave my pew, and then I kneel on my return until the announcements, when the priest gets up from his seat.
 
Wow, I guess I should be thankful that my parish/diocese doesn’t mandate that everyone stands after receiving (as that wouldn’t be my preference). I may also be sensitive to this issue because multiple parishioners genuflect to the pew – facing away from the tabernacle – before sitting. I don’t think many have an idea of the purpose of genuflecting or kneeling re: the living presence.
 
YADA said:
From:Chapter II: The Structure of the Mass, Its Elements, and Its Parts
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-2.cfm

There is nothing that requires one to kneel from after the reception of the Eucharist. In the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon when the GIRM was released the Bishop instructed the faithful to stand after the great Amen until Communion and after receiving one was instructed they could take whatever posture they found most prayerful … In the Archdiocese of Honolulu the Bishop instructed the faithful to stand until the last communicant had received communion …

no where is the instruction recounted here to kneel until the Tabernacle id closed after the last communicant has received …I say that - even though I am one who knees after I have received until the Tabernacle is closed … 🤷 it is not a rule
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Agreed.
However, as a Church employee I have observed countless people at countless Masses where they stand…and I would defy anyone to claim that standing is prayerful. I observe people tapping other on the arm as they pass the pew in the communion line, I’ve had people walk past me in the front row and attempt to squeeze my had. Of course they do this as a gesture of affection. But it’s not prayerful. They’re not thinking about Christ in their midst. They’re looking at each other’s outfits, shoes, they are looking around, they are watching the EMHC’s, etc. Perhaps they’re praying.
I’l bet not. Compare that to the recent First Communion Mass. The children all knelt and they had their eyes closed in deep prayer. They told me they prayed for their parents, their friends, their siblings, grandparents, the priest, and kids who had no home or no school to go to. They thank Jesus and delighted in the Eucharist. children “get” it.
We forget it sometimes.
:twocents:
Just my 2 cents.
 
Were I go ,we knee after communion, then we sit,and then the priest stand,s and we get up for the ending of Mas, were he Bless us,then we sing and wait for the priest to go back,and then we leave.
 
gracepoole said:
Wow, I guess I should be thankful that my parish/diocese doesn’t mandate that everyone stands after receiving (as that wouldn’t be my preference). I may also be sensitive to this issue because multiple parishioners genuflect to the pew – facing away from the tabernacle – before sitting. I don’t think many have an idea of the purpose of genuflecting or kneeling re: the living presence.
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It might seem that way, but then again, you do not know what is in their minds. I’ve seen priests, who I know are very devout go into the sanctuary and genuflect while at the same time they are looking around to see if things are in proper order. We all observe what others do. It’s part of our nature. But I try to stay focused more on what I do than what others do.
 
zab said:
It might seem that way, but then again, you do not know what is in their minds. I’ve seen priests, who I know are very devout go into the sanctuary and genuflect while at the same time they are looking around to see if things are in proper order. We all observe what others do. It’s part of our nature. But I try to stay focused more on what I do than what others do.
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Perhaps you misunderstand – I’m not judging my fellow parishioners. I am instead noting a curious habit of theirs that doesn’t seem to denote understanding of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. Of course I don’t know what’s in their minds, which is why I don’t judge their hearts. But clearly something is eyebrow-raising when not genuflecting or not acknowledging the tabernacle when doing so is closer to the norm than an exception. If one doesn’t attend Catholic schools and one’s parents don’t instruct her in something like genuflection, how is she to learn why this action is done in the first place, let alone how to do it? Same thing with kneeling after Communion. It always seems to me that when a parish sits when the priest sits (rather than relating the action to the closing of the tabernacle), reverence is being given to the priest rather than the Sacrament. I don’t know if this is what’s in people’s minds – I don’t know that they’ve even thought about it. It’s now just a rote action that’s performed weekly without thought.
 
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