Kneeling at Exposition

[steve975]

I you go to Exposition, is it acceptable to sit if you’re there for a while or should you be kneeling the entire time no matter how long you’re there?

 

[curlycool89]

I you go to Exposition, is it acceptable to sit if you’re there for a while or should you be kneeling the entire time no matter how long you’re there?

I think sitting is fine after a while. When we have adoration at our chapel we don’t have kneelers (just a carpeted floor), so while most people will start kneeling, after ~5-10 minutes everyone is sitting (and praying).

 

[Anthony_B]

Sitting is perfectly acceptable.

 

[Brooklyn]

If I’m only at Adoration for a relatively short period of time, say a 1/2 hour or less, I tend to kneel the whole time. But if it’s longer, and especially for something like all night adoration, I have to sit part of the time.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Remember that kneeling is an outward sign of reverence. If you remain reverent inside, like being totally focused on Christ and being in prayer, then I do not see why you cannot sit down.

 

[Brooklyn]

Remember that kneeling is an outward sign of reverence. If you remain reverent inside, like being totally focused on Christ and being in prayer, then I do not see why you cannot sit down.

You are absolutely right, of course. I just find that kneeling helps me to be in a more reverent state of mind. And I have to confess that sometimes when I sit, I will find myself nodding off.

 

[ConstantineTG]

You are absolutely right, of course. I just find that kneeling helps me to be in a more reverent state of mind. And I have to confess that sometimes when I sit, I will find myself nodding off.

Right, the inward and the outward complements each other. I’m just saying that sitting is not disrespectful if our minds and our hearts are in the right place. There will be reasons for people to prefer sitting. I would do the same as you, I would kneel as long as I can. I find that I can kneel for a long time but have a hard time standing up afterwards or even walking. I may sit a while after even after I’m done with my prayers just because I can’t walk out just yet

 

[Edward_H]

After you pay your respects to God, sit and chat for a while, just like you would to your earthy father.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

An old Jesuit told us, years ago, that if we want to do penance then kneel. If we want to converse with God, which is what prayer is, then get comfortable.

 

[thomas_jd]

One genuflects upon entering the chapel or church prior to entering your pew. Also when leaving the pew. During Adoration either kneeling or sitting is acceptable yet I find kneeling the most reverant position other than the prone position. I rarely see anyone in the prone position longer than a minute or two, yet I see this position weekly at our chapel.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

Right, the inward and the outward complements each other. I’m just saying that sitting is not disrespectful if our minds and our hearts are in the right place. There will be reasons for people to prefer sitting. I would do the same as you, I would kneel as long as I can. I find that I can kneel for a long time but have a hard time standing up afterwards or even walking. I may sit a while after even after I’m done with my prayers just because I can’t walk out just yet

Of course for those of us with even minor disabilities kneeling for long periods can become so painful that it distracts from prayer.