Kneeling at Mass

[bottomboy]

I know that at certain points during mass I should be kneeling (for example until the host has been returned to the tabernacle) However, due to injuries sustained at work, kneeling is extremely painful to me. My parish priest gave me a dispensation from kneeling. Is this good enough?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

What more do you want?

If someone is physically unable to participate in a particular posture, then they are excused. You wouldn’t expect someone in a wheelchair to stand for the gospel. You wouldn’t expect someone with a knee injury to kneel.

Catholics are reasonable people!

 

[bottomboy]

Thank you
I thought so, It’s just that I have seen some people (think elderly) at my parish attempt to kneel when clearly they are in great pain and should not be doing so. I admire their piety, yet feel that they are… I don’t know. It hurts me to see them. One should not be expected to…but. I am relatively young (52) but my knees are 100 years old. How does one approach these very devout and backbone of our parish people and tell them that they have earned a rest from something their bodies just can’t do anymore?

 

[KendraDZ1902]

My knees pop out of place occasionally. It happened Saturday while I was getting ready for confession. I went to confession and stayed for the vigil. I couldn’t kneel very long, so I didn’t. God knew that I kneeled as long as I could, but I’m sure no one wanted me yelling out in pain, either.

Don’t worry yourself over things like this. :hug1:

 

[Regina7]

Thank you
I thought so, It’s just that I have seen some people (think elderly) at my parish attempt to kneel when clearly they are in great pain and should not be doing so. I admire their piety, yet feel that they are… I don’t know. It hurts me to see them. One should not be expected to…but. I am relatively young (52) but my knees are 100 years old. How does one approach these very devout and backbone of our parish people and tell them that they have earned a rest from something their bodies just can’t do anymore?

It’s not your place to approach other people. First of all, it may be rather insulting. Maybe the person is wincing in pain because s/he is thinking of the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. Or, if the person really is in physical pain, it’s really not your business. That is the person’s job to talk to the priest just like you did.

You should certainly not feel guilty for not kneeling. You have an actual reason, not laziness.

God bless!

 

[bottomboy]

Yes,
You are right. I will pray for those who hurt, and for humility for myself.

 

[7_Sorrows]

You don’t need to worry. You have a good reason. My knees aren’t very good either. Sometimes I am not able to remain kneeling and have to remain seated.

 

[Mr_Clean]

You pansy! You must complete the penance listed below for even asking such a question. Enjoy

Pilgrimage

Mt. Croagh Patrick is the most important Catholic pilgrimage destination in Ireland. Nearly one million visitors, most of them pilgrims, climb to the top every year. Almost 30,000 pilgrims make the trek on the last Sunday in July, known as “Reek Sunday.”

For most Catholics who visit Mt. Croagh Patrick, especially on Reek Sunday, the pilgrimage to the top of the sacred mountain is an act of penance. Accordingly, some untake the journey barefoot or even on their knees. The summit has a small chapel where Mass is held each day.

The full pilgrimage route originates in the village of Murrisk, 8km outside Westport. The first main sight on the pilgrimage path is a statue of St. Patrick,erected in 1928 by a Westport pastor. Although it is not one of the official stations (see below), it has become a place of prayer and makes a good goal for those not able to climb all the way to the top.

 

[Joan_M]

Thank you
I thought so, It’s just that I have seen some people (think elderly) at my parish attempt to kneel when clearly they are in great pain and should not be doing so. I admire their piety, yet feel that they are… I don’t know. It hurts me to see them. One should not be expected to…but. I am relatively young (52) but my knees are 100 years old. How does one approach these very devout and backbone of our parish people and tell them that they have earned a rest from something their bodies just can’t do anymore?

You don’t. They are not expected to continue to kneel when it is painful, and, I’m sure that most, if not all, know that. However, some deliberately choose to continue to kneel in penance for either their own sins or those of others. It is their free choice and not anyone elses business. If you wish, pray for them - not to stop, but in gratitude for their love - for love it is.

 

[Mark1970]

I know that at certain points during mass I should be kneeling (for example until the host has been returned to the tabernacle) However, due to injuries sustained at work, kneeling is extremely painful to me. My parish priest gave me a dispensation from kneeling. Is this good enough?

I don’t kneel at Mass either. My kneel get quite painful if I kneel for any length of time. Also I was told a few years ago that there may be a problem with the circulation in my legs, and I’m worried that kneeling may make things worse. So you’re not alone in this! Although I must admit that at Mass, I tend to sit near the back out of concern for people seeing me sitting rather than kneeling and get offended because I’m not kneeling .

 

[Boy_Wonder]

I know that at certain points during mass I should be kneeling (for example until the host has been returned to the tabernacle) However, due to injuries sustained at work, kneeling is extremely painful to me. My parish priest gave me a dispensation from kneeling. Is this good enough?

If you were injured and kneeling causes distress or aggravates your condition then you are released from your obligation to kneel regardless of whether your parish priest gave you the OK. Kneeling is an outward sign of inner devotion. We kneel at Mass in the hope that the posture will help us to form a spirit of interior devotion.

I was on a walker for a month after surgery last summer and could not kneel during Mass for that month and some weeks afterwards. This forced me to focus on true interior devotion. It’s better to sit with attention, devotion, and love, than to kneel while distractedly thinking about other things. The interior disposition is what matters. Work on this. You’ll find yourself making great strides spiritually.