Kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament

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Fine, do your own personal survey. Go to each church in your diocese and let us know the percentage of empty pews. Find out how many seminaries have closed in the past forty years and the attendance levels of those remaining open. Ask your Catholic friends if they believe in the Real Presence, when their last confession was, the last time they went to a Eucharistic Adoration, said the rosary, know what the Angelus is, the seven deadly sins, stuff like that.
 
CDW Prefect on Kneeling for Holy Communion

An interview with Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (CDW), appeared in the February edition of the Italian magazine 30 Giorni (30 Days), in which the cardinal responded to several questions on liturgy. Following are excerpts from the interview, in which he strongly endorses Pope Benedict’s practice of administering Communion on the tongue to people who are kneeling.

30 Giorni: What are, beyond those which we already talked about, the issues you will have to address in carrying out this new mission?

Cardinal Cañizares: To help the Church to follow completely what the Second Vatican Council has indicated in the Constitution, Sacrosanctum Concilium. To help to understand fully what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about the liturgy. To take to heart what the Holy Father — when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — has written about the question, especially in the beautiful book The Spirit of the Liturgy. To take to heart how the Holy Father — assisted by the office for liturgical celebrations headed by Monsignor Guido Marini — celebrates the liturgy. The papal liturgies in fact have always been, and still are, exemplary for the whole Catholic world.

30 Giorni: In an interview granted in Spain [in the journal La Razón] you have praised the pope’s decision to distribute the Eucharist, in the liturgies which he celebrates, only kneeling and only in the mouth. Are there changes to be expected in this regard in universal discipline of the Church?

Cardinal Cañizares: As is known, the current universal discipline of the Church requires that as a norm Communion is distributed into the mouth of the faithful. Then there is an indult that allows, at the request of episcopates, to distribute Communion on the palm of the hand also. This is worth remembering. The pope, then, to give greater prominence to the due reverence with which we must approach the Body of Christ, wished that the faithful who receive Communion from his hands do so on their knees. This seemed to me a beautiful and edifying initiative of the Bishop of Rome. The present norms do not require anyone to do the same. But neither do they prevent it.

April 2009
adoremus.org/0409CDW_Kneeling.html
 
Why don’t we quit with the GIRM and other references and just admit we have become too lazy to give proper reverence to Our Lord. It seems as though Jesus is just a good ol’ boy whom we can have a beer with. We seem to have lost that He is God incarnate and while we can go to him with our problems, worries, hardships, and He will listen to us; He is still God and deserving of all our love, adoration and reverence. What have we done with Him, in many churches (aside from all the mumbo jumbo of new rules etc…) is we have put Him in a corner and forgotten Him. He is no longer the focal point of the church. We have forgotten that when we are in His house we are in His presense, and yet we rattle on and on about the ball game, gossip about our neighbors but don’t stop for a minute to talk to Him. The church has become a social place rather than a place of prayer. During mass we are looking at our watches hoping the sermon is short because we don’t have time for a long winded priest. A child starts crying in church and we get annoyed by it rather than offer it up as a penance. We have one hour every sunday to spend with God, and yet we don’t take full advantage of it. The minute mass is done, we are out the door racing to get to our next event and think, well mass is done for this week. In relation to this topic of kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament (and again aside from what ever GIRM or whatever says) why do we find it hard to kneel? Banning physical problems that may prevent someone from doing it, we should just do it, just kneel. If most people in your church do not kneel, be the one to start a trend. Don’t be vain and not do it because of what others think, do it because of what HE thinks.
 
beachfront said:
I am beginning to regret that I started this discussion with my observation that no one in the church I attend genuflects or bows upon approaching the the consecrated elements in Communion. Last year, when God tapped me on the shoulder and I started my journey to the Roman Catholic Church, I went to the bookstore and bought several books, including the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults. I read it front to back and agreed with everything written there. I looked back today to see where I got the idea that genuflecting is done in Catholic Churches, even though the two churches I have been attending had no one genuflecting at all when approachng Jesus, no one nodded, and I became confused. I genuflected, as I didn’t want to offend the Lord. I did get some looks, but I didn’t slow up anyone, just wanted to show total respect for Jesus in the Host. I am thinking as I approach, My Lord and My God. The genuflect is really the only thing I can do to show total respect (as when meeting the Queen of England, for example).
On page 223 of the USCCA: “As a sign of adoration, Latin Catholics genuflect to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the tabernacle or genuflect or kneel when the Blessed Sacreament is exposed for prayer. Eastern Catholics show their reverence by a profound bow rather than a genuflection…” I realize that might refer to the Adoration of Jesus, and not necessarily when approaching Jesus during Communion.
Again, I am sorry to have started such a conversation, because it seems that many Catholics have differing opinions. For myself, and for what it’s worth from a former Protestant’s observation, genuflecting as approaching the Blessed Sacrament would seem to be a privilege, as we are approaching God Himself, who has chosen to be with us. I am in such awe of the entire Church, her teachings, her strong stand for morals, her benevolent attitude toward other Christians, and her staying power and long line of leadership, and most of all, the Eucharist given to us by Christ…I can barely contain myself when attending Mass. I get a little weepy when I consider what the priest is doing at the altar, and that angels are all around, worshipping with us. Catholics have such a gem!
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beachfront:

Please do not be upset or concerned. In every family, even the most profoundly religious,
there is always some bickering and a bit of disagreement. It doen’t mean that my way is better than yours, or vice versa. This is usually our way ( in the Latin Rite ) to let our feelings known, and sooner than later we all come to an agreement. Regardless, there is rarely any hard feelings and we all still obey our bishops and the Pope and Magisterium.
( Although I should mention some hard-heads who think they know it all do leave the
Church)

There are also many Rites within the Catholic Church ( Melkite, Ruthenian, Coptic, etc. )
to which one may go to if he/she feels uncomfortable with the rules in the Latin Rite.

God Bless and welcome home!

PAX DOMINI :signofcross:

Shalom Aleichem
 
“Every Knee Must Bend”
No bodily posture so clearly expresses the soul’s interior reverence before God as the act of kneeling. Reciprocally, the posture of kneeling reinforces and deepens the soul’s attitude of reverence.

Jesus knelt to pray in the Garden of Olives on the eve of His death (Luke 22:41). Stephen knelt down to pray for his persecutors as they prepared to kill him (Acts 7:60). At Joppa Peter knelt down next to the corpse of Tabitha to pray before calling her back to life (Acts 9:40). Paul, after giving his final farewell to the elders of the church of Ephesus, “… knelt down with them all and prayed… Then they escorted him to the ship.” (Acts 20:36, 38)

In his letter to the Philippians (2:8-11), Paul speaks of the Lord Jesus in magnificent poetic strokes:

"He was known to be of human estate and it was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!

Because of this, God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name above every other name,

So that at Jesus’ name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father:

Jesus Christ Is Lord!"

The general norm of the universal Church is that the congregation kneel at the consecration of the Mass (GIRM 21). Further, the long and venerable custom of United States Catholics of kneeling for the entire Eucharistic Prayer was reaffirmed by our episcopal conference in 1969 for the post-Vatican Council era. And, of course, the practice of genuflecting before the Blessed Sacrament is a norm for Catholics around the world:

“Genuflection on one knee is prescribed before the Blessed Sacrament whether it be reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration.” (Eucharistiae Sacramentum [ES] 84)

John R. Keating
Bishop of Arlington

adoremus.org/docKeatingLtr88.html
 
Ockham said:
Source? And please, not the GIRM.
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Yes, please, let’s not refer to the liturgical law that the Holy See provides governing the Eucharistic celebration in the Roman Rite.

Thank you! Finally, maybe, we can be free of that.

Sarcasm intended, with apologies.
 
Saskatoon (cool name) allow me to introduce Digger (It’s in the GIRM") dommer. It won’t matter how much history, tradition, logic, theology, teaching from popes, saints or other wise Catholics, if it’s in the GIRM that is all that matters to him and a few others. Don’t even bother asking why something was changed in the GIRM, how certain post-V2 fads came about, or whether they will weaken the Church, if it’s in the GIRM, then it’s in the GIRM.
 
CWBetts said:
The GIRM is not infallible Magisterium.
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I never said it was.

So what?

Are Catholics only obliged to follow what’s been defined infallibly? I thought Catholics were obliged to adhere to the Magisterium as an authority regardless of whether infallibility was clearly exercised. Or are you suggesting we can pick and choose what to follow?
 
Ockham said:
Saskatoon (cool name) allow me to introduce Digger (It’s in the GIRM") dommer. It won’t matter how much history, tradition, logic, theology, teaching from popes, saints or other wise Catholics, if it’s in the GIRM that is all that matters to him and a few others. Don’t even bother asking why something was changed in the GIRM, how certain post-V2 fads came about, or whether they will weaken the Church, if it’s in the GIRM, then it’s in the GIRM.
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Nice personal attack. Yes, if you review the postings I’ve contributed on the thread there’s no doubt anyone would come to the same conclusion. See for yourself.
 
It was not meant to be an attack, merely saving someone else from frustration. I started our exchange in the spirit of the second spiritual work of mercy but alas my efforts were wasted. Enjoy your bliss.
 
Ockham said:
It was not meant to be an attack, merely saving someone else from frustration. I started our exchange in the spirit of the second spiritual work of mercy but alas my efforts were wasted. Enjoy your bliss.
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Sorry if I misinterpreted you. I didn’t read anything in your post relevant to the subject, I read your comments about me. It seemed you were resorting to an ad hominem attack. Did what you wrote respond to the topic of this thread in a way I missed? Or did it respond to the numerous questions people have posted to your comments that you have continued to neglect?. Thanks. Sorry again if I misunderstood you.
 
What are the comments you accuse me of neglecting?

Was my introduction of you incorrect? Do you have anything to offer this thread other than “it’s in the GIRM”? I have posted several sources in this thread and the other and yet you haven’t responded with anything more that “so what”.

Why haven’t you responded to my question as to why you refuse to kneel before your Lord, or is the answer, “it’s in the GIRM”?

Playing the victim may be your last resort as you haven’t provided anything significant to this discussion. I have taken the time to provide sources to guide you. If you can’t acknowledge my efforts with anything other than false accusations then move on to a less challenging thread.
 
Ockham said:
Why haven’t you responded to my question as to why you refuse to kneel before your Lord, or is the answer, “it’s in the GIRM”?
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I don’t refuse to kneel before the Lord. Where do you think I said otherwise? Please, show us in this thread where I said what you claim.
 
Actually, I don’t care if you genuflect or stand, receive Communion in hand or on tongue, go to Mass or not. I don’t want to keep lowering this thread to your level. If you can’t discuss the information I have provided then go find some other thread based solely on opinion and conjecture. Thank you for the one item you have contributed: it’s in the (current) GIRM.
 
*Redemptionis Sacramentum

On certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist

By: The Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments
  1. The distribution of Holy Communion
[88.] The faithful should normally receive sacramental Communion of the Eucharist during Mass itself, at the moment laid down by the rite of celebration, that is to say, just after the Priest celebrant’s Communion.[172] It is the Priest celebrant’s responsibility to minister Communion, perhaps assisted by other Priests or Deacons; and he should not resume the Mass until after the Communion of the faithful is concluded. Only when there is a necessity may extraordinary ministers assist the Priest celebrant in accordance with the norm of law.[173]

[89.] “So that even by means of the signs Communion may stand out more clearly as a participation in the Sacrifice being celebrated”,[174] it is preferable that the faithful be able to receive hosts consecrated in the same Mass.[175]

[90.] “The faithful should receive Communion kneeling or standing, as the Conference of Bishops will have determined”, with its acts having received the recognitio of the Apostolic See. “However, if they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that they give due reverence before the reception of the Sacrament, as set forth in the same norms”.[176]

[91.] In distributing Holy Communion it is to be remembered that “sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them”.[177] Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. Therefore, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing.

[92.] Although each of the faithful always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, at his choice,[178] if any communicant should wish to receive the Sacrament in the hand, in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission, the sacred host is to be administered to him or her. However, special care should be taken to ensure that the host is consumed by the communicant in the presence of the minister, so that no one goes away carrying the Eucharistic species in his hand. If there is a risk of profanation, then Holy Communion should not be given in the hand to the faithful.[179]

[93.] The Communion-plate for the Communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.[180]*

catholicnewsagency.com/resource.php?n=759

As pointed out by others ad nauseum, current norms allow for Communion in hand while standing. Remember this wasn’t the case for the past 1500 years or so, but that’s another matter. What is significant here is if one chooses to receive in hand while standing - other things are required. If one chooses to receive on tongue while kneeling no such stipulations apply. Therefore, kneeling is more reverent than standing and on tongue is better than in hand.
 
diggerdomer said:
I never said it was.

So what?

Are Catholics only obliged to follow what’s been defined infallibly? I thought Catholics were obliged to adhere to the Magisterium as an authority regardless of whether infallibility was clearly exercised. Or are you suggesting we can pick and choose what to follow?
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was merely pointing out a fact, and you respond by calling me a cafeteria Catholic. Sheesh! So much for charity…
 
And to clear the matter…I receive on the tongue, while standing. I show proper reverence to the Blessed Sacrament bu genuflecting before receiving. I suppose somehow the Liturgy police are still going to accuse me of liturgical abuse…
 
Some have suggested the priest takes you aside and give you a talking to. Too much reverence can be a bad thing apparently.
 
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