Kneeling during mass

[fromtheplaines]

I was at mass this weekend and while I was kneeling I felt a few pops in my lower back from a old rugby injury. I hate to be that guy and ask a dumb question. But is there a different way to kneel so all the pressure isn’t on the back. It’s just really distracting so its hard to concentrate. And I was thinking of going to Latin mass and I hear tree is a lot more kneeling

 

[capablanca911]

I was at mass this weekend and while I was kneeling I felt a few pops in my lower back from a old rugby injury. I hate to be that guy and ask a dumb question. But is there a different way to kneel so all the pressure isn’t on the back. It’s just really distracting so its hard to concentrate. And I was thinking of going to Latin mass and I hear tree is a lot more kneeling

You can sort of sit on your feet, and lean forward with your elbows propped up on the pew with hands clasped as if in prayer.

Or you can start going to an Eastern Catholic Church where the norm is to stand.

 

[maltmom]

I have problems with my back. I can’t stand or kneel very long. Lately I’ve had to kneel and sit on the edge of the pew. It takes a lot of pressure off my lower back and hip.

 

[Nigel7]

I have back issues (herniated discs). I don’t use the kneelers, but rather just kneel on the floor and rest my forearms on the pew in front of me, sometimes also resting my butt against the pew seat behind me.
I am pretty tall, and the kneelers make for bad posture and a lot of stress on the lower back. Kneeling on the floor alleviates a lot of the stress, especially when kneeling for long periods.

 

[Immacolata]

I have problems with my back. I can’t stand or kneel very long. Lately I’ve had to kneel and sit on the edge of the pew. It takes a lot of pressure off my lower back and hip.

This reminds me of people of my parish; I’ve seen those with canes, instead of kneeling, put the kneeler down and lean forward slightly, or sit on the edge of the pew. Perhaps, OP, you could do that?

 

[maltmom]

This reminds me of people of my parish; I’ve seen those with canes, instead of kneeling, put the kneeler down and lean forward slightly, or sit on the edge of the pew. Perhaps, OP, you could do that?

It really helps me. I can kneel or get in a kneel/sit position. I can’t genuflect all the way to the floor. I go down as far as I can. If I’m really hurting I’ll just do a deep bow and hold it before sitting down.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I was at mass this weekend and while I was kneeling I felt a few pops in my lower back from a old rugby injury. I hate to be that guy and ask a dumb question. But is there a different way to kneel so all the pressure isn’t on the back. It’s just really distracting so its hard to concentrate. And I was thinking of going to Latin mass and I hear tree is a lot more kneeling

You can do the “tripod” kneel, where you use the kneeler but then sit back and rest your behind on the edge of the pew. I can only kneel for a short time now without pain, so I alternate between the “sitting” kneel and the regular one. If you watch, I’m sure you’ll see people doing this at Mass. I don’t like it because it seems lazy to me, but my knees really scream at me sometimes.

 

[gh4]

Due to back and leg issues, I can’t always kneel. If I can’t, I just sit in the pew. Sometimes I can kneel. If people think I’m lazy, then so be it, I can’t help that, I do what I can. I think jumping up and screaming with back spasms and/or leg cramps might be a little more disruptive than sitting in the pew in my case.

 

[TiggerS]

I have a back injury, but often can manage to kneel for a minute or two prior to Mass. I try to kneel at the Consecration and again at The Doxology and Great Amen. I am able to kneel on the kneeler for a minute or two, something of a struggle to get up again - but I can manage. I try to kneel too for the beginning of The Communion Rite : “This is the Lamb of God…”
On arriving and departing, I bow to The Blessed Eucharist - if I tried to genuflect, I would probably fall over.
I dont think people take any notice at all of what others do or do not do - any problem is probably most often one’s own in thinking that they do - and thus one’s own problem to address. Not only this, but we cannot control the thoughts of others, thankfully. And we are all thinking as long as we are awake most often.

 

[ccharless]

I have a lower back injury but the Missionaries of Charity taught me a little trick. If you kneel on your knees in bare feet , then hook your big toe and the next toe over your achilles tendon on the other foot, it puts the pressure higher up on your back so you will not have trouble with lower back injuries. This is also a penance because you may experience some pain in your knees. It will also push your back straight and into a better prayer position. As it was explained to me, it is better to take Communion in bare feet anyway, as this in itself is a penance. Remember, it is not necessary to kneel if there is a medical reason not to do so. Hope this helps!

 

[taylormcbee]

I have back issues (herniated discs). I don’t use the kneelers, but rather just kneel on the floor and rest my forearms on the pew in front of me, sometimes also resting my butt against the pew seat behind me.
I am pretty tall, and the kneelers make for bad posture and a lot of stress on the lower back. Kneeling on the floor alleviates a lot of the stress, especially when kneeling for long periods.

I agree with the above, kneeling on the floor is definetly easier , I am 6 ft one inch tall and kneeling on the floor is just better for me