Kneeling Prior to receiving the host

[Sancto_Spiritu]

Change could certainly happen. But in the meantime, we follow the instructions of the GIRM as quoted in post #5. We are not free to make our own rules.

Yes, and luckily, kneeling is not against “the rules,” and therefore, I will continue to do it and encourage my friends to do the same.

 

[BrendanD]

It was about others kneeling in front of me, and upsetting my balance by doing something unexpected.

If someone in a line turns around suddenly and tells me, “I will be kneeling,” THAT act of turning around could be enough to cause me to be startled, lose my balance, and fall.

It would be better for the person to tell me this while we are sitting in the pew, and then to remind me right before we both stand up and process forward for Holy Communion.

Do you truly believe that caring for others and watching out for their safety and well-being is “lame?”

How about not walking so closely behind the person in front of you? That would be much easier than telling them they must stand (when the Church says that they may kneel) or asking them to give you two verbal reminders about their intended posture.

Personally, if I had a problem with crashing into the person in front of me when they stop for a moment, my first response would be to leave an extra step in between us, not accuse them of lacking “charity” and instruct them to refrain from a practice that is permitted by the Church.

I don’t mean to be rude, but this sounds like tailgating someone, rear-ending their car, and then blaming them for stopping too quickly.

 

[Mel_Stones]

Ok, some nice generalities there, but tell me, who made those decisions? And can you please provide me with some document expressing why?

The fact that the Vatican has been consistently touting Communion on the tongue and kneeling makes me wonder if there will soon be a sea change in how we do things.

Also, if the rest of the congregation jumped off of a cliff, would you? It would be the “preferred” thing to do, as everyone else was doing it.

This is turning into a :slapfight:

It doesn’t really matter - the fact remains that a dispensation exists.
The U.S. Bishops made the dispensation WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE VATICAN, the U.S. Bishops will never oppose the Vatican. I doubt if I found the proper documentation you’d except it anyway .
You say I generalized and yet accuse me of being willing to jump off a cliff .

 

[Sancto_Spiritu]

This is turning into a :slapfight:

It doesn’t really matter - the fact remains that a dispensation exists.
The U.S. Bishops made the dispensation WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE VATICAN, the U.S. Bishops will never oppose the Vatican. I doubt if I found the proper documentation you’d except it anyway .
You say I generalized and yet accuse me of being willing to jump off a cliff .

“Accept,” not “except.”

And you’ve still not offered me documentation. I am under no illusions that there is a proper dispensation, but I want to know who figured it out and why. As such an avid supporter of standing to receive Communion, you should know how to defend your position

 

[JimG]

To again quote the GIRM:

"The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm."So it gives the norm as standing, but does not require that communion be denied to those who kneel. It does say, though, that the matter should be addressed pastorally.

I’ve never known of an instance of someone being denied communion because of kneeling, and if I were a pastor, which I’m not, I would sure want to avoid getting into an argument with individual communicants who claim “my way is better!” So there’s probably not much pastoral counseling going on either.

If the GIRM were changed tomorrow to make kneeling the norm, my own pastor would be happy to abide by it, and so would I.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

It is perfectly acceptable to genuflect instead of bowing before receiving. I would just make sure that you or another family member is in line behind him so that someone doesn’t accidentally trip over him. At my parish, genuflecting is pretty common, and the space between people in the communion procession is a bit more than I’ve seen in other parishes and I think that is why.

 

[BrendanD]

It is perfectly acceptable to genuflect instead of bowing before receiving. I would just make sure that you or another family member is in line behind him so that someone doesn’t accidentally trip over him. At my parish, genuflecting is pretty common, and the space between people in the communion procession is a bit more than I’ve seen in other parishes and I think that is why.

Those who wish to kneel should take a step into kneeling IMO…step forward with the left foot, and then bring the right forward as you fall to the knee. Have seen this done thousands of times and nobody’s ever tripped.

 

[Sancto_Spiritu]

To again quote the GIRM:

"The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm."So it gives the norm as standing, but does not require that communion be denied to those who kneel. It does say, though, that the matter should be addressed pastorally.

I’ve never known of an instance of someone being denied communion because of kneeling, and if I were a pastor, which I’m not, I would sure want to avoid getting into an argument with individual communicants who claim “my way is better!” So there’s probably not much pastoral counseling going on either.

If the GIRM were changed tomorrow to make kneeling the norm, my own pastor would be happy to abide by it, and so would I.

Unfortunately, my sister was denied by Communion when kneeling at her Catholic school’s weekly Mass by a particularly militantly liberal priest. I’ve been approached by priests who say they don’t want me to be a “distraction” for others. I then reply "Maybe, Father, this is a good distraction. Maybe they should see someone showing appropriate respect to Christ in the traditional way. I’ve never received an answer for that other than “well, it’s the norm.”

 

[Sancto_Spiritu]

Those who wish to kneel should take a step into kneeling IMO…step forward with the left foot, and then bring the right forward as you fall to the knee. Have seen this done thousands of times and nobody’s ever tripped.

That’s exactly what I do.

 

[zab]

Several years ago, before the last directives were implemented, it was a little confusing for some people to know the proper way to receive Communion because some were genuflecting, some knelt and most remained standing. When the last directives were implemented, this issue was one of the things on the list. We were told that the proper way to receive Communion in the United States was to remain standing but we should show a sign of respect and that we should first bow before receiving Communion. Many of the people in our parish who once knelt or genuflected began to follow the directive as was stated even though no-one in our parish was forced to make any change. However, in some places, people were actually harrassed if they continued to kneel. After some clarification from the CDWDS it was made known that people who wanted to kneel to receive Communion were not to be harrassed about their decision to do so. It is not easy for many older people and some not so old people who have arthritis or degenerative bone disease in the knees or back problems etc. to kneel on the floor to receive Communion and then to get back up again. The use of Communion Rails made this a little easier and quicker but most churches no longer have Communion rails.

 

[Mel_Stones]

Unfortunately, my sister was denied by Communion when kneeling at her Catholic school’s weekly Mass by a particularly militantly liberal priest. I’ve been approached by priests who say they don’t want me to be a “distraction” for others. I then reply "Maybe, Father, this is a good distraction. Maybe they should see someone showing appropriate respect to Christ in the traditional way. I’ve never received an answer for that other than “well, it’s the norm.”

Showing appropriate respect? We’ve been over this man, bowing one’s head before receiving and receiving while standing IS appropriate.

I don’t honestly know where to find the proper documentation (although quotes form the GIRM have been given and that probably ought to be enough). I have submitted a question to the apologists and if they feel it worth answering, I’ll report to you their answer.

 

[OldRedleg]

For those of you wanting to know who approved the dispensation for communion in the hand the official decree from the Vatican was signed by Cardinal Jorge A. Medina Estevez, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on March 22, 2002 on behalf of Pope John Paul II.

On June 9, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI rescended the part of the indult that dealt with the cleansing of the sacred vessels after communion.

See usccb.org/liturgy/current/norms.shtml for details.

I am continually amazed at “Traditional Catholics” who will not submit to the authority of their Bishops and the Pope on these maters. If Pope Benedict XVI was opposed to communion in the hand being received while standing he would have forbidden it. Clearly he preferes to distribute communion on the tounge while the faithful kneel. But he has not condemned communion in the hand.

You are not a “bad” Catholic or being sacreligious by receiving in the jand while standing. In the final analysis it is what is in the heart and your internal disposition that is important.

 

[Sancto_Spiritu]

For those of you wanting to know who approved the dispensation for communion in the hand the official decree from the Vatican was signed by Cardinal Jorge A. Medina Estevez, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on March 22, 2002 on behalf of Pope John Paul II.

On June 9, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI rescended the part of the indult that dealt with the cleansing of the sacred vessels after communion.

See usccb.org/liturgy/current/norms.shtml for details.

I am continually amazed at “Traditional Catholics” who will not submit to the authority of their Bishops and the Pope on these maters. If Pope Benedict XVI was opposed to communion in the hand being received while standing he would have forbidden it. Clearly he preferes to distribute communion on the tounge while the faithful kneel. But he has not condemned communion in the hand.

You are not a “bad” Catholic or being sacreligious by receiving in the jand while standing. In the final analysis it is what is in the heart and your internal disposition that is important.

Who said anything about people who take Communion in the hand being “bad?” I certainly didn’t. That’s a straw man of the highest order.

Also, how am I not submitting to their authority when it explicitly says in the GIRM that they have no authority on this matter, because I cannot be refused Communion if I kneel?

 

[OldRedleg]

The GIRM provides guidance that is supposed to be followed by the faithful. While those who want to receive on their knees will not be denied, the Priest Celebrant is instructed to pastorally approach them and instruct them on the appropriate posture established for the faithful in the United States.

So, to continue to receive on your knees (in the United States) is in fact in defiance to the norm set forth by our Bishops, and approved by the Pope. It is your right to be defiant. But don’t try to make those who are obedient feel like they are lesser Catholics or doing something wrong or disrespectful.

Finally, we are called to adopt common postures as a community when at Mass as an expression of our unity of faith as Catholics.

In addition to serving as a vehicle for the prayer of beings composed of body and spirit, the postures and gestures in which we engage at Mass have another very important function. The Church sees in these common postures and gestures both a symbol of the unity of those who have come together to worship and a means of fostering that unity. We are not free to change these postures to suit our own individual piety, for the Church makes it clear that our unity of posture and gesture is an expression of our participation in the one Body formed by the baptized with Christ, our head. When we stand, kneel, sit, bow and sign ourselves in common action, we give unambiguous witness that we are indeed the Body of Christ, united in heart, mind and spirit.

*Secretariat for Divine Worship, USCCB. *​

 

[Sancto_Spiritu]

The GIRM provides guidance that is supposed to be followed by the faithful. While those who want to receive on their knees will not be denied, the Priest Celebrant is instructed to pastorally approach them and instruct them on the appropriate posture established for the faithful in the United States.

So, to continue to receive on your knees (in the United States) is in fact in defiance to the norm set forth by our Bishops, and approved by the Pope. It is your right to be defiant. But don’t try to make those who are obedient feel like they are lesser Catholics or doing something wrong or disrespectful.

Finally, we are called to adopt common postures as a community when at Mass as an expression of our unity of faith as Catholics.

Yep, I’m your friendly neighborhood defiant Catholic. Because, you know, I like engage in the ancient traditional way to receive Communion. That’s a dangerous, illicit, and indecent practice that should be stamped out for good. :tsktsk:

Your post is just plain cooky. If my eyes could roll any farther, they’d pop out of my head.

 

[Shin]

Would like to know if it’s it ok to kneel prior to receiving the host? My son wants to kneel, instead of bowing, & then stand to receive Holy Communion. What is the Church’s position on this?

Thanks for your insight!!

Brigid

I do it regularly, and it is completely permitted, by universal Church law. No one can tell you not to do it, nor restrict it. No local standards can prohibit or change it. Not in the USA, nor any other country, as it is universally permitted for Roman Catholics.

And also it is the most devout and appropriate sign, so that people understand the more how significant it is God is there, and you are the most reverent you can be in your posture.

Everyone who can should!

 

[Phemie]

To all those who want to see documents pertaining to posture during Mass I suggest you go to

adoremus.org/ChurchDocs.html

Scroll down to Vatican Documents, Statements from the Holy See There you will find any number of documents bearing on posture.

A reading of these will show that standing for Communion in the US is the norm but anyone who wishes to may kneel and is not to be denied Communion or even be considered disobedient or acting illicitly.

One document specifically allows genuflection instead of bow as sign of reverence if you’re receiving while standing.

 

[Sancto_Spiritu]

To all those who want to see documents pertaining to posture during Mass I suggest you go to

adoremus.org/ChurchDocs.html

Scroll down to Vatican Documents, Statements from the Holy See There you will find any number of documents bearing on posture.

A reading of these will show that standing for Communion in the US is the norm **but anyone who wishes to may kneel and is not to be denied Communion or even be considered disobedient or acting illicitly. **

One document specifically allows genuflection instead of bow as sign of reverence if you’re receiving while standing.

Ahh, my saving grace!

 

[zab]

Oh come onnnnnnnnnnn!

That is such a lame reason not to kneel. If you are THAT afraid of someone tripping over your feet, do as I do- turn around and whisper to the person behind you to watch out because you’ll be kneeling.

There is no need to belittle this woman because of her her fear of tripping. Cat was trying to share with you her experience. At least you could listen and try to understand where she is coming from.

 

[Sancto_Spiritu]

There is no need to belittle this woman because of her her fear of tripping. Cat was trying to share with you her experience. At least you could listen and try to understand where she is coming from.

I wasn’t belittling the woman, I was belittling her insistence that no one should kneel for Communion because she was afraid of tripping. Also, her dismissal of al solutions to the problem other than her solution (like informing people behind you that you’re kneeling) was patently ridiculous.

How did you know I didn’t listen (read) and “try to understand where she is coming from?” You’re not in my head so you can’t make that claim. Just because I vehemently disagreed with her doesn’t mean I’m belittling her.