Kneeling to receive still a choice?

[Matt33]

My discussion is the following. Do you think one can still kneel to recieve at a regular mass if one waits until the end. I was told that tripping is the biggest reason why people are discouraged from kneeling. I am under the impresion that one would actualy be refused? Any thoughts?

 

[Geremia]

My discussion is the following. Do you think one can still kneel to recieve at a regular mass if one waits until the end. I was told that tripping is the biggest reason why people are discouraged from kneeling. I am under the impresion that one would actualy be refused?

Sadly this happens.

Any thoughts?

One should be able to receive communion kneeling no matter what. It should not matter if it holds up the communion line because, really, what is the rush to get out of mass after communion?

 

[BrendanD]

From Rome: “refusal of Holy Communion to a member of the faithful on the basis of his or her kneeling posture to be a grave violation of one of the most basic rights of the Christian faithful”

 

[stinkyweed]

Truth is it is up to your local Bishop policy on kneeing,BUT you should not be refused even with that. (know due to a little talk the priest had with me after a year of kneeing , seems it disturbed some others,so was asked not to for now that now was 4years ago and still ineffect)

 

[malphono]

This issue has been raised time and again in this and other fora here. Nonetheless, albeit that I’m an Easterner and this is not an issue that I have to deal with regularly, I’ll chime in: refusal in the OF to give HC to someone who prefers to kneel is somewhat typical of the post-conciliar mindset: the hermeneutic of rupture.

From Rome: “refusal of Holy Communion to a member of the faithful on the basis of his or her kneeling posture to be a grave violation of one of the most basic rights of the Christian faithful”

Roma locuta, causa finita.

 

[tcraig]

No one should be refused Holy Communion at the OF for kneeling. Rome is quite clear on this.

However, standing to receive is the norm at the OF. If following the norms of the mass is important at the EF, it is equally important to do so at the OF.

 

[rjs1]

I’ve said this repeatedly - it concerns me that so little notice is being taken of the Holy Father’s example.

At every mass, at which the Pope is celebrant, those receiving Holy Communion from him must receive kneeling and on the tongue. This was the case at every Papal mass during the World Youth Day celebrations here in Sydney.

On other posts people have told me that this is irrelevant. How dare Catholics dismiss the example of our Holy Father so casually!

Certainly the Church still permits Holy Communion in the hand and to a communicant who is standing - however, the Pope has made his preference known by what he now asks for at all his masses.

So to answer your question - not only CAN you receive Holy Communion kneeling, this is in fact, the way the Pope prefers you to receive it.

 

[IrishAm]

As the person behind you, deep in prayer, however, may I suggest that there is value (and charity) in stepping a little to the side rather than directly in front of the priest when you kneel, if kneeling is not the norm in the particular parish you are attending. The priest – who is actually looking at you – will recover more quickly than I may. And my lack of recovery may be a problem as I trip and fall on my face . . .

I would also request you question WHY you wish to kneel when it is not the norm, as opposed to “when in Rome do as the Romans do.” While I am deeply respectful of those who kneel in adoration and humility when they receive Our Lord – in any circumstances – I fear I have also known more than a few who are more in the “LOOK AT ME!! DO WHAT I’M DOING!!!” mode.

Personally, my act of humility is to do what the others are doing . . .as long as what they are doing is respectful and in line with the teachings of the Church.

 

[childofmary1143]

Roma locuta, causa finita.

You would think so, but disobedience reigns big time with regard to kneeling for communion. They will obfuscate, contradict and lie to prevent people from reverently knee for communion. Even people here subvert what Rome has said on this matter.

 

[dove51]

It depends on the parish. My NO parish discourages people from kneeling. The priest even told us not to during mass. Which is why I don’t go there anymore.

 

[una_fides]

No one should be refused Holy Communion at the OF for kneeling. Rome is quite clear on this.

However, standing to receive is the norm at the OF. If following the norms of the mass is important at the EF, it is equally important to do so at the OF.

You raise a good point here. I actually wondered the same thing. I personally prefer and have a strong desire to only receive Christ kneeling, but I wonder if out of obedience to the norm whether I should suck it up and receive standing after genuflecting, but then again even genuflecting is considered to be not the norm here anymore, and people are told they are supposed to bow and then receive. Then in practice most people often do not even bow or if they do they will do a small head nod.

I am of the opinion that if you disagree with the lack of reverence being showed through these new liberal norms of standing and bowing and/or if you strongly desire to receive the Lord in a more reverent form by kneeling, then it would not be wrong to go against the “norm” since you view the norm as being somewhat defective in the message it communicates and in its hindering you from giving God the reverence you feel he deserves. Kneeling to receive Communion was the norm for ages before and just to speed up the lines or to make the Mass seem more like protestant churches is not sufficient reason for me to do away with the norm of kneeling to receive Communion.

I am interested to see what thoughts anyone else on here may have concerning being obedient to norms of Mass.

 

[muffinmojo]

It’s acceptable to receive kneeling. At my OF parish there are maybe a dozen folks who receive kneeling regularly, and Father doesn’t mind. It doesn’t hold up the line, I’ve heard this thing of ‘tripping’ several times and I don’t understand it- how close are people standing in line??!? As long as they are, you know, conscious, it seems impossible that one would trip or even be alarmed by it.

It takes a brief moment to pause to receive in the hand, or on the tongue. It takes about 2 seconds longer to get on one knee(it’s quicker with just one knee, though two is still really quick), say ‘amen’, receive, and get up. Snap snap snap, done. No problem.

 

[palmas85]

As the person behind you, deep in prayer, however, may I suggest that there is value (and charity) in stepping a little to the side rather than directly in front of the priest when you kneel, if kneeling is not the norm in the particular parish you are attending. The priest – who is actually looking at you – will recover more quickly than I may. And my lack of recovery may be a problem as I trip and fall on my face . . .

I would also request you question WHY you wish to kneel when it is not the norm, as opposed to “when in Rome do as the Romans do.” While I am deeply respectful of those who kneel in adoration and humility when they receive Our Lord – in any circumstances – I fear I have also known more than a few who are more in the “LOOK AT ME!! DO WHAT I’M DOING!!!” mode.

Personally, my act of humility is to do what the others are doing . . .as long as what they are doing is respectful and in line with the teachings of the Church.

As you trip and fall on your face.

I take it by that statement that you are in fact approaching the Priest with your eyes closed or completely downcast looking only at your shoes. In that condition what is there to stop you from walking straight into the communicant in front of you or even the Priest for that matter and knocking them down? Seems as if that could just as easily happen as well

I have heard this old bugaboo about those behind the kneeler or genuflector for that matter tripping and sprawling out on the floor for years now… There have even been a few here and there who claim to have actually seen it:ehh:

I personally have never seen it happen or even seen anyone come close for that matter. At the Cathedral in San Diego,which I attended for years, particularly for daily Mass, you ran the gamut from those who received in the hand standing and kneeling, received on the tongue standing and kneeling, standing stock still, bowed their head, bowed at the waist, genuflected and knelt, all with absolutely no ill effects. So I tend to think this whole argument for not kneeling is just a tad on the self serving side and more than a little far fetched.

And before anyone think that I am promoting an agenda, I stand in the Pauline or kneel in the Pauline depending on the custom at that particular parish.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

My bishop has asked that we bow in reverence and then stand to receive at the OF. I do so in obedience to the bishop. My pastor doesn’t make an issue of it when someone kneels or genuflects.

 

[japhy]

The Church settled this issue 4 years ago in Redemptionis Sacramentum.

1. “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”.
2. 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”. 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.

So while the Episcopal Conference should decide on the standard posture (kneeling or standing), RS 91 clearly says that you cannot be denied Communion simply because you stand or kneel.

 

[lizaanne]

I have heard this old bugaboo about those behind the kneeler or genuflector for that matter tripping and sprawling out on the floor for years now… There have even been a few here and there who claim to have actually seen it:ehh:

Yep palmas - I agree!

Tailgating is tailgating - you get a ticket when you do it on the road. Pay attention, keep your eyes on where you need to go, and no one gets hurt. Or rear-ended.

~Liza

 

[TheDoctor]

My discussion is the following. Do you think one can still kneel to recieve at a regular mass if one waits until the end. I was told that tripping is the biggest reason why people are discouraged from kneeling. I am under the impresion that one would actualy be refused? Any thoughts?

Hi Matt. Japhy nailed the legal aspects with the section from Redemptionis Sacramentum. So, you should not be refused, but keep in mind that not all of our priests or EMHC may have been taught correctly.

That being the case, notice that RS also says “…not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner”.

What is a “reasonable manner” with respect to kneeling? You will probably get a lot of different opinions. Mine is that since the norm in the US is standing, a “reasonable manner” for someone who whould like to receive kneeling would be to approach the priest or ushers before Mass and explain what you would like to do and ask for the best way to do it (end of the line seems to make sense).

Don’t be surprised if Father or the ushers tell you that you can’t. Don’t be surprised if Father or the ushers approach you after Mass to discuss reception.

P.S. - Our parish is in the process of re-designing the Chruch or building a new one (still in the planning stage). Does anyone think it would be out of line for me to suggest an altar rail on one side of the Sanctuary so that those who want to receive kneeling can do so comfortably?

 

[malphono]

TheDoctor:

Hi Matt. Japhy nailed the legal aspects with the section from Redemptionis Sacramentum. So, you should not be refused, but keep in mind that not all of our priests or EMHC may have been taught correctly.

That may very well be the case. On the other hand, ignorance of the rule is not an excuse to break it. If someone is refused, he/she should take the matter to the pastor or, if that fails to resolve things, to the local ordinary. As I said in an earlier post in this thread: Roma locuta, causa finita.

 

[Dee_Dee_King]

the fact that our american catholic church has made this an issue is troubling enough. the way you worship determines what you believe.

does it surprise us that we have so much sacrilegious communion since they have proscribed communion in the had?

kneeling on the tongue is objectively a more pious way to receive holy communion.

i’m sick of this debate.

 

[PJM]

My discussion is the following. Do you think one can still kneel to recieve at a regular mass if one waits until the end. I was told that tripping is the biggest reason why people are discouraged from kneeling. I am under the impresion that one would actualy be refused? Any thoughts?

REPLY: The answer is you may! The real question is “can you?”

Rome say’s “no one is to be refused due to persoanl preference.”

It is a matter of good, better and best; NOT right or wrong:thumbsup: Good= standing and or in the hand; Better = genuflection and the tongue and Best= is Kneeling and on the tongue. Amen!

What your pastor or bishop chooses could be different.

You may wish to get your ducks lined up and then meet with your pastor B4 you try it?

Vatican II tells us that if 'Communion is received kneeling no other sign of Worship is required, because kneeling itself is a sign of Worship."

Keep in mind that the Pope has decided to ONLY give Holy Communion to those who knell and receive on the tongue. He is teaching us the BEST WAY!

I genuflect and receive on my tongue, and would kneel but would struggle greatly regaining my feet.

God bless you my friend.