Mass - leg cramp, one leg kneel ok?

[mek42]

I attended a Mass today in Chicago while on train layover. When I tried to kneel, my left leg cramped rather painfully. I was able to kneel on my right leg, so that is what I did.

Is this the least distracting (to other participants) thing to do in this case?

 

[otjm]

I attended a Mass today in Chicago while on train layover. When I tried to kneel, my left leg cramped rather painfully. I was able to kneel on my right leg, so that is what I did.

Is this the least distracting (to other participants) thing to do in this case?

If someone else notices you in pain, what your posture is will probable be distracting to them - and that is their personal issue, not yours. you are not intentionally doing something to distract them; you are responding to a medical issue which induces pain.

It would have been perfectly permissible to get up and go out, to try and walk the cramp off (which sometimes works); it would have been perfectly permissible to sit down, or to sit down and stretch out your leg.

If it only took standing up, then it would be less distracting to stand up and move to the back of church or the side (depending on where you were at the moment) rather than just stand in place. It is nice that you were concerned about others, but you have no control over their degree of distraction, or lack thereof. If it occurs again, just try to deal with it effectively and don’t get worried.

 

[Catholic1954]

I attended a Mass today in Chicago while on train layover. When I tried to kneel, my left leg cramped rather painfully. I was able to kneel on my right leg, so that is what I did.

Is this the least distracting (to other participants) thing to do in this case?

It’s fine; you could even sit if that was better for you.

 

[Petaro]

After a long train journey a cramp may well be the first sign of a deep vein thrombosis. If it continues check it out. Can be fatal. Far greater things to worry about than kneeling.

 

[pianistclare]

If someone else notices you in pain, what your posture is will probable be distracting to them - and that is their personal issue, not yours. you are not intentionally doing something to distract them; you are responding to a medical issue which induces pain.

It would have been perfectly permissible to get up and go out, to try and walk the cramp off (which sometimes works); it would have been perfectly permissible to sit down, or to sit down and stretch out your leg.

If it only took standing up, then it would be less distracting to stand up and move to the back of church or the side (depending on where you were at the moment) rather than just stand in place. It is nice that you were concerned about others, but you have no control over their degree of distraction, or lack thereof. If it occurs again, just try to deal with it effectively and don’t get worried.

Exactly. I had a very bad knee…it’s fine. The Lord knows your situation.

 

[Neofight]

Well, it depends: Are you in the United States, do you belong to a Traditional parish, is it the EF or OF, and what does the GIRM and Canon Law say?..Just kiddin’

Kneel on one leg, or don’t Kneel at all…reverence for God will be noted by Him by the disposition of your heart, not the posture of your body.

Rejoice in the Lord, always!

 

[3DOCTORS]

Well, it depends: Are you in the United States, do you belong to a Traditional parish, is it the EF or OF, and what does the GIRM and Canon Law say?..Just kiddin’

Kneel on one leg, or don’t Kneel at all….reverence for God will be noted by Him by the disposition of your heart, not the posture of your body.

Rejoice in the Lord, always!

^This^ - and if the pain is sudden or bad, I would second the possibility of having a doctor take a look. My dad died of an embolism, and I’m understandably alert to this possibility.

 

[mek42]

Thank you for the replies and concern. I think the issue is mostly fat and out of shape.