No kneeling at Mass

[andrewstx]

Kneeling is not the universal posture for prayer. In Eastern Catholic and Orthodox churches kneeling is actually forbidden between Pascha (Easter) and Pentecost. A lot of our churches have no seats at all (except a few for the infirm). We all stand for prayer.

Nothing bothers me more than the assumption that everyone is the same with the same capabilities. Nothing could be more wrong. I am infirm and just cannot kneel.

But I never sit to pray. I stand instead and I think stamding is the oldest custom.

 

[twf]

I have attended Mass where there were folding chairs and no kneelers.
Some people kneel on the floor, others remain seated and still others stand at those parts of the Mass where we are to kneel. I am unable to kneel on the floor so I don’t know which is more correct - to remain seated or to stand.

If you are unable to kneel, you should stand. Sitting is not appropriate during the Eucharistic Prayer. Kneeling is ideal, in the Roman Rite, as an expression of adoration, but standing is also a prayerful and respectful posture.

 

[Mongol]

I usually stand…my parish has a concrete floor and no kneelers (let alone padded ones) and it beats up my knees pretty bad to kneel on that surface. This is coming from an able-bodied 25 year old.

I remember going to a Tridentine parish where the altar boys put on kneepads under their cassocks!

Of course we should show prayer/adoration with our bodies and gestures, but it seems kind of silly to put ourselves through physical pain in order to do so. I’m reminded of these guys:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

That said, I usually kneel for communion, since it only takes a moment. What do you think? Is it ok to stand, or should I get a pair of kneepads?

 

[Wassermann]

As if there are no theological or scriptural reasons for kneeling?

I did not say that. You did. The constant arguing over posture (and not the posture itself) is most certainly a product of human ignorance, pride and control. This constant arguing most certainly has taken a toll.

I sometimes attend an Eastern Catholic parish. It’s a small place that tends to attract a fair number of “traditional Roman Rite Catholics.” In several cases they have been carefully catechized more than once not to genuflect or kneel while receiving Holy Communion. Yet they continue to. That is the purest example of misplaced pride I can think of.

On the other hand I once attended a Mass for people that never had been confirmed as children and a nun tried to physically lift me up (good luck!) while I was kneeling after communion. No question she had some sort of control issue. I didn’t make a scene, I simply whispered “get your hands off me” and that was that. Unfortunately others (“traditional Roman Rite Catholics”) were absolutely consumed by what had happened based on their comments at the banquet that followed. That was all they cared to talk about.

 

[Wassermann]

I usually stand…my parish has a concrete floor and no kneelers (let alone padded ones) and it beats up my knees pretty bad to kneel on that surface. This is coming from an able-bodied 25 year old.

I remember going to a Tridentine parish where the altar boys put on kneepads under their cassocks!

Of course we should show prayer/adoration with our bodies and gestures, but it seems kind of silly to put ourselves through physical pain in order to do so. I’m reminded of these guys:

That said, I usually kneel for communion, since it only takes a moment. What do you think? Is it ok to stand, or should I get a pair of kneepads?

Kneeling doesn’t bother me too much (I too have worn knee pads while serving Mass), but if I go to Mass somewhere that I know does not have kneelers, I take a $2.00 kneeling pad with me. No fuss, no muss.

 

[ProVobis]

That said, I usually kneel for communion, since it only takes a moment. What do you think? Is it ok to stand, or should I get a pair of kneepads?

I admit, that without the communion rail, kneeling can be quite disruptive, though the Vatican permits it. But is it fair to say you’re receiving standing since the lines generally move so quickly that people just slow down to receive?

 

[pianistclare]

I did not say that. You did. The constant arguing over posture (and not the posture itself) is most certainly a product of human ignorance, pride and control. This constant arguing most certainly has taken a toll.

I sometimes attend an Eastern Catholic parish. It’s a small place that tends to attract a fair number of “traditional Roman Rite Catholics.” In several cases they have been carefully catechized more than once not to genuflect or kneel while receiving Holy Communion. Yet they continue to. That is the purest example of misplaced pride I can think of.

On the other hand I once attended a Mass for people that never had been confirmed as children and a nun tried to physically lift me up (good luck!) while I was kneeling after communion. No question she had some sort of control issue. I didn’t make a scene, I simply whispered “get your hands off me” and that was that. Unfortunately others (“traditional Roman Rite Catholics”) were absolutely consumed by what had happened based on their comments at the banquet that followed. That was all they cared to talk about.

Thank you for posting this.
It often seems that in the midst of sharing our various faith traditions, we here tend to get in the mode of “all we want to talk about”. Often, we lose sight of Him who we aspire to praise and honor.
So grateful.
Peace, and welcome.

 

[ajecphotos]

If you want to kneel during the parts of the mass that are normally done kneeling but have to kneel on the floor then do it. I have done this myself. I dont like the idea of some churches not having kneelers at all in the pews.

 

[ProVobis]

I did not say that. You did. The constant arguing over posture (and not the posture itself) is most certainly a product of human ignorance, pride and control. This constant arguing most certainly has taken a toll.

I’m not going to defend those who do things out of spite, but we can’t dismiss medical conditions that make it hard for people (like me) to stand for a long period of time. I’ve heard 1/3 of the population has sciatic nerve issues, so I’m frankly surprised more don’t complain against having to stand or kneel. Perhaps they decide to skip services which force them to do either altogether. Personally I would like to attend more Maronite liturgies but don’t want to offend those who value standing over kneeling and would look at me negatively.

 

[Wassermann]

I’m not going to defend those who do things out of spite, but we can’t dismiss medical conditions that make it hard for people (like me) to stand for a long period of time. I’ve heard 1/3 of the population has sciatic nerve issues, so I’m frankly surprised more don’t complain against having to stand or kneel. Perhaps they decide to skip services which force them to do either altogether. Personally I would like to attend more Maronite liturgies but don’t want to offend those who value standing over kneeling and would look at me negatively.

If you have a medical concern that makes standing difficult, you would always be welcomed to sit during a Maronite liturgy. Particularly if you mentioned it to the priest before liturgy began. Kneeling on the other hand would rightly be viewed in a negative way. Kneeling is the posture of supplication and not adoration in the East.

Further, many Eastern Catholic parishes are hyper concerned about “Latinizations.” Many have had their share of Latin Rite Catholics who demand to bring their customs (such as kneeling) with them in the belief that they are “better.”

If you think the kneeling issue is a big deal in the West, you should look into the bitter fights over the existence of pews in some Eastern Catholic parishes. So much bitterness. No much ignorance, pride and desire to control.