No Kneeling During Mass -- New Rule?

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Lokabrenna

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I went to Christmas Mass (not by choice, but whatever) and as far as I could tell, the liturgy was basically the same (it was in French, which I don’t speak) but the one thing that changed was that there was no kneeling. Everyone stood for the consecration. Is this part of the new rules I keep hearing about? I remember attending the same church for Christmas two years ago and there was kneeling then.

Can anyone bring me up to speed as to what was going on? I’m curious.
 
I’m not sure. Are you in Quebec? Here in the West we still kneel for the consecration but are encouraged to stand after Communion until the reserved hosts are back in the tabernacle and the priest sits down.
 
I’ve been to a number of services where the building being used for Mass is not properly equipped for people to comfortably and/or safely kneel (auditoriums, college chapels used for a number of denominations, etc.). In those cases, the congregation always stood during times that we generally kneel.

As far as I’m aware, there have not been any changes to the rules regarding standing kneeling. Standing rather than kneeling just happens to be less common.
 
You wouldn’t notice in the French liturgy. I don’t believe the liturgy in French was changed at all–only the liturgy in English. However, having said that, things are a bit different in Quebec to begin with their dual language status. This could cause some interesting differences (not sure about that).
 
grasscutter said:
I’m not sure. Are you in Quebec? Here in the West we still kneel for the consecration but are encouraged to stand after Communion until the reserved hosts are back in the tabernacle and the priest sits down.
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Yeah, small village in Quebec. I just found it strange because in the past there was kneeling (although, they did stop doing the sign of peace) but when I went now there was just…standing…and I thought maybe some new rule was implemented. I think they might also have a new priest.
 
Lokabrenna said:
Yeah, small village in Quebec. I just found it strange because in the past there was kneeling (although, they did stop doing the sign of peace) but when I went now there was just…standing…and I thought maybe some new rule was implemented. I think they might also have a new priest.
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Out here in the West we are all kneeling for the Consecration (all who can, that is).

Prior to Advent, each parish was doing its own thing; some were standing and others were kneeling. The Bishop has said that we are to kneel for the Consecration, and to stand until all have received Holy Communion. We also continue to stand after the Agnus Dei.

There is also to be a period of Great Silence after all have received Holy Communion, during which the people are encouraged (but not required) to kneel and pray for their personal intentions. There should be no music or talking during the Great Silence.
 
Any parish I’ve been to in Quebec kneels at the consecration, and I live here and visit different parishes frequently with our Gregorian schola.

Yes there was a small change in the French liturgy. After the reading of the OT and Epistle, we used to say “nous rendons gloire à Dieu” (“We give glory to God”), now we say “nous rendons grâce à Dieu” which is a more accurate translation of Deo Gratias.
 
GIRM Canada (Directives for the Diocese of Calgary):
Posture During the Eucharistic Prayer
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the faithful are to kneel at the conclusion of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) and to stand
when the priest announces The Mystery of Faith.
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The Communion Song
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The common posture of standing continues during the Communion
procession and singing of the Communion song. This practice teaches us that
Communion is a corporate action in which we together are drawn into the
Eucharistic mystery and the life of the Trinity. Singing together helps us
realize our communion together in the Risen Lord.
We will catechize on the importance of communal song during the
Communion Procession. The bond of unity is expressed by joining in the
congregational song before receiving Communion and after consuming the
sacred elements. Personal prayer takes place during the silence after the
Communion procession is finished. At that time while the priest or other
designated extraordinary ministers are purifying the vessels, we should also
enter into communal silence together.
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Lokabrenna said:
Yeah, small village in Quebec. I just found it strange because in the past there was kneeling (although, they did stop doing the sign of peace) but when I went now there was just…standing…and I thought maybe some new rule was implemented. I think they might also have a new priest.
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They stopped doing the sign of peace?
 
The sign of peace has always been optional. It’s at the priest’s discretion to invite people to express a sign of peace with each other. At some Masses they simply go from the peace expressed toward the priest directly to the Lamb of God.
 
Me too – especially when it seems like a guy with a hacking cough is always seated behind me.
 
Lokabrenna said:
I went to Christmas Mass (not by choice, but whatever) and as far as I could tell, the liturgy was basically the same (it was in French, which I don’t speak) but the one thing that changed was that there was no kneeling. Everyone stood for the consecration. Is this part of the new rules I keep hearing about? I remember attending the same church for Christmas two years ago and there was kneeling then.

Can anyone bring me up to speed as to what was going on? I’m curious.
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Why would a vanic pagan care??
 
Lokabrenna said:
I went to Christmas Mass (not by choice, but whatever) and as far as I could tell, the liturgy was basically the same (it was in French, which I don’t speak) but the one thing that changed was that there was no kneeling. Everyone stood for the consecration. Is this part of the new rules I keep hearing about? I remember attending the same church for Christmas two years ago and there was kneeling then.

Can anyone bring me up to speed as to what was going on? I’m curious.
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Umm, put plainly, unless it was impossible or unsafe to kneel, the pastor was simply being disobedient. There’s not really another way to get around it.
 
Catholic mass is not monolithic, for example the two Catholics churches in my neighborhood one kneels and the other does not. One says Hail Mary during mass the other not.
 
KenChute said:
Catholic mass is not monolithic, for example the two Catholics churches in my neighborhood one kneels and the other does not. One says Hail Mary during mass the other not.
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Um…no, actually, they should be kneeling at that time. The missal clearly states that they should be.
 
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