Let’s get the facts straight. The Holy See delegates to the USCCB the authority to establish norms. The USCCB has done so; the norm in the U.S. is standing. In the previous edition of the GIRM, a kneeling communicant was not to be denied communion, but was to be catechized on the reason for the norm. The USCCB, in the new GIRM (2011) has removed the requirement for catechesis. In other words, in the U.S., standing is the norm and kneeling is allowed. Kneeling is not discouraged, it is not lesser, it is not frowned upon, it is not a form of disobedience. “Norm” does not mean mandatory. “Norm” does not mean that an action in exception is in disobedience.
I would suggest that you discern whether or not to kneel based on where you think the Lord is leading you. Do His will for you. The Pope doesn’t require kneeling of Catholics worldwide. If you read his book, he even says that CITH is OK, and that he requires people receiving from him to receive kneeling and on the tongue because people were taking souvenirs. So don’t kneel to receive because you think that’s what the Pope wants. Kneel to receive because that’s how you want to show reverence to our Eucharistic Lord.
I receive kneeling and on the tongue. I was the first at my parish, and the only one for a few months. Now, there are five or six at daily Mass, and more sometimes at Sunday Mass. I’ve had many people come up and comment, all positive, all saying “I wish I had good enough knees to do that,” or “I’m going to start doing that.” Sometimes people need someone else to show them that it’s OK.
I started out asking my priest about it, seeking his advice. He thought it was wonderful that someone would want to show that much reverence, but asked me to go to the back of the line, so as to not trip anybody up. I did so, at the start. But now, everyone is so used to me, I just go when I go. If someone unknown to me is behind me in line, I whisper to them “I’m going to kneel, don’t trip.” I’ve never had an issue, and our communion line set up is very cramped and close.
I listened to an interview with Cardinal Arinze, who said something like, “If we really believed that was Jesus we were receiving, we’d crawl up the aisle on our belly.” I thought and prayed hard about that and started receiving kneeling.
Finally, you might draw attention. So what? The people who fret over you kneeling will find something else to fuss about if not that. They’ll worry about somebody’s tight shirt, or lack of a profound bow, or work clothing, or crying kids. Someone who would get all in a twist about you kneeling needs to focus more on the Lord and less on the congregation.
