Question about receiving the Eucharist at a Latin Mass

[FrDavid96]

Thank you for the reply.

It’s not a constant thing. It’s just that when it rains my knees ache. The left one especially. And I don’t like kneeling on hard surfaces no matter what.

Not trying to make excuses here.

George,
If you aren’t able to kneel when receiving that’s perfectly fine in every way. But realize that since you will be a visitor, the priest won’t recognize you. Given the fact that you’ve “explained” your knee it sounds like you don’t “look” like someone who would have a problem kneeling (in other words, you don’t look like you’re in your 90s). There might be an akward moment when the priest sees a visitor not kneeling to receive and he might feel a kneed to stop and explain to you that the proper posture is kneeling. Given that, I would echo the suggestion that you do talk to the priest before Mass.

Another thing to consider is to ask yourself if it would be possible to kneel for just the brief moment when you are actually receiving (and stand rather than kneel when waiting for the priest to reach your place), or even to just kneel on one knee at that moment. Just a thought. Again, if you aren’t able to kneel to receive then receiving standing is perfectly fine.

 

[Asperges_Me]

Thank you for the reply.

It’s not a constant thing. It’s just that when it rains my knees ache. The left one especially. And I don’t like kneeling on hard surfaces no matter what.

Not trying to make excuses here.

My wife’s father attended one of the Masses at OLR with me. He has had knee replacment surgery and under doctor’s orders not to kneel. The chaplain was OK with him standing. I told my father in law to point to his knees if Father hesitated a bit. But he didn’t have to do that at all. Of course that was for a daily Mass. But my father in law is over 75 years old too. Had to keep reminding him to not slip up on receiving on the tongue though.

 

[George_C]

George,
If you aren’t able to kneel when receiving that’s perfectly fine in every way. But realize that since you will be a visitor, the priest won’t recognize you. Given the fact that you’ve “explained” your knee it sounds like you don’t “look” like someone who would have a problem kneeling (in other words, you don’t look like you’re in your 90s). There might be an akward moment when the priest sees a visitor not kneeling to receive and he might feel a kneed to stop and explain to you that the proper posture is kneeling. Given that, I would echo the suggestion that you do talk to the priest before Mass.

A good idea. If the weather’s clear and there’s no rain coming and there’s an altar rail there, I don’t foresee a major problem.

Another thing to consider is to ask yourself if it would be possible to kneel for just the brief moment when you are actually receiving (and stand rather than kneel when waiting for the priest to reach your place), or even to just kneel on one knee at that moment. Just a thought. Again, if you aren’t able to kneel to receive then receiving standing is perfectly fine.

I’ll have to play it by ear when it’s time.

My wife’s father attended one of the Masses at OLR with me. He has had knee replacment surgery and under doctor’s orders not to kneel. The chaplain was OK with him standing. I told my father in law to point to his knees if Father hesitated a bit. But he didn’t have to do that at all. Of course that was for a daily Mass. But my father in law is over 75 years old too. Had to keep reminding him to not slip up on receiving on the tongue though.

I won’t either! Thanks again for the steady guiding hand for a newcomer to the faith.

I realize more than ever that just being able to receive the Eucharist and call myself a Catholic is just the very, very beginning. I so want to have a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith.

 

[BayernAnhaenger]

A good idea. If the weather’s clear and there’s no rain coming and there’s an altar rail there, I don’t foresee a major problem.

I’ll have to play it by ear when it’s time.

I won’t either! Thanks again for the steady guiding hand for a newcomer to the faith.

I realize more than ever that just being able to receive the Eucharist and call myself a Catholic is just the very, very beginning. I so want to have a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith.

If you want a very good resource pick up “This is the Faith” by Canon Francis Ripley.
amazon.com/This-Faith-Complete-Explanation-Catholic/dp/0895556421/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239162794&sr=8-1

It’s a very solid, legitimate catechism. Originally written in the '50s by a British priest.

It starts from the beginning (Why did God create you, and such), and goes from there, building up, and leading eventually to the Sacraments.

It’s also very easy to read, and does not try to fancy you with big useless words.

I can’t recommend it enough.

$15 on Amazon!