receiving Communion while kneeling

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mkamoski1

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All -

Please help.

I studied a little of what the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, said in his recent book about receiving Communion while kneeling (instead of in the hand).

I prayed and I believe that I have discerned that receiving Communion while kneeling is a just act of worship of the Body and Blood and Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament.

(For the sake of argument here, let us suppose the Communicant is properly disposed to receive Communion and let us further suppose that the intent behind the act of receiving Communion while kneeling is good and true.)

I am wondering (perhaps a bit too scrupulously?) if there is anything in it that a Priest or Deacon may object to in this and, perhaps, refuse to offer Communion?

I have not run into this but I somehow think that I may be getting some askance looks or otherwise, and perhaps a Priest may not “like” it.

I can handle the looks askance, (as I can join those receive by Christ’s), but what I wondering if a Priest can validly refuse Communion on such grounds?

Furthermore, supposing a Priest should refuse to serve Communion to a person that is kneeling, what should the Communicant do then? Stand? Go to another Eucharistic Minister? Simply sit down and “offer it up”? Talk to the Priest after Mass? Other?

Please advise.

(I strongly suspect that this is a non-issue as the case will never come up in full form. I found it hard to write this post. However, I think, at the very least, investigating the question can be categorized as part of “being prepared” and may prove to be a good thought experiment. Furthermore, I do love our Priests and thank the Lord for them and would not want to do anything to offend one of them-- so, this is important in that respect too. I once heard that if one does not know if an act is good or not then one is obligated to find out; so, here we go.)

Please do let me know your thoughts, etc.

Thank you.
  • Mark Kamoski
 
In the EF Tradition I attend, it’s always kneeling and always OTT.
I love EF. All the shoulds and hows are taken out of the entire subject.
 
mkamoski1 said:
I can handle the looks askance, (as I can join those receive by Christ’s), but what I wondering if a Priest can validly refuse Communion on such grounds?
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A priest cannot refuse communion to you if you choose to kneel. Doing such would be an abuse of authority and he could be subject to discipline by Rome.
 
Hello, Mark.

This website explains your rights in this matter: veniteadoremusdominum.blogspot.com/2010/11/blog-post_12.html

Cardinal Arinze is the authority on liturgical matters in the Latin Church, so I hope this site helps you.

To answer your other question, should you be denied Communion while kneeling, here is my opinion about how you might proceed prudently: rise to stand at that time, receive Communion, and then call the parish at a later time. Schedule an appointment with the priest. Go to that appointment with a very gentle approach, but bring a copy of the relevant canons with you. Do not go in “attack mode.” Pray to the Holy Spirit before your arrive. Ask the priest to “explain this apparent discrepancy between your experience and the canons” to you, so that you might be “less confused” by the matter. If he’s just ignorant of the law, you’ve kindly left him an out. If he remains obstinate and continues to refuse to allow communicants to kneel in his parish, then write to your bishop. If need be, you have the right to send a letter to Cardinal Arinze’s office in Rome. In either of those cases, just state the facts and avoid prolonged emotionalism; you may need to get some help from someone with experience writing to ecclesiastical authorities, particularly if you find it necessary to write the cardinal. Hopefully, you won’t need to do that.

God bless,
Catherine
 
mkamoski1 said:
Furthermore, supposing a Priest should refuse to serve Communion to a person that is kneeling, what should the Communicant do then? Stand? Go to another Eucharistic Minister? Simply sit down and “offer it up”? Talk to the Priest after Mass? Other?
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Well, I would recommend not kneeling to receive Communion if you are in a parish you don’t usually attend (e.g. if you are on vacation). If you feel strongly about it, you should probably just refrain from receiving that one week. I completely agree with The Curt Jester that it’s not allowed to refuse someone Communion because he is kneeling, but it can cause a large amount of confusion if you are in a strange parish.

Now for the one or two parishes you usually attend, you might want to talk to the priest there outside of Mass. Explain that you feel the Lord has put it on your heart to receive kneeling and you want to know how to do that so that it doesn’t cause any disruption. You might want to reassure the priests that you are not making any statement about the other parishioners–the fact that you feel you should kneel does not mean that you think others are wrong for standing. (I mean, say this if you agree with it; don’t lie of course. 😛 However if you don’t agree with it, you may want to take it up in prayer, since the normal mode of receiving in the OF in the US is standing.) If the priest understands that you are firm in this, but are not trying to make some sort of political statement, I think he would probably accept it better.

I’d suggest trying to get to Church early enough that you are in the line to receive from the priest, since EMHCs come and go and may not know how to deal with kneeling.

Or of course you could follow Catsrus to the EF. 🙂 I go to both, and it is a lot easier to kneel to receive at an EF Mass–I have no problem with it. But when you are coming up in a line to receive, you have to have better knees than mine (at least one of them) to successfully kneel to receive without causing a ruckus. I personally wouldn’t try it but I’m sure you have better knees than mine. 🙂

–Jen
 
Here are the relevant Vatican documents on the subject.

ewtn.com/expert/answers/kneeling_for_communion.htm

Short of it is that you may choose to recieve kneeling and you are not to be considered acting in a disobedient manner or engaging in an illicit act.
To this end, it is perhaps useful to respond to your inquiry by repeating the content of a letter that the Congregation recently addressed to a Bishop in the United States of America from whose Diocese a number of pertinent letters had been received. The letter states: “… while this Congregation gave the recognitio to the norm desired by the Bishops’ Conference of your country that people stand for Holy Communion, this was done on the condition that communicants who choose to kneel are not to be denied Holy Communion on these grounds. Indeed, the faithful should not be imposed upon nor accused of disobedience and of acting illicitly when they kneel to receive Holy Communion.”
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I voted - standing and in the mouth (on the tongue). I primarily attend the Ordinary Form of the Mass and it’s very rare for anyone to kneel to receive at any OF Mass around here. I stand because that’s the norm and I don’t want to be disruptive or to stand out (or to be tripped over), and I know that I would be feeling very self-conscious if I did kneel when no one else knelt. I always receive on the tongue, though, even when I visit parishes when nobody else does.

Of course, when I attend the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, I do kneel. And if I was at a parish where standing and kneeling were both options people actually exercised, I would certainly kneel, as that is my preference, more befitting the reverence due to the Body of Christ (in the Roman liturgical traditions).

(When on rare occasions I do attend a Mass where people stand for the Eucharistic Prayer, I do go ahead and kneel if I am able - as is required by the GIRM, unlike kneeling to receive Communion.)
 
Everyone is correct in stating that a priest or deacon has no right to refuse communion to you if you are kneeling. However, in the N.O. Mass, the proper posture for the reception is standing. As quoted on the USCCB website…

"The norm for the reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of
the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied
Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances
should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with
the proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm. "

So, I think that is your answer. In other countries, it may be different. However, in the United States, the posture in the O.F. is to stand and to receive in the hand or on the tongue. In the E.F. Mass, the posture is to kneel and receive on the tongue.
My source [nccbuscc.org/liturgy/innews/072002.shtml](http://www.nccbuscc.org/liturgy/innews/072002.shtml)
 
Domnall said:
Everyone is correct in stating that a priest or deacon has no right to refuse communion to you if you are kneeling. However, in the N.O. Mass, the proper posture for the reception is standing. As quoted on the USCCB website…

"The norm for the reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of
the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied
Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances
should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with
the proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm. "

So, I think that is your answer. In other countries, it may be different. However, in the United States, the posture in the O.F. is to stand and to receive in the hand or on the tongue. In the E.F. Mass, the posture is to kneel and receive on the tongue.
Code: 
My source [nccbuscc.org/liturgy/innews/072002.shtml](http://www.nccbuscc.org/liturgy/innews/072002.shtml)
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But since it is through the CDWDS that the referenced GIRM has liturgical force, what you posted is to be understood as the Vatican has ruled on it.

ewtn.com/expert/answers/k…_communion.htm
 
Domnall said:
Everyone is correct in stating that a priest or deacon has no right to refuse communion to you if you are kneeling. However, in the N.O. Mass, the proper posture for the reception is standing. As quoted on the USCCB website…

"The norm for the reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of
the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied
Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances
should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with
the proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm. "

So, I think that is your answer. In other countries, it may be different. However, in the United States, the posture in the O.F. is to stand and to receive in the hand or on the tongue. In the E.F. Mass, the posture is to kneel and receive on the tongue.
Code: 
My source [nccbuscc.org/liturgy/innews/072002.shtml](http://www.nccbuscc.org/liturgy/innews/072002.shtml)
Click to expand...
Standing is the normative posture in the US. But that doesn’t mean it is any more proper.

In fact,standing and receiving Communion on the tongue is the normative way to receive Communion in the US. However, as you note, on the tongue and in the hand are both proper.
 
I voted Kneeling by hand - although I cannot yet and have never received communion, that is how it is administered at my parish.

I’m really surprised that no one else (at the time of my voting) receives it this way. At mine, everyone goes up to a kind of low railing in front of the alter, kneels in a row on cushions in front of that, places their hands on the railing and receives it there. Then those next in the line make the next row, so the communion line makes a T shape.
 
Brendan said:
Sorry bad link

ewtn.com/expert/answers/kneeling_for_communion.htm
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I have a question though, if the norm in the States in the O.F. to stand, and a person continues to kneel after they have been counseled by the priest as to why the norm is to stand, (as the USCCB website states) and they continue to do so, isn’t that insubordination?

Just think this would be interesting to discuss.
A note--my personal opinion is that I wish we would all return to kneeling and receiving on the tongue. Now, just because I want it doesn't mean it is the way things are done. I would love to discuss this in complete light of Church Law (this isn't directed at you Brendan, just a general for everyone reading :) )
 
Domnall said:
I have a question though, if the norm in the States in the O.F. to stand, and a person continues to kneel after they have been counseled by the priest as to why the norm is to stand, (as the USCCB website states) and they continue to do so, isn’t that insubordination?

Just think this would be interesting to discuss.
Code: 
A note--my personal opinion is that I wish we would all return to kneeling and receiving on the tongue. Now, just because I want it doesn't mean it is the way things are done. I would love to discuss this in complete light of Church Law (this isn't directed at you Brendan, just a general for everyone reading :) )
Click to expand...
Note what the Vatican has stated in this matter

First, it is the CDWDS that is the legislator in this matter. The US bishops can submit requests for modifications, but they are not the authority by which the norms are legal, the CDWDS is.
As the authority by virtue of whose recognitio the norm in question has attained the force of law, this Dicastery is competent to specify the manner in which the norm is to be understood for the sake of a proper application
Click to expand...
See what the CDWDS states in in regards to disobedience
while this Congregation gave the recognitio to the norm desired by the Bishops’ Conference of your country that people stand for Holy Communion, this was done on the condition that communicants who choose to kneel are not to be denied Holy Communion on these grounds. Indeed, the faithful should not be imposed upon nor accused of disobedience and of acting illicitly when they kneel to receive Holy Communion."
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Since the CDWDS is the authority under Canon 16
Can. 16 §1. The legislator authentically interprets laws as does the one to whom the same legislator has entrusted the power of authentically interpreting.
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§2. An authentic interpretation put forth in the form of law has the same force as the law itself and must be promulgated. If it only declares the words of the law which are certain in themselves, it is retroactive; if it restricts or extends the law, or if it explains a doubtful law, it is not retroactive.
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As an explaination of law, It’s interpretation has the force of law.

Thus it is really those who would call a person who kneels for communion insubordinate are the one who are actually insubordinate.
 
Well, there is my answer. I appreciate the sources and references, they help. 🙂

edit: only a slight bit of confusion…though someone my have the answer. What is the point of the USCCB asking for a recognitio in regards to kneeling? I mean, if the CDWSD is going to recognise the USCCB’s request, but still say that someone is not being insubordinate, why was a request made by the USCCB in the first place?

Seems unnecessary to make a guideline that doesn’t need to be followed with no penalty.

(gee, I really have a harsh sounding tone in these posts…please don’t read them as such!)
 
Domnall said:
Well, there is my answer. I appreciate the sources and references, they help. 🙂

edit: only a slight bit of confusion…though someone my have the answer. What is the point of the USCCB asking for a recognitio in regards to kneeling? I mean, if the CDWSD is going to recognise the USCCB’s request, but still say that someone is not being insubordinate, why was a request made by the USCCB in the first place?

Seems unnecessary to make a guideline that doesn’t need to be followed with no penalty.

(gee, I really have a harsh sounding tone in these posts…please don’t read them as such!)
Click to expand...
No prob 🙂

The USCCB requested a country specific modification to GIRM 160 specifiying standing as the Norm. As such, the change required a recognitio. The Vatican changed the wording of the request to add the verbage about not denying communion and then gave the necessary recognitio.

In other words, the Vatican was fine with the US have a general practice of standing, but wanted people to be permitted to kneel to recieve if they so desired. Since the Vatican has given this permission, one who kneels, by definition is not disobedient (since they have permission to do so from a higher authority than a local pastor or bishop) and the practice is permitted by law ( hence they are not acting in an illict manner).
 
Domnall said:
I have a question though, if the norm in the States in the O.F. to stand, and a person continues to kneel after they have been counseled by the priest as to why the norm is to stand, (as the USCCB website states) and they continue to do so, isn’t that insubordination?
Click to expand...
No, because the “counseling” isn’t supposed to be for the priest to try to tell the Communicant why he or she individually should stand, it is to explain why the norm is standing.
Rather, such instances
should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with
the proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm.
Click to expand...
(bolding mine)

In fact, there is nothing in this document that suggests any kind of personal or individual counseling at all. The pastor should just make sure that everybody understands the reasoning behind the norm.
 
Domnall said:
Well, there is my answer. I appreciate the sources and references, they help. 🙂

edit: only a slight bit of confusion…though someone my have the answer. What is the point of the USCCB asking for a recognitio in regards to kneeling? I mean, if the CDWSD is going to recognise the USCCB’s request, but still say that someone is not being insubordinate, why was a request made by the USCCB in the first place?

Seems unnecessary to make a guideline that doesn’t need to be followed with no penalty.

(gee, I really have a harsh sounding tone in these posts…please don’t read them as such!)
Click to expand...
This is because in Eucharisticum Mysterium (1967) the Vatican directed:
In accordance with the custom of the Church, Communion may be received by the faithful either kneeling or standing. One or the other way is to be chosen, according to the decision of the episcopal conference, bearing in mind all the circumstances, above all the number of the faithful and the arrangement of the churches. The faithful should willingly adopt the method indicated by their pastors, so that Communion may truly be a sign of the brotherly union of all those who share in the same table of the Lord.
So it was the USCCB’s responsibility to select either kneeling or standing, and for people to obey. The typical (i.e. unmodified) GIRM expresses this also at no. 160: “Fideles communicant genuflexi vel stantes, prout Conferentia Episcoporum statuerit” (“The faithful communicated kneeling or standing, as the Conference of Bishops shall have established”).

The stipulation that people who choose to kneel are not to be denied Holy Communion is simply a pastoral concession: the issue is just not important enough that kneeling should be punished by withholding the Sacrament. It would be as though (if this somehow became an issue) they clarified that the communicant is respond “Amen” to “The Body of Christ,” but he shouldn’t be denied Communion if he fails to. That doesn’t make saying Amen “optional” or “a matter of choice”; it just means it is not punishable by denying Communion.
 
MarkThompson said:
The stipulation that people who choose to kneel are not to be denied Holy Communion is simply a pastoral concession: the issue is just not important enough that kneeling should be punished by withholding the Sacrament. It would be as though (if this somehow became an issue) they clarified that the communicant is respond “Amen” to “The Body of Christ,” but he shouldn’t be denied Communion if he fails to. That doesn’t make saying Amen “optional” or “a matter of choice”; it just means it is not punishable by denying Communion.
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I would submit that that is simply conjecture on your part.

If we seek to see what the Vatican desires to be put into practice, we simply need to look at the various writings that have been promulgated in Notatae.

If, like you wish, to discover the intent, then we would have to look at the various statements put out by Cardinal Arinze, the Prefect for the CDWDS at the time

Here is a relevant video

youtube.com/watch?v=EcZhjmYn1K8

This is of especial interest to Domnall’s question about insubordination, especially the part about the faithful who kneel being not only free to do so, but are to be left in peace.

Our parish was privlidged to have Cardinal Arinze as our keynote speaker at our Lenten retreat two years ago. Prior to the retreat, he celebrated Mass in our parish.

Now our parish has prei deu set up just to the side of the main aisle for those who wish to kneel for communion. When it came time to distribute Holy Communion, Cardinal Arize stationed himself behind one of the prei deu, even though our pastor had directed him to the center aisle. The end result was that if you wanted to recieve from Cardinal Arinze, you knelt at the prei dieu, if you wanted to stand, our pastor or the deacon was available in the center aisle.

Later in the retreat, he praised the use the prie dieu and quoted from Pope Benedict’s “Spirit of the Liturgy” on the benefits of kneeling.

Now granted, Cardinal Arinze was retired from the CDWDS at this point, and (like the video) these are not authentic interpretations of law like are published in Notatae, if you seek to discover that root Intent of these type of decisions, that is what you need to look at.
 
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