Redemptionis Sacramentum #130

[Magnum_V8]

Before I post my question about #130, I’d like to know:

Are we absolutely required to follow the guidelines set forth in Redemptionis Sacramentum? Or are they just good suggestions?

Continuing on the whole “kneeling in church” theme of my other post, #130 certainly appears to say kneelers ARE REQUIRED in churches. The context of this paragraph is dealing with Eucharistic worship outside of Mass, but would apply nonetheless.

“[130.] “According to the structure of each church building and in accordance with legitimate local customs, the Most Holy Sacrament is to be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is noble, prominent, readily visible, and adorned in a dignified manner” and furthermore “suitable for prayer” by reason of the quietness of the location, the space available in front of the tabernacle, and also the supply of benches or seats and kneelers.221 In addition, diligent attention should be paid to all the prescriptions of the liturgical books and to the norm of law,222 especially as regards the avoidance of the danger of profanation.223”

Thoughts?

 

[thistle]

Before I post my question about #130, I’d like to know:

Are we absolutely required to follow the guidelines set forth in Redemptionis Sacramentum? Or are they just good suggestions?

Continuing on the whole “kneeling in church” theme of my other post, #130 certainly appears to say kneelers ARE REQUIRED in churches. The context of this paragraph is dealing with Eucharistic worship outside of Mass, but would apply nonetheless.

"[130.] “According to the structure of each church building and in accordance with legitimate local customs, the Most Holy Sacrament is to be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is noble, prominent, readily visible, and adorned in a dignified manner” and furthermore “suitable for prayer” by reason of the quietness of the location, the space available in front of the tabernacle, and also the supply of benches or seats and kneelers.221 In addition, diligent attention should be paid to all the prescriptions of the liturgical books and to the norm of law,222 especially as regards the avoidance of the danger of profanation.223"

Thoughts?

The kneelers referred to are kneelers in front of where you sit which you pull down from the back of bench (pew) in front of you so you can kneel down and pray. All churches I have been to have them.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The kneelers referred to are kneelers in front of where you sit which you pull down from the back of bench (pew) in front of you so you can kneel down and pray. All churches I have been to have them.

Kneelers can also take the form of a Prie-dieu for Adoration.

 

[Magnum_V8]

Sorry, I think there may be some confusion.

On my other thread, I mentioned how there are absolutely no kneelers anywhere in my parish…not attached to pews, nor “stand-alone” kneelers.

So, does Redemptionis Sacramentum not absolutely require kneelers to be in churches, either attached to pews, or “stand-alone” prie-dieu?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Sorry, I think there may be some confusion.

On my other thread, I mentioned how there are absolutely no kneelers anywhere in my parish…not attached to pews, nor “stand-alone” kneelers.

So, does Redemptionis Sacramentum not absolutely require kneelers to be in churches, either attached to pews, or “stand-alone” prie-dieu?

I’m not interpreting the document this is just my opinion. I read the documents on the liturgy the GIRM and RS to say that we are to kneel at the Eucharistic prayer. It just says kneel, it says nothing about kneelers. It suggests that kneelers be available for prayer when visiting our Lord in the tabernacle, it does not say that you cannot kneel without them.

 

[THurifer2]

So, does Redemptionis Sacramentum not absolutely require kneelers to be in churches, either attached to pews, or “stand-alone” prie-dieu?

Rededemptionis sacramentum doesn’t say anything about Kneelers in the main church it does (as you pointed out) say theere is to be kneelers in the space in front of the Tabernacle. So I guess the answers to your question is, YES there is at least supposed to be at kneelers in the church in the area in front of the tabernacle. This particular document says nothing about the other parts of the church which includes the nave where the people sit for Mass.

 

[John_Lilburne]

I see the mention of kneelers in RS 130 as a reminder or suggestion, rather than particularly binding.

Firstly there are lots of “weasel words”. These a words providing exceptions to what is said. To highlight these:
“[130.] “According to the structure of each church building and in accordance with legitimate local customs, the Most Holy Sacrament is to be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is noble, prominent, readily visible, and adorned in a dignified manner” and furthermore “suitable for prayer” by reason of the quietness of the location, the space available in front of the tabernacle, and also the supply of benches or seats and kneelers. …”.

Secondly there are three footnotes, so what is being said needs to take into account what is in them:
“[221] Cf. S. Congregation of Rites, Instruction, Eucharisticum mysterium, n. 54: AAS 59 (1967) p. 568; Instruction, Inter Oecumenici, 26 September 1964, n. 95: AAS 56 (1964) pp. 877-900, here p. 898; Missale Romanum, Institutio Generalis,n. 314.
[222] Cf. Pope John Paul II, Letter, Dominicae Cenae, n. 3: AAS 72 (1980) pp. 117-119; S. Congregation of Rites, Instruction, Eucharisticum mysterium, n. 53: AAS 59 (1967) p. 568; Code of Canon Law, can. 938 § 2; Roman Ritual, Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, Introduction, n. 9; Missale Romanum, Institutio Generalis, nn. 314-317.
[223] Cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 938 §§ 3-5.”

In particular the reference to 2002 GIRM n. 314-317 gives a different picture, highlighted by me:

“315. … Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgment of the Diocesan Bishop,
a. Either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration (cf. above, no. 303);
b.** Or even** in some chapel suitable for the faithful’s private adoration and prayer and which is organically connected to the church and readily visible to the Christian faithful.”

So the kneelers are part of this option for a private adoration chapel. (The GIRM can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html ).

At the end of RS it has:
“All things to the contrary notwithstanding.
This Instruction, prepared by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II in collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was approved by the same Pontiff on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, 19 March 2004, and he ordered it to be published and to be observed immediately by all concerned.
From the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Rome, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, 25 March 2004.”