Should I receive kneeling?

[universalindult]

Correct, that belongs to Rome.

And Rome has approved two Norms in the United States. One is the Universal Norm of kneeling, the US Bishops requested a Particular Norm of Standing, which Rome approved, under the proviso that this norm does not override the Universal Norm of kneeling.

So the lay person cannot make a norm, but in this case,** the US layperson may choose between two valid, approved norms without disobedience**.

Thank you!

 

[lucybeebee]

So again, as I responded to someone else, you, who think of the actual Presence of Christ is in the Eucharist, you would not receive Him because you are standing? You would put your own preference for ritual before Christ Himself? Christ addressed such attitudes in the Pharisees, and it wasnt favorable! This is tragic!

As an earlier post said, if Jesus suddenly appeared to you in His human form, you would probably fall down on your face, right? Gestures have meaning and express how we feel about a person, place, or event. If we truly believe that Christ is our King, High Priest, and Lord then it makes sense to be kneeling when we receive him. I was not denigrating the other students for standing. This is just how I feel. Besides, I normally go to Confession before mass and since this wasn’t possible today I didn’t feel worthy anyway.

 

[Brendan]

I agree. While I disagree with what the Bishops have decided (amoung other things) one should not be forced to stand or kneel. I once saw a video on youtube where the bishop of Orange County I beleive would not give communion to a parishoner who was kneeling. He told here that they do not do that there and would not give her communion until she stood. According to your statement this action is just as wrong and forcing someone to kneel in the US in light of the Bishop’s Decision.

I’m not sure exactly what you are trying to say.

Yes, what Bishop Brown did to that woman was incorrect, he was mistaken. The woman should not have been denied the Eucharist based on her kneeling to recieve.

Likewise, if a person goes to an NO parish ( such as mine) that still uses the Communion rail, the priest would be incorrect to withhold communion from a person simply because they choose to stand and recieve ( I have never witnessed him doing so,)

 

[thecoach]

As an earlier post said, if Jesus suddenly appeared to you in His human form, you would probably fall down on your face, right? Gestures have meaning and express how we feel about a person, place, or event. If we truly believe that Christ is our King, High Priest, and Lord then it makes sense to be kneeling when we receive him. I was not denigrating the other students for standing. This is just how I feel. Besides, I normally go to Confession before mass and since this wasn’t possible today I didn’t feel worthy anyway.

if you truly believed that, you would not let posture get in the way of receiving Him. Sorry, thats a cop out. Either you believe its HIm and will do anything to receive Him, or you dont.

 

[lucybeebee]

if you truly believed that, you would not let posture get in the way of receiving Him. Sorry, thats a cop out. Either you believe its HIm and will do anything to receive Him, or you dont.

What is the “that” in which you are referring to? Posture aside, if a person doesn’t feel worthy to receive Communion, then it is perfectly correct to abstain, lest that person defame the Eucharist. As for posture, I think that posture is very important in expressing how one feels. To me (and lots of other people), it’s not reverent. If you want to stand at Communion, knock yourself out.

 

[thedavidwilson]

As an earlier post said, if Jesus suddenly appeared to you in His human form, you would probably fall down on your face, right? Gestures have meaning and express how we feel about a person, place, or event. If we truly believe that Christ is our King, High Priest, and Lord then it makes sense to be kneeling when we receive him. I was not denigrating the other students for standing. This is just how I feel. Besides, I normally go to Confession before mass and since this wasn’t possible today I didn’t feel worthy anyway.

You go to confession before Mass!?! What a novel idea . You must normally attend a Latin Mass. I grew up in NO and never did I see a line for confession (or confession being offered) before Mass. In my Latin Mass Parish there is a line 20 people deep 20 minutes before the Mass and people still waiting in line when confession stops at the reading of the Gospel.

 

[LilyM]

You go to confession before Mass!?! What a novel idea . You must normally attend a Latin Mass. I grew up in NO and never did I see a line for confession (or confession being offered) before Mass. In my Latin Mass Parish there is a line 20 people deep 20 minutes before the Mass and people still waiting in line when confession stops at the reading of the Gospel.

Then, if you’ll pardon my bluntness, you grew up in an extraordinary place. Most every Catholic Church offers confession before Saturday Vigil Mass at the very least.

There are three Churches in the city here that offer confession before almost every daily Mass and on Saturdays, one on Sundays as well (sadly the others don’t). I went on Monday this week and I can guarantee there were a dozen or so people waiting at fifteen minutes after starting, and it would’ve gone seriously overtime (they didnt need to finish before Mass started).

 

[Malcolm_McLean]

As an earlier post said, if Jesus suddenly appeared to you in His human form, you would probably fall down on your face, right?

That’s not how the apostles responded. The exception is St Thomas.

 

[LilyM]

That’s not how the apostles responded. The exception is St Thomas.

Put it this way - if I met an earthly King or Queen I might kneel in front of them. If I were to eat with them, however, I wouldn’t eat whilst kneeling. I

t’s rather impractical to eat while kneeling even in the best of circumstances, even if it’s not impossible.

 

[thecoach]

Put it this way - if I met an earthly King or Queen I might kneel in front of them. If I were to eat with them, however, I wouldn’t eat whilst kneeling. I

t’s rather impractical to eat while kneeling even in the best of circumstances, even if it’s not impossible.

again, that betrays a belief in the real presence.

 

[thecoach]

What is the “that” in which you are referring to? Posture aside, if a person doesn’t feel worthy to receive Communion, then it is perfectly correct to abstain, lest that person defame the Eucharist. As for posture, I think that posture is very important in expressing how one feels. To me (and lots of other people), it’s not reverent. If you want to stand at Communion, knock yourself out.

that makes no sense whatever, letting a posture get in the way of Christ Himself.:nope:

 

[twf]

Here in Canada I am beginning to think that there must not be a single “norm” (or perhaps it depends on the diocese). In my own diocese (the Archdiocese of Vancouver) the faithful in the vast majority of Ordinary Form (NO) parishes receive standing, but there are a few (including the cathedral itself!) where the altar rail still stands and the faithful have the option of receiving either standing in the centre or kneeling along the the rail at either side. I’ve even attended one Ordinary Form parish where every last person receive kneeling at the altar rail—with standing not even given as an option.

I personally much prefer kneeling, but we must remember that standing is not intrinsically wrong for two reasons:

1. It is an approve practice in the Latin Church, and thus can not be contrary to divine law (whether it is ideal or not)
2. It is the ancient practice of the Eastern Churches to receive Our Lord standing (of course on the tongue and not in the hand), and thus we must recognize this custom as valid for those churches, if not for the Latin Church

 

[thecoach]

that makes no sense whatever, letting a posture get in the way of Christ Himself.:nope:

, I have wasted enough time here and generated too much negativity. I wish all peace and I will be moving on. Blessing to all, especially all I may have offended.

 

[HisTruePresence]

[90.]
“The faithful should receive Communion kneeling or standing, as the Conference of Bishops will have determined”, with its acts having received the recognitio of the Apostolic See. “However, if they receive Communion standing, it is recommended that they give due reverence before the reception of the Sacrament, as set forth in the same norms”.[176]

[91.] In distributing Holy Communion it is to be remembered that “sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them”.[177] Hence any baptized Catholic who is not prevented by law must be admitted to Holy Communion. Therefore, it is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ’s faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing.

For me, standing’s good . Kneeling’s better.

 

[NoPlaceLikeRome]

If our Lord Jesus appeared before you right now, would you remain standing? If you believe in the true presence this should answer your question.

Man… I’ve been sort of thinking about receiving kneeling… this is the story. Sundays I go to the TLM where kneeling is standard. I think it’s great and it should be the norm everywhere. Weekdays I go to the NO at an abbey where 1 person kneels every morning no problem. But he is the only one and I haven’t knelt at NO Masses before except once or twice. I would like to, but I am afraid of 1. tripping… I wear long skirts in winter + no altar rail or anything. 2. “pulling a stunt,” I don’t know if this makes sense, but doing it for the wrong reason. I already wear a mantilla so I don’t want to look “too POD” (Pious and Over-Devotional) though probably worrying about how I look shouldn’t have any play here. WDYT?

 

[CathMass]

I kneel at the TLM and at the NO. I used to stand for communion at a certain chapel I attend during the week (There are a few people who do kneel here and most receive standing but on the tongue) then the priest called me to his office where he asked me why I don’t kneel (he is rather traditional but not a TLM type person and very prudent and he knew I went to the TLM). I got into the whole US norms thing and he started talking about some Vatican document and said it was okay because Rome has spoken. He really emphasizes reverence to the Holy Eucharist.

That being said, I would encourage kneeling but here is my criteria for determining if I should kneel or not

1. Be prudent about this. You should ask yourself “Is there at least 1 other person who kneels?”
2. Is this priest solid and acts rather conservative?
   Note: Not all conservative priests like kneeling but they still give the Eucharist anyway and sometimes speak to you after Mass.

Another thing I have been told is if you feel moved by the Spirit to kneel then you should kneel. The Holy See said in some letter that it was “neither disobedient or illicit” to kneel for communion. So it is possible to feel moved by the Spirit.

You can also pray to the Blessed Mother. I once went to a Mass and I said to the Blessed Mother, “I will only kneel if that server kneels” Sure enough he did and I received Communion kneeling as did one other lady.

 

[NoPlaceLikeRome]

Thank you, CathMass, your reply is well thought out. I will ask Our Lady for help.