Sitting or standing when there are no kneelers?

[7_Sorrows]

I don’t know if this is the right forum or not, but I would like to know which is correct, sitting or standing, when there aren’t kneelers and because of age and an injured ankle I cannot kneel on the floor.
When it is time to kneel during the 2nd part of the Mass, those who are younger or more agile will kneel on the floor. Others will sit in their chairs and then there are those who stand. Is one more correct than the other for those who cannot kneel on the floor or are both acceptable?

 

[Vico]

I don’t know if this is the right forum or not, but I would like to know which is correct, sitting or standing, when there aren’t kneelers and because of age and an injured ankle I cannot kneel on the floor.
When it is time to kneel during the 2nd part of the Mass, those who are younger or more agile will kneel on the floor. Others will sit in their chairs and then there are those who stand. Is one more correct than the other for those who cannot kneel on the floor or are both acceptable?

USCCB:
Should people stand or kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer?
This is answered in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, number 43:

In the Dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause. However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the Consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.
​

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/posture-during-the-eucharistic-prayer-and-our-father.cfm

 

[Nelka]

I don’t know if this is the right forum or not, but I would like to know which is correct, sitting or standing, when there aren’t kneelers and because of age and an injured ankle I cannot kneel on the floor.
When it is time to kneel during the 2nd part of the Mass, those who are younger or more agile will kneel on the floor. Others will sit in their chairs and then there are those who stand. Is one more correct than the other for those who cannot kneel on the floor or are both acceptable?

When I was an alter boy, if there were more boys than seats we would stand through the whole Mass.

I see older people sitting down because they can’t kneel or stand for too long.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Thank you for your replies. It sounds like you should remain standing then when others kneel unless it is hard to remain standing because ofage or health.

 

[Joan_M]

Thank you for your replies. It sounds like you should remain standing then when others kneel unless it is hard to remain standing because of age or health.

One of the problems with people standing during the Eucharistic prayer while others are kneeling or sitting is that they are frequently standing in front of those kneeling or sitting!

I would like there to be a rule that, if you are going to stand (because you cannot kneel), then use one of the pews or seats at the rear of the church so that you are not blocking someone’s view of the consecration.

 

[Fragile]

Why is it so important to have a view of the consecration? Many times I have my eyes closed in prayer?

 

[spedteacherita]

Why is it so important to have a view of the consecration? Many times I have my eyes closed in prayer?

I think everyone has their preferred way to worship when allowed - I, personally, cannot stand for any length of time so I use the front pew in order to be able to see. I love to watch the pastor while he is consecrating the elements because of the mystery that is happening before us. Others, like you, will close your eyes in prayer - when I close my eyes my mind wanders .

God bless all!

Rita

 

[Fragile]

Sure, but no rule need be made to usher the elderly and lame to the back of the sanctuary so others can have a better view…

 

[pianistclare]

Why is it so important to have a view of the consecration? Many times I have my eyes closed in prayer?

This is in no way official, but I once read a meditation from one of the Saints who said that Mary had said to her…“Don’t turn away from my crucified Son! Look lovingly upon Him who died for you.”
that resonated with me, and now I look up at that time, if I had my head bowed before.
Was just food for thought.

 

[ProVobis]

Why is it so important to have a view of the consecration? Many times I have my eyes closed in prayer?

The traditional response to the raising of the Host is a silent (and indulgenced?) Dominus meus et deus meus (“My Lord and my God”) per Thomas but you may close your eyes to your own prayers if you wish.

 

[SMHW]

I don’t know if this is the right forum or not, but I would like to know which is correct, sitting or standing, when there aren’t kneelers and because of age and an injured ankle I cannot kneel on the floor.
When it is time to kneel during the 2nd part of the Mass, those who are younger or more agile will kneel on the floor. Others will sit in their chairs and then there are those who stand. Is one more correct than the other for those who cannot kneel on the floor or are both acceptable?

If people are not kneeling for a reason that affects everyone at Mass then everyone stands so as to be able to make profound bows at the proper times during the consecration.

I think if you are not kneeling because you as an individual are unable to kneel then general etiquette suggests you try to be unobtrusive. If you are in the middle of a crowd then you should probably not stand and block the views of those who are kneeling.

If you wish to stand (which is the normal position for making a profound bow) then it would make sense to find a place in the Church (the back? the side?) where standing doesn’t “stand out”.

 

[ProVobis]

I think if you are not kneeling because you as an individual are unable to kneel then general etiquette suggests you try to be unobtrusive. If you are in the middle of a crowd then you should probably not stand and block the views of those who are kneeling.

Agreed.

Ever since I remember, though, people seem to prefer the “sneeling” posture, which I have yet to hear admonish of from the pulpit.

 

[7_Sorrows]

If people are not kneeling for a reason that affects everyone at Mass then everyone stands so as to be able to make profound bows at the proper times during the consecration.

I think if you are not kneeling because you as an individual are unable to kneel then general etiquette suggests you try to be unobtrusive. If you are in the middle of a crowd then you should probably not stand and block the views of those who are kneeling.

If you wish to stand (which is the normal position for making a profound bow) then it would make sense to find a place in the Church (the back? the side?) where standing doesn’t “stand out”.

Just to reiterate - I am not the only one standing. Before, the times I have attended Mass here I remain seated, but so many others were standing if they couldn’t kneel, I thought it might be disrespectful to sit.
So this past Sunday I remained standing when others kneeled. There were probably 25 others scattered through the small church standing as well. I didn’t know if there is a rule for this. I had not thought that when you stand you are blocking someone else’s view of the priest consecrating the bread and wine so if there is no rule, I will sit instead of stand the next time I attend Mass at this small church where there are no pews or kneelers, just folding chairs.

 

[SMHW]

Just to reiterate - I am not the only one standing.

I noticed that you mentioned this.

It seems to me that if this is a small church with scattered people then you are probably not blocking people’s views. But if you have not already done so then why not ask the priest(s) for information/advice?

Perhaps the people who stand have been urged to stand as an alternative to kneeling. Or perhaps they’ve just started doing so. If you ask, at least you’ll know.

 

[SMHW]

Agreed.

Ever since I remember, though, people seem to prefer the “sneeling” posture, which I have yet to hear admonish of from the pulpit.

Yes. But I tend to see “sneeling” in places where there ARE kneelers and pews that the sneelers can lean on.

From what the OP has now mentioned, this parish has folding chairs. The advisability of sneeling is likely to depend on the sturdiness of the chairs. I can just imagine a chain reaction of folding chairs collapsing if someone leans too far forward and falls into the chair in front and that chair collapses into the chair in front and that chair collapses into…

 

[7_Sorrows]

I noticed that you mentioned this.

It seems to me that if this is a small church with scattered people then you are probably not blocking people’s views. But if you have not already done so then why not ask the priest(s) for information/advice?

Perhaps the people who stand have been urged to stand as an alternative to kneeling. Or perhaps they’ve just started doing so. If you ask, at least you’ll know.

I had just thought of contacting the priest earlier when composing the post. I will send him an e-mail.
Sneeling would not be wise on these folding chairs by the way.

 

[Fragile]

This is in no way official, but I once read a meditation from one of the Saints who said that Mary had said to her…“Don’t turn away from my crucified Son! Look lovingly upon Him who died for you.”
that resonated with me, and now I look up at that time, if I had my head bowed before.
Was just food for thought.

Probably far more important not to turn away from him in sin while not at mass, then to not behold the host w/out physical eyes, what of the blind?

 

[littlewayoflove]

Standing is correct in this case. If you cannot stand then sit.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Standing is correct in this case. If you cannot stand then sit.

Thanks.

 

[ajecphotos]

The traditional response to the raising of the Host is a silent (and indulgenced?) Dominus meus et deus meus (“My Lord and my God”) per Thomas but you may close your eyes to your own prayers if you wish.

Thanks for sharing that