Standing all the time, what should I do?

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pauljmaxmi

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I attend St. Norbert College in De Pere Wisconsin. I went to Mass on campus for the first time this morning and I was horrified to discover that, firstly, there were no kneelers, however, I was okay with that because I just assumed that people kneel on the floor. That is certainly not the case. The people stand throughout the whole of the consecration. Now, I know that it would be drawing undue attention to myself if I were to kneel, but at the same time the GIRM says in paragraph 21 on posture: They (the people) should kneel at the consecration unless prevented by the lack of space, the number of people present, or some other good reason.

Well, I couldn’t take it and knelt down after communion to say prayers of thanksgiving, and there is certainly enough room, there are a lot of people, but it isn’t as though there is insufficient room for people to kneel, and I cannot see any other “good reason.” What should I do? Should I kneel anyway or since I am in ‘Rome’ should I “do as the Romans do?”

Thanks
 
Dear Paul,

Kneel! Any attention you attract is drawing attention to the fact that only you are kneeling. If you are asked why you are kneeling, you then have the opportunity to explain that standing is not an option according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Such laws are not unimportant. They serve the greatest event that takes place on the face of the earth.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.
 
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