Sadly, anything done in the Los Angeles Archdiocese can probably be assumed to be more wrong than right. The Cardinal wants to make his mark and has decided to do so by instituting as many liberal changes as possible, and appeasing all sorts of “Catholics” on issues that are actually not part of our faith. He rationalizes this as being inclusive. He has openly gone against most of the bishops and said it’s OK to give communion to someone clearly in a state of mortal sin for publicly, politically and financially supporting abortion. He has also given his OK to the gay lifestyle, basically endorsing sex outside of marriage. As for the cathedral, well, that’s a matter of taste, but it does seem to indicate the guy may have an ego larger than his faith.
I don’t know the rubrics, but I don’t believe it is essential to kneel, but a tradition most churches still follow because it makes sense and is most suitable. I have seen every extreme, including a new Catholic church with NO kneelers, virtually forcing you to stand. I was told that standing is the “better form of worship because it is the most ancient.” (Does that mean it goes back to the Pagans, who knows?!)
But my feeling is, anything other than kneeling during the ENTIRE Eucharistic prayer and also the short part after the “Lamb of God” is disrespectful and basically un-Catholic (if I may use such a term).
However, it has become the norm to stand to receive communion, which makes sense because there is no longer a communion rail anyway. Many people I see bow as they approach the priest or Eucharistic Minister, and then put out their hands to receive, and do this in a very reverential manner. It is that attitude that’s important, because we cannot kneel, there are no more communion rails, but respect and adoration can still be shown.
This brings up another “abuse” I’ve noticed. Has anyone else? At the CONSECRATION, the priest is to genuflect to the body and then also to the blood. In my church, our rather frail 76-year old priest makes a great effort to do this, fully going down onto his knee with deep respect for the Sacrament before him, even though I am sure it’s uncomfortable for him. So it really irked me recently to see a spry, younger priest in another parish merely BOW (not genuflect) at the Consecration. Now, I admit I do not know about the congregation kneeling, but I am almost positive it is an actual wrong for the priest not to genuflect at consecration. Also, in my traditional parish, the congregation all bow their heads (we are already on our knees) when the priest genuflects.
If Catholics are not doing these things, it seems to indicate a lack of understanding of Transubstantiation, that the body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ is before them! As the Christmas song goes: “Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices.” Can you not hear them? Can you not see the miracle before you? May mercy and pity be upon those who do not, they have lost touch with the most miraculous and special aspect of our Catholic faith.