Standing v. Kneeling During Eucharistic Prayer

[MissRose73]

When I go to certain churches, kneeling after the Sanctus to the Our Father is the norm. My parish is not that way because of our layout and no kneelers available - but that has not stopped a few visitors from doing so. The kneelers are needed for me to allow me to kneel then rise with ease.

 

[zab]

When I go to certain churches, kneeling after the Sanctus to the Our Father is the norm. My parish is not that way because of our layout and no kneelers available - but that has not stopped a few visitors from doing so. The kneelers are needed for me to allow me to kneel then rise with ease.

I really sympathize with the people in your position. Because, knowing what the G.I.R.M. says, that the correct posture during the Eucharistic prayer is to kneel, there are some, particularly aging people who would prefer to kneel but would find it very difficult to do so without kneelers. So then there is the knowledge that it would certainly be alright for them to stand in that situation but it would be a concern to some about the example they are setting for the healthier crowd, who may not truly understand their situation.

P.S. As far as the visitors go, they are right to kneel anyway during the Eucharistic Prayer, if they can do so.

 

[Phemie]

Our parish had not knelt during Mass for the past 13 or 14 years. A former pastor, who hated confrontation more than anything, had given in to two people who proclaimed that we were not supposed to kneel (based on the above quoted item from the Council of Nicea) and announced that we would no longer kneel at any time. Those same two people tried to take out the kneelers but were stymied by the rest of the parishioners when they submitted it to a vote.

No pastor since that time had deemed it necessary to change this until 3 weeks ago, when the present pastor questioned it at a meeting. He was informed that the people would do whatever he requested; that they were standing because they’d been told to but that if he requested that they kneel everyone who could would obey. He asked the next Sunday and for the past 2 weeks we’ve been kneeling as we should have been all along.

We are kneeling for the entire EP even though the Canadian GIRM, following the universal GIRM since 1975, has only required us to kneel for the Consecration.

The most recent GIRM, implemented in 2011, does say that in those parishes where kneeling for the entire EP had been occurring it was laudable to maintain that.

 

[paperwight66]

I’m referring to the Masses of England and Wales (which are ever so slightly different) when I say that nearly all churches over here, as far as I am aware, kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer.

That’s an interesting comment. Where have you come across parishes in England who do not kneel? I’ve never seen any, but I haven’t been to all parishes, obviously!
What diocese are they in?

 

[ProVobis]

Our parish had not knelt during Mass for the past 13 or 14 years. A former pastor, who hated confrontation more than anything, had given in to two people who proclaimed that we were not supposed to kneel (based on the above quoted item from the Council of Nicea) and announced that we would no longer kneel at any time. Those same two people tried to take out the kneelers but were stymied by the rest of the parishioners when they submitted it to a vote.

Not to judge, but it seems those who choose to stand when the norm/tradition is to kneel or sit seem to draw a lot of attention to themselves, when the focus should be elsewhere. Just sayin…

 

[babochka]

Not to judge, but it seems those who choose to stand when the norm/tradition is to kneel or sit seem to draw a lot of attention to themselves, when the focus should be elsewhere. Just sayin…

In the case of Phemie’s parish, they were simply being obedient to their pastor. It doesn’t sound like anyone chose to kneel.

 

[Phemie]

Not to judge, but it seems those who choose to stand when the norm/tradition is to kneel or sit seem to draw a lot of attention to themselves, when the focus should be elsewhere. Just sayin…

But once the priest announces that we are not to kneel the ones who draw attention to themselves are those who opt to keep kneeling. For the most part they occupied the back pews, until I started kneeling too.

 

[ProVobis]

But once the priest announces that we are not to kneel the ones who draw attention to themselves are those who opt to keep kneeling.

Yes, but when everyone stands, how can you see how many people are sitting or kneeling? Not to mention, people who are short are obviously disadvantaged from seeing the altar altogether. You ever been at a ballgame where people behind you yell for you to sit down? I have and it’s not pretty.

 

[zab]

Yes, but when everyone stands, how can you see how many people are sitting or kneeling? Not to mention, people who are short are obviously disadvantaged from seeing the altar altogether. You ever been at a ballgame where people behind you yell for you to sit down? I have and it’s not pretty.

That is just what they must deal with if they are going to kneel when the pastor says to stand. But those who kneel should not complain about the view because others do as their pastor has instructed them. This has to be a very difficult position for at least some of these parishioners to be in.

 

[seakelp]

I think it’s a small enough thing that if the priest asked me to stand, I would stand. Even though kneeling might be more consistent with the “rule,” I’m sure the priest knows better than I do.

And plus, as someone mentioned above, it’s very possible to be reverent and stand.

Anyway, I just have a personal preference, and that preference happens to be the rule. I’m just lucky to be on the side of the rule, for once.

 

[ProVobis]

But those who kneel should not complain about the view because others do as their pastor has instructed them.

Not my point. If you’re 5ft 5in and everyone around you is 6ft or over, the best chance of seeing the altar is if everyone kneels or sits. If the crowd is sparse or everyone is 6 ft tall and the altar is raised 30 feet, I guess it doesn’t matter. Just trying to be practical here.

 

[zab]

Not my point. If you’re 5ft 5in and everyone around you is 6ft or over, the best chance of seeing the altar is if everyone kneels or sits. If the crowd is sparse or everyone is 6 ft tall and the altar is raised 30 feet, I guess it doesn’t matter. Just trying to be practical here.

If I am 5ft 2in and everyone in front of me is over 6ft ( and we do have some tall people in our parish ) it would be difficult to see over and around them no matter if they are standing, kneeling or sitting (unless I am standing behind them.) I don’t get your point.

 

[janeway529]

My old diocese in Southern California, where I was raised, had issued a change that we were to remain standing after The Lord’s Prayer. I was too young to know that this was the case when the change was made, so when I recently moved and everyone went back to kneel again, it caught me off guard. I do prefer the kneeling, though. I wonder why the other diocese changed it.

It’s been changed back for a long time now, but because of all the training during the experimental period, the old habit of standing still happens.

 

[MissRose73]

When I go to the Extraordinary Form, we kneel from the beginning of the Sanctus until Father starts the Pater Noster, then we kneel at the beginning of the Agnus Dei and then we rise for Communion, go to the rail & kneel to receive, then go back to the pew and kneel until the post Communion prayer then we remain standing til the end. Only at Low Mass after the ending and Last Gospel, do we kneel to recite the Leonine Prayers. The beginning parts of the Mass, it can vary when people kneel or stand for certain thing based on a High or Low Mass, and local customs.

Most dioceses I’ve been to in my state outside of my own, kneeling during most parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is the norm. I do as they do no matter if its a Holy Day, a daily Mass, or Sunday Mass.