The Kneeler: Gentle note for safety:)

[Kathryn_Ann]

Just a gentle request I hope people will remember to put the kneeler in its “up” position when leaving the pew for any reason. People returning after Holy Eucharist may not see that it’s left down and can trip and fall or get a nasty ankle bruise. Sometimes, one person returns to the pew ahead of others for various reasons, not realizing people have to step “over” a bit, and so I just hope people will be considerate. Thanksgiving blessings to all here:angel1::angel1:
:harp:

 

[Phemie]

Just a gentle request I hope people will remember to put the kneeler in its “up” position when leaving the pew for any reason. People returning after Holy Eucharist may not see that it’s left down and can trip and fall or get a nasty ankle bruise. Sometimes, one person returns to the pew ahead of others for various reasons, not realizing people have to step “over” a bit, and so I just hope people will be considerate. Thanksgiving blessings to all here:angel1::angel1:
:harp:

What about if they’re kneeling?

 

[Blenderx]

What about if they’re kneeling?

If its after Holy Communion, the person should have the courtesy to wait to put down the kneeler until everyone has returned to that pew.

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

:angel1:

What about if they’re kneeling?

*This is about when leaving *the pew and others have to pass by. **:angel1:

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

If its after Holy Communion, the person should have the courtesy to wait to put down the kneeler until everyone has returned to that pew.

:bowdown:
:clapping::harp: ** Exactly!**

 

[Jayne_L]

It really depensds on the parish. At my home parish, the kneelers are never up. If I did so when leaving the seat the others sitting in my row wouldn’t know what the proprer etiquette is.

If each seat has their own kneeler perhaps this is good advice, but it’s not necessarily universal and true for every church.

 

[Joan_M]

It really depends on the parish. At my home parish, the kneelers are never up. If I did so when leaving the seat the others sitting in my row wouldn’t know what the proprer etiquette is.

Exactly! Here in Trinidad some churches have kneelers that can be raised and some don’t. The only time I have seen kneelers raised was when the cleaners had not yet finished putting them down after cleaning the floor!

I’m glad that they are always down - at Mass in churches in other countries I was quite horrified by the noise of kneelers clunking down. Unless pews are really close together there is no need for kneelers to be raised at all.

 

[MissRose73]

Thank you for that post. I also wish that people would try better to put down and up kneelers a bit more quietly too due to the noise levels.

 

[TrueLight]

I find it really annoying when I am sharing a kneeler with someone and they put it up every time we stand.

For example, if one knows soon after the Patre Nostre one is going to kneel for the Agnus Dei, then why put up the kneeler and then we both have to quickly bend to put it back down in time for the Agnus Dei?

 

[MarkThompson]

I find it really annoying when I am sharing a kneeler with someone and they put it up every time we stand.

And I find it really annoying when people don’t put the kneeler up, or more to the point, when they prevent me from putting it up (without making a fuss) by standing or sitting with a foot perched on it. I hate having to stand way back with my calves pressed against the edge of the pew, or sit with no leg room or my knees hunched up (I’m over 6 feet tall).

 

[Gordon_Sims]

And I find it really annoying when people don’t put the kneeler up, or more to the point, when they prevent me from putting it up (without making a fuss) by standing or sitting with a foot perched on it. I hate having to stand way back with my calves pressed against the edge of the pew, or sit with no leg room or my knees hunched up (I’m over 6 feet tall).

I have to second this. I’m also over 6 feet tall, and have very long legs and big feet. If I can’t put the kneeler up every time we stand, it’s very uncomfortable and I’m stuck with my calves against the pew and having to shuffle my feet around since they’re stuck under the kneeler.

Something else that’s not only annoying but potentially painful for tall people is when the person in the pew behind them doesn’t kneel yet refuses to put the kneeler down at the appropriate times. With that kneeler behind me up, I’m unable to put my legs straight back and have to kneel with my legs at an angle. I’ve had knee problems in the past and if it’s a longer Mass this can leave me in pain for hours, if not the whole day.

 

[MarkThompson]

Something else that’s not only annoying but potentially painful for tall people is when the person in the pew behind them doesn’t kneel yet refuses to put the kneeler down at the appropriate times. With that kneeler behind me up, I’m unable to put my legs straight back and have to kneel with my legs at an angle. I’ve had knee problems in the past and if it’s a longer Mass this can leave me in pain for hours, if not the whole day.

Oh yes, that too. I can usually bend my legs off to one side or turn them inward and cross my ankles over each other; otherwise I must scoot my knees forward such that my weight is actually resting on the upper part of my shins. Whatever the case, it is never comfortable. (On the plus side, I don’t mind a little “penitential” discomfort when I am kneeling. But then again, I don’t have your knee problems.)

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

And I find it really annoying when people don’t put the kneeler up, or more to the point, when they prevent me from putting it up (without making a fuss) by standing or sitting with a foot perched on it. I hate having to stand way back with my calves pressed against the edge of the pew, or sit with no leg room or my knees hunched up (I’m over 6 feet tall).

**Thank you! :clapping::clapping::clapping:Yes, I also agree about the foot perchers: We need to kneel there, so it is not nice to put one’s shoe where someone will be kneeling.

In general, it would be so nice if people would just be aware and considerate of their fellow worshippers. Recently, a long pew of parishioners stood up to go to receive Holy Communion but could not pass by a young lady who had planted herself, eyes closed, kneeling so that no one could get past her. Her mother was seated, and seemed astonished that people needed to pass by! After a very awkward few moments, she tapped the girl on the shoulder so that we could pass. The girl was oblivious to our pleading expressions, but took a seat so that we could get by and go to receive the Holy Eucharist.

As to the post about churches where kneelers are permanently in the lowered position for some reason, most of those attending are aware of that and used to it, I suppose.

As to possible noise caused by raising and lowering kneelers, I’ve been attending my parish for several years now and it’s rarely a problem. The main thing is consideration and kindness. Even if someone does make a faux pas, we are not to glare at them, but look kindly on them. Someone may be new to the faith or just visiting for the first time. No matter what happens, I know Our Lord would want us to express compassion as we encounter these challenges. :angel1:

These forums are so good to raise awareness of ways to consider others. On a side note, I especially feel for young parents struggling in the pew with crying babies, bottles, diaper bags and people glaring at them. For the most part, the parents rush out to the nursery at the first little sign of their baby crying, but we musn’t look unkindly on anyone. I think of Blessed Mother Teresa telling us to offer a smile to everyone! I know Jesus would like us to be friendly, even when we’ve bruised yet another ankle (OUCH!!) on a kneeler left down**

 

[TrueLight]

And I find it really annoying when people don’t put the kneeler up, or more to the point, when they prevent me from putting it up (without making a fuss) by standing or sitting with a foot perched on it. I hate having to stand way back with my calves pressed against the edge of the pew, or sit with no leg room or my knees hunched up (I’m over 6 feet tall).

Well, I’m not 6 feet tall.

I do stretch my legs over the kneeler to the other side.

Anyway, I say if one wants the kneelers up, then one should be quick about putting them down when it is time too!

 

[promethius]

Something else that’s not only annoying but potentially painful for tall people is when the person in the pew behind them doesn’t kneel yet refuses to put the kneeler down at the appropriate times. With that kneeler behind me up, I’m unable to put my legs straight back and have to kneel with my legs at an angle. I’ve had knee problems in the past and if it’s a longer Mass this can leave me in pain for hours, if not the whole day.

I never have that problem myself (I’m just tall enough to touch the kneeler behind me if it’s left up)… but I’m glad you have more patience than I do. I’d kick their kneeler over, let it clunk, and then turn and glare at them so that everyone thought they made the noise.

Okay, I kid, I kid, I wouldn’t scandalize the mass that way, but I’d be tempted…