Told we must stand after the Agnus Dei

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There is clearly a kind of clericalism at work in insisting on standing. Now, it is clear from documents of the early Roman Rite such as the Ordine Romani I, which is a description of the Papal Mass shortly after the Gregorian reforms, that there was no kneeling in the Mass. The basic posture of respect was standing - but they also never sat during the Mass, which lasted three hours. Incidentally the gesture of reverence for the blessed Sacrament was as nod of the head, which the Pope gave when approached by the acolytes bearing the pyxes with the Host inside which they took to the parish churches of Rome on Sundays (No priest in Rome at that time was allowed to consecrate the bread and wine on Sunday- only the Pope). The description of the Mass in ancient Rome should make it clear that we can’t replicate it, for all sorts of reasons. There is value in reflecting that the Liturgy of the Mass gives thanks to God for allowing us to stand in His presence and serve him. As laity, we carry this respectful service to God into the world at large.
But priests and experts should also honor the need of the faithful to take the most reverent posture, whether or not it is the most ancient.
 
LittleFlower378 said:
The parish in my boundary the people stand,
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Don’t the Eastern Rites stand for the entire Divine Liturgy? The last time I was at a Byzantine liturgy there was very little sitting, and no kneeling at all. If the rules/customs can be different, how can we assert that any certain posture is disrespectful or reflects a loss of faith?
 
YourNameHere said:
Many who come in the church rarely genuflect before they enter a pew or when they pass in front of the cross.
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Maybe because they know to genuflect to the tabernacle, and not the cross, or simply to enter a pew?
 
There is no Tabernacle in the Church, it’s off to the side in our parish 😔… So I bow to the altar when I enter the Church and bow again to the altar when I enter the pew.
 
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My personal opinion is to kneel and that is what the GIRM says. I don’t find standing disrespectful but no one should be forced to stand. In my opinion the parish should follow the standards of the GIRM unless the Bishop says something different and according to others even then people can still kneel.
 
YourNameHere said:
Other who kneel during the mass do not kneel properly, but kind of prop part of their posterior on the pew seat.
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Some people have knee issues and cannot kneel for long periods of time. Let’s not assume impropriety if they lean against the pew.
 
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Thank you. My knees are shot. I have been offered shots for them but keep putting them off. Kneeling steep stairs and hills make my knees scream. I do it as long as I can and then plunk my bum on the pew.
 
Yes, I understand that Janet. I was speaking of those who appear to be fit as a fiddle once they are outside of the Church.
 
JanetF said:
Some people have knee issues and cannot kneel for long periods of time. Let’s not assume impropriety if they lean against the pew.
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I do this, but is because of a back problem. It is disappointing because I love kneeling during the Mass! Unfortunately, some of the structures make it impossible - kneelers to close to the pew in front, etc. It is a lot easier to kneel on the floor, but I have also been told by the priest to stand during the Eucharist.
 
OraLabora said:
In Canada, and most of the world, we only kneel through the Consecration and we rise at the Mystery of the Faith. The US is the exception to the rule, not the standard.
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In the UK, we kneel after the Agnus Dei.
 
I’m sorry, but there should be no judging of how people kneel. They might seem “fit as a fiddle” outside, but you really don’t know if they are in pain when they kneel. They could have all sorts of health ailments you are unaware of. I think in these cases one should be minding one’s own business and not worrying if other people kneel “correctly.” The focus should be on receiving the Blessed Sacrament, not on the people around us.
 
LittleFlower378 said:
he parish in my boundary the people stand, I always kneel(with some others) because thats what the GIRM says and the Bishop hasn’t changed that from what I know. I have been wanting to ask the pastor why the people stand since we moved into the parish 2 years ago. It’s funny though at the earliest Sunday Mass all the people kneel… I feel like some of the things they do at the parish is like we are lab rats in testing. I am not hot
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If you want to kneel, you have every right to continue kneeling.

Also, your parish should NOT be forcing people to stand (as the default norm) unless your local bishop has decided to do that.
 
Can the local Bishop authorize just only my parish to stand? Because I know for a fact it’s not for other Churchs?.
 
LittleFlower378 said:
Can the local Bishop authorize just only my parish to stand? Because I know for a fact it’s not for other Churchs?.
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Yes, he COULD. However, I don’t think he would.

If this is bothering you, please ask your priest where this is coming from.
 
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Never satisfied with the answer?

If you are looking for something to “correct the priest with” you likely wont find it here.
You may kneel.
Just do it and don’t look for validation or a reason to “correct” him.
Your thoughts shoudl be elsewhere during the Mass.
 
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