Too old to genuflect

[BlyssfulDreamer]

I’m 47 and don’t have a problem with genuflecting, but I screwed up my lower back in the Air Force, so when I’m kneeling I have to rest my behind on the edge of the pew behind me, or my back just slaughters me. It looks a little funny to have me, at my age, half-sitting in the pew, when many older folks are kneeling bolt upright on the kneelers, but to avoid dull, throbbing pain, I’ll risk looking a little funny.

I have felt the same way and I am going to be 60 this year. We can only do what out bodies allow us to do. Our heart is in it and I don’t think the good Lord would require more of us than that.

I make a half-genuflection and half-bow and that works pretty good for me.

What is embarrassing is having your knee give a big old crack as I reposition myself on my knees during the consecration.

 

[CarrieH]

What is embarrassing is having your knee give a big old crack as I reposition myself on my knees during the consecration.

My knee does that, too, and I don’t care so much about the cracking sound as I do about the discomfort (which I offer up). I could try to genuflect, but I can’t get back up again at all gracefully, even with something to hold on to. It would be awkward and disruptive. I have tried to “practice” at home, holding onto furniture, but it just doesn’t work for me. If anyone is tempted to judge me for not genuflecting, let this “joyful noise” from my knee be their wakeup call!

 

[anamchara]

Did anyone see the man at ground zero who came up to the Pope and tried to kneel to kiss is ring? He was obviously crippled, you could tell when he was walking toward the Pope. It was so touching to see this crippled man want to kneel but couldn’t. Bless his heart, he tired for a split second then I think he realized he wasn’t going to be able to. And you could see the look of understanding on the Holy Fathers face. Very moving.

It all comes from the heart and that passion we have often over rides the discomfort. But if you simply can’t do it then I see no need to worry over it. Most of the people I see try their best.

 

[AngelRose81]

I’m only 27 and when I went to genuflect the other day and I lost my balance and fell into my pew. It was before a daily Mass so there was only one other person in the church but he helped me up. It was funny after the fact.

 

[mercygate]

I’m only 27 and when I went to genuflect the other day and I lost my balance and fell into my pew. It was before a daily Mass so there was only one other person in the church but he helped me up. It was funny after the fact.

Now, AngelRose, ya gotta go easy on the Bushmill’s before Mass, honey!

 

[First_of_9]

May 1969 has finally caught up with me.

I can only genuflect when I have a pew or some other sturdy support on the way down AND up. and between a bad knee and even worse back, kneeling is on one knee while leaning against the pew.

I can still bow some.

I’m sure God understands–look how old He is

 

[AngelRose81]

Now, AngelRose, ya gotta go easy on the Bushmill’s before Mass, honey!

I’ll try to do better next time

shaking head in shame

 

[mercygate]

I can still bow some.

I’m sure God understands–look how old He is

I HEAR you. I’m pushin’ 70 and although I CAN still genuflect without falling over sideways, I tend to touch the pew for balance, and I have caught myself putting my hands on the pew in front of me when I go from kneeling or sitting to standing. Time’s winged chariot and all that.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

I guess I can join this club. For a long time, I couldn’t genuflect at all, not even a little (injury + arthritis). Now I can (arthritis only), as long as there are pew-backs I can lean on for support, with both arms, on the way down, and back up again.

Kneeling is still out of the question, unless I have about two feet of soft padding to kneel on. I could manage for a few seconds, but no longer than that (in the confessional, I end up supporting most of my weight on my arms, on that little arm-rest shelf that sticks out under the grill. This is possibly the only time, and only situation, in which I am grateful that most confessions don’t go on for too long. )

 

[daeve]

Another precinct here…I abused my knees as a dancer for the first 30 years of my life, and being fat the next (almost) 30 years, so at 58, the injuries, arthritis and disc issues have made kneeling is pretty much out of the question. I stand in the confessional, or I just go around the corner and sit down with Father.

On New Year’s Day I went to a Latin Mass. There’s no communion rail so they use the first pew for now. Everyone files through the pews to the center aisle, then back into the first one to kneel there. Well, I decided not to call attention to myself, and got down on my knees. Even though it really really hurt to be on those knees, I could not get back up. A man in his 70s had to help me. I sing in a different parish so I don’t go to that one very often, but I won’t be getting down on the knees again. The last seat in each pew doesn’t have kneeler in front of it, so I usually just sit there.

So OP, just do what you can and know there are tons of people out here doing the same thing.