What are we waiting for?: kneeling after communion [edited]

[EasterJoy]

Just to be clear about what is happening and when, when we return to our seats, the congregation mostly remains standing–just as they were when they were waiting to receive communion. Then as the priest and deacon are “cleaning up,” everyone kneels, but only until the reserved host goes into the tabernacle, then everyone stands again. The kneeling is probably 30 seconds or less. Not quite like the Good Friday prayers where you’re up/down, up/down, but still it seems to be a token kneel? Not sure.

If you’re in a diocese in which the faithful stand after the Agnus Dei, then very often nearly everyone will stand together until everyone has received. The posture taken after one receives isn’t enforced or anything, so much as a place might have an encouraged custom, I guess you’d say. Once the last person has received, then the rest take on whatever posture they choose for the sacred silence after Holy Communion–generally speaking, this is not standing, although some will invariably stand until the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the tabernacle. Again, within a parish, there will tend to be a uniformity about this, even though it isn’t strictly defined by rubrics. The purification of the vessels by one of the priests or deacons might start before the end of Holy Communion, but for obvious practical reasons it would only rarely be concluded by then. Sometimes it isn’t started until reception of communion concludes. The particulars differ from parish to parish and even from one celebrant to another within a diocese.

It is in the GIRM that “Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times.” The time after communion is one of those times: that is, there is to be a period after the readings (including the psalms), after the homily, after communion, and so on that is to be set aside for silent reflection. That is in the rubrics. The amount of time isn’t specified, though, only that there is to be such a time. The degree to which this mandatory time of silence is observed at all, though, let alone for how long, differs from parish to parish.

If you are feeling the period of sacred silence is too short for you, you might mention it to your pastor. Honest feedback, especially if it is given in humility, can be very useful.

 

[ElizabethPH]

Mass question! At our parish (where my wife and I are starting the RCIA process), the faithful normally remain standing until this last parishioner receives Holy Communion. Then we all kick out the kneelers and kneel for a few moments, before standing again. Are we kneeling because Father is placing the reserved Host in His Tabernacle? Or is it simply a short kneel out of respect for what has just occurred (the Communion)? Or is it out of respect for the priest?

So, why do we kneel for a few moments after Communion?

Signed,

We Didn’t Do That At The Episcopal Church (a/k/a SonofMonica)

I think it was a couple of years or so ago when we were told to stand (by the bishop, through the priest) well we tried but it didn’t work; half the folks knelt, half stood…now a few die hards will remain standing. Eventually the priest said it was OK not to stand.

 

[SonofMonica]

I think it was a couple of years or so ago when we were told to stand (by the bishop, through the priest) well we tried but it didn’t work; half the folks knelt, half stood…now a few die hards will remain standing. Eventually the priest said it was OK not to stand.

I have to admit that in the Episcopal Church we attended, it was much more solemn and spiritual feeling to be kneeling after communion. Of course, we knelt at the rail up front to receive, as well. I wish the Catholic Church would bring that back. It was one of my favorite times in TEC Mass.

 

[Melissa]

I am curious about the phrase “after Communion is observed.”

Is this to be understood as after an individual receives communion, or after the the last communicant receives communion? If the former, when do those who do not receive enter the sitting/kneeling phase described above?

The phrase here is actually “sacred silence is observed” with “after Communion” as an adverbial designating the when of the sacred silence.

Our pastor gave the kids a sheet with a half dozen prayers for personal prayer after Communion (choose one, they’re very similar, rather like seeing several variants of the Act of Contrition), so it’d seem to me that the best posture would be whatever facilitates your own silent prayers after receiving rather than worrying about uniformity amongst the congregation. Personally, when able, I prefer to kneel but some days my knees forbid it (arthritis thanks to a car accident) and it simply wasn’t possible when I was in the cast after breaking my ankle a year ago.

 

[EasterJoy]

I am curious about the phrase “after Communion is observed.”

Is this to be understood as after an individual receives communion, or after the the last communicant receives communion? If the former, when do those who do not receive enter the sitting/kneeling phase described above?

At most parishes I have been to, the singing goes on until after the last person receives communion. The silence sometimes commences before that, but rarely.

 

[ElizabethPH]

If the former, when do those who do not receive enter the sitting/kneeling phase described above?

They would kneel or sit, and I’ve seen them stand as well. If I’m not going I kneel the whole time(except when letting those by that are going) until the priest sits down.

Is that what your asking?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am curious about the phrase “after Communion is observed.”

Is this to be understood as after an individual receives communion, or after the the last communicant receives communion? If the former, when do those who do not receive enter the sitting/kneeling phase described above?

It means after you have receive Holy Communion and return to your place.

 

[jmcrae]

Mass question! At our parish (where my wife and I are starting the RCIA process), the faithful normally remain standing until this last parishioner receives Holy Communion. Then we all kick out the kneelers and kneel for a few moments, before standing again. Are we kneeling because Father is placing the reserved Host in His Tabernacle? Or is it simply a short kneel out of respect for what has just occurred (the Communion)? Or is it out of respect for the priest?

So, why do we kneel for a few moments after Communion?

Signed,

We Didn’t Do That At The Episcopal Church (a/k/a SonofMonica)

This is a custom at some parishes.

In most places, the custom is to kneel as soon as you return from receiving Holy Communion, pray the Anima Christi, or something to the same effect in your own words, and remain kneeling until the Host has been reserved in the Tabernacle, and the priest returns to his place.

There is no set rule on this particular aspect of the Mass, so it is usually best to do whatever everyone else in your parish is doing.

For myself, my preference is to kneel in humble adoration of my Lord and Saviour.

 

[DaveBj]

snip

For myself, my preference is to kneel in humble adoration of my Lord and Saviour.

That is my preference, and for the same reason, but also because my back threatens to go into spasm if I have to stand for a long period of time. Kneeling is much more comfortable.

DaveBj

 

[John_Lilburne]

At most parishes I have been to, the singing goes on until after the last person receives communion. The silence sometimes commences before that, but rarely.

Even if there is no singing, the priest is saying “The Body of Christ” and people are responding “Amen”. So the silence has not begun until the last person receives Communion.
The GIRM directs the singing: “86. While the priest is receiving the Sacrament, the Communion chant is begun. Its purpose is
to express the communicants’ union in spirit by means of the unity of their voices, to show joy
of heart, and to highlight more clearly the “communitarian” nature of the procession to receive
Communion. **The singing is continued for as long as the Sacrament is being administered to the
faithful.**74 If, however, there is to be a hymn after Communion, the Communion chant should be
ended in a timely manner.”

For Mass with a bishop, the 2002 GIRM says to follow the Ceremonial of Bishops: “112. … At a Mass celebrated by the Bishop or at which he presides without celebrating the Eucharist,
the norms found in the Caeremoniale Episcoporum should be observed.”

This Ceremonial of Bishops has: “166 When the bishop returns to the chair after communion, he puts on the skullcap and, if need be, washes his hands. All are seated and a period of prayerful silence may follow, or a song of praise or a psalm may be sung.” (Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 60.)

 

[cricker]

I have to admit, I am always rather puzzled at the insistance of many (**no one here in this thread **… just in general) on the issue of uniformity - especially when it is clearly indicated by Rome that individuals DO have a choice in some matters.

It’s not a synchronized performance, it is a gathering to worship and give thanks and praise to our Creator; to celebrate the Holy Mass.

I am currently visiting a local parish that only used folding chairs as seating … for possibly understandable reasons, the majority of the congregation stands during the consecration. While I have no issue with anyone standing, personally I drop to my knees. I cannot fatham standing before my God - if I could see Him in His true Glory (instead of veiled in the appearence of the bread and wine). I don’t think my legs would be able to support myself at that point. (As it is, they tremble before the Lamb, even as I approach to receive Him.) So the idea that anyone would be watching me and spending the time during that awesome moment to wish that I was standing so that ‘we were all uniform’ … it’s beyond me …

Just saying …

 

[jmcrae]

I have to admit, I am always rather puzzled at the insistance of many (**no one here in this thread **… just in general) on the issue of uniformity - especially when it is clearly indicated by Rome that individuals DO have a choice in some matters.

It’s not a synchronized performance, it is a gathering to worship and give thanks and praise to our Creator; to celebrate the Holy Mass.

I am currently visiting a local parish that only used folding chairs as seating … for possibly understandable reasons, the majority of the congregation stands during the consecration. While I have no issue with anyone standing, personally I drop to my knees. I cannot fatham standing before my God - if I could see Him in His true Glory (instead of veiled in the appearence of the bread and wine). I don’t think my legs would be able to support myself at that point. (As it is, they tremble before the Lamb, even as I approach to receive Him.) So the idea that anyone would be watching me and spending the time during that awesome moment to wish that I was standing so that ‘we were all uniform’ … it’s beyond me …

Same here - I get what you mean, about the synchronized performance - it’s about what’s in our hearts, and how we express that.

This is not to say that I approve of bringing private devotions into the context of the Mass - far from it - but I do believe that there is room for diversity within our public worship, without detracting from its public nature.

I say, let those who stand, be a reminder to all that we are brothers and sisters in Christ, worthy to stand with Him - and let those who kneel, be a reminder to all that Christ is no President, or Queen, or head of state - He is Divinity Himself, God our Creator.

We can all edify each other by the diversity of our postures.

 

[mairegal]

From a Cradle Catholic
the time after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist is an awesome time for the soul. I have always treasured that private time with HIm. When I moved to this diocese, i was expected to stand and sing - I couldn’t do it - I was miserable and empty not having my private time with Jesus. So I kneel and talk to Him, tell Him I love Him, ask Him for the graces He has brought to me and just listen too…contemplate the great Mysery of His love for us, that He is willing to become one with us, under the disguise of bread.
The Saints fell into ectasies after Holy Communion, To them, it was a time of intense communion and graces and thanksgivings. Holy Communion is an incredible spiritual experience but you have to pay attention to the Divine Visitor to your soul. Otherwise, it can be just a communal meal.

 

[JohnPaul64]

Mass question! At our parish (where my wife and I are starting the RCIA process), the faithful normally remain standing until this last parishioner receives Holy Communion. Then we all kick out the kneelers and kneel for a few moments, before standing again. Are we kneeling because Father is placing the reserved Host in His Tabernacle? Or is it simply a short kneel out of respect for what has just occurred (the Communion)? Or is it out of respect for the priest?

So, why do we kneel for a few moments after Communion?

Signed,

We Didn’t Do That At The Episcopal Church (a/k/a SonofMonica)

I kneel to give thanks to the Lord for His Body and Blood.

 

[Phemie]

The phrase here is actually “sacred silence is observed” with “after Communion” as an adverbial designating the when of the sacred silence.

That period of sacred silence starts when everyone has received Communion and the Communion chant is over. Why is it that in my parish that tends to be the noisiest time of the Mass?? It’s as though Communion was a signal that the Mass is over and in that period of ‘sacred silence’ the chatting starts.

I’ve been sorely tempted to put a note in the bulletin pointing out that this is a ‘silent’ period but the folks who chat might take offense and ‘we wouldn’t want that’. No, better we let them be bad examples for their children.

 

[Buddicca]

Since childhood I was told to kneel after communion was time to think about god and what I had just done ( in taking communion ) as an adult and actually reading formal instructions for mass - there are guidelines that instruct you to kneel afterwards and reflect / pray about having just shared the body and blood of Christ.
Personally I often find this a very intimate, emotional & up lifting moment.
A specific length of time is not stated in the instructions.
In the Catholic churches I have been in, in most parts of Australia, some in New Zealand or a few in Germany & the UK I have not been aware of anyone has stood after taking communion.
To be honest, I’ve never seen it before. :ehh:

:harp:

 

[Phemie]

Since childhood I was told to kneel after communion was time to think about god and what I had just done ( in taking communion ) as an adult and actually reading formal instructions for mass - there are guidelines that instruct you to kneel afterwards and reflect / pray about having just shared the body and blood of Christ.
Personally I often find this a very intimate, emotional & up lifting moment.
A specific length of time is not stated in the instructions.
In the Catholic churches I have been in, in most parts of Australia, some in New Zealand or a few in Germany & the UK I have not been aware of anyone has stood after taking communion.
To be honest, I’ve never seen it before. :ehh:

:harp:

And yet, if you read the GIRM, standing IS the posture for that part of Mass so standing and singing the Communion chant (which, let us not forget, IS praying) when you return from Communion is the norm. The Church has said clearly that while that is the norm, we are free to kneel or sit if we wish.

 

[Digitonomy]

"Digitonomy:

If the former, when do those who do not receive enter the sitting/kneeling phase described above?

They would kneel or sit, and I’ve seen them stand as well. If I’m not going I kneel the whole time(except when letting those by that are going) until the priest sits down.

Is that what your asking?

My question was specifically when does the silent period when one has the option of sitting or kneeling begin. John Lilburne’s post #30 seems to clarify that it technically only begins after everyone has received communion.

 

[Phemie]

My question was specifically when does the silent period when one has the option of sitting or kneeling begin. John Lilburne’s post #30 seems to clarify that it technically only begins after everyone has received communion.

The period of sacred silence referred to in the GIRM starts then, but Rome the clarification issued by Rome was for the period upon returning from Communion and the answer to that question was that we may sit, kneel, or stand, as we wish, upon returning from Communion.