Would you like to have kneelers for communion back in style?

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I would love to. The nearest one is like an hour away. I want to go sometime.
 
Definitley go. I was raised in OF, but the EF Is what its name says- utterly extraordinary.
 
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I think. It would be helpful if theyhad kneelers on the side of the alter. for the communion service
 
almost2 said:
I think. It would be helpful if theyhad kneelers on the side of the alter. for the communion service
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When it was the norm for people to receive communion on their knees, the kneelers were in front of the altar.
 
I did not imply anything; I stated facts. And dirt floors have nothing to do with my comment.
 
@jason84173

otjm is quite correct. They originated as a way to keep the faithful away form the Sanctuary as centuries ago only the ordained could be near the altars. There is a labyrinth outside of a famous Cathedral in Paris that was used by the faithful to walk around and pray Hail Mary’s and such while they waited for the few times Holy Communion would be offered to them through the wrought iron grill. They could only receive sporadically. It wasn’t until Pope Pius X (Pope in 1903-1940) that people could commune daily, and children as well.
Get some good books on the history of the church.
People who write these articles have placed their own opinions and wishful things, desires, and theologies on things of the past. But often, misunderstood or misrepresented.
 
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At the OF I attend on weekdays, the priests have no problem with CITH or COTT (standing or kneeling).

At the EF I attend on Sundays and holy days (same Parish) we of course use the communion rail. Those who cannot kneel simply stand at the rail and receive on the tongue. There are also a few elderly and handicapped parishioners who sit in the front pews and the priest praying either form of the Mass will bring Communion to the pew for them.

On Sundays and Holy Days both forms of the Mass are offered at my parish. We are blessed to have such a parish where there is no need of bickering over one form of the Mass or the other, nor any bickering over the method of receiving Holy Communion.

At any rate, there is this from the Vatican site.

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/details/ns_lit_doc_20091117_comunione_en.html
 
pianistclare said:
They could only receive sporadically. It wasn’t until Pope Pius X (Pope in 1903-1940) that people could commune daily
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Pius X died in 1914, not 1940.

But that is definitely correct. Pius changed the protocol for communion of the faithful rather profoundly from the 19th Century paradigm.
 
I didn’t mean to type that, 03-14 was his Pontificate, yes, thanks for the correction.
 
I’d personally like it but churches/the Church needs to determine what’s best and I’m fine with that.
 
Milt said:
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phil19034:
What do you mean? Do you mean kneelers in the pews? If so, the OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Catholic Churches have them.
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That all depends on what country you live in.
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True… but still, the majority of Catholic Churches kneel.
 
I went to light a candle this afternoon after mass and knelt down there. The old altar rail encloses the candles and 5 day candles, so it is the same there as it used to be.

No, I would not like to have the kneelers back. I am not a senior citizen yet, but I know I would have trouble standing up after receiving. Seeing as the majority of my parish is 70 plus years in age, I don’t think it would be a good thing. I don’t think our pastor has any plans to do so either.
 
Yes on the Kneel Rails, along with Alter returned to the wall to hold the Tabernacle, Priest back to us. I would like traditional reverence and respect return among the people.Everyone be on the same page. Its too confusing and distracting today.
 
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Perhaps something could be thought of in place of it for people with difficulties or Seniors, but not exactly different. Great mention, you reminded me of something I meant to talk about with another person, and forgot. Thank you!
 
I applaud your concern (at 61, kneeling sometimes is uncomfortable for me) but OTOH, as far as I remember back in the day:
A. Not everybody went up to the communion rail because not everyone was in a state of grace at every Mass.
B. If somebody could not physically get to the rail and kneel, then Father and the altar servers went to them (they were by this time at the end of the pew, or had arranged to seat themselves in a specific area down front which was easy access).
C. This is, IMO, a real use for EMHC as opposed to having umpty communion lines. Suppose there are, in a congregation of say 200, 30 or 40 people who have arthritis or a broken leg or fibromyalgia etc. Suppose as is usual there are about 5 EHMCs. Each EHMC can then carry communion to 6 to 8 people during the time that the other people go to the rail.

To me it’s a win-win. As has been mentioned often, actions and perceptions have a powerful effect on the psyche. Having the rail and kneeling emphasizes the Sacredness of the Lord. Having people attend to those with infirmity/difficulty emphasizes mercy and meeting people where they are. All can participate fully.
 
Or a congregation in a smallish parish in the Northeast. “The graying of American Catholicism”. . .
 
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