Kneeling - Redux

I made a post last week about Kneeling. As is the case with many posts, it was more of an attempt at thinking something out, as opposed to being an authoritative statement on a belief I hold. Mindyleigh, of The Devout Life added some great thoughts to the overall discussion.

So I decided to re-read the section on kneeling in The Spirit of the Liturgy - by then: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. One part really stuck out, and seems to sum up the way I think about kneeling. It might not specifically answer the "Why of kneeling" but it strikes at the core of its importance.

Pope Benedict, writing as Cardinal Ratzinger wrote:

"...for this culture has turned away from the faith and no longer knows the One before whom kneeling is the right, indeed the intrinsically necessary gesture. The man who learns to believe learns to kneel, and a faith or a liturgy no longer familiar with kneeling would be sick at the core. Where it has been lost, kneeling must be rediscovered, so that, in our prayer, we remain in fellowship with the apostles and martyrs, in fellowship with the whole cosmos, indeed in union with Jesus Christ Himself."

I think this passage is quite clear. This is not to say that standing is necessarily inappropriate, especially at the direction of the Bishop. Instead, it is a justification for those that do kneel. In fact, it comes in the form of a mandate that we DO kneel, when appropriate, and that if kneeling has been abandoned in total, it should be reclaimed.

I know in our Archdiocese, standing has been implemented after the reception of communion as a means to unify the community. This should not be reason for individuals or congregations to abandon kneeling altogether, and unfortunately, this is the casualty of this directive. I have only seen one other parish where the Bishop diverged from the GIRM in this manner, and the same result occurred. Folks would return to the pews and either sit immediately, or stand and then EVERYONE would sit.

This wouldn't be such a big deal except when one row sits, the row behind cannot easily kneel. As a kneeler, I dont mind it so much... but I cannot say the same for the people in front of me that make a face, noise, or action that displays their displeasure. As the Pope wrote, "we must seek to remain...in union with Jesus Christ." I can think of no other time more appropriate to posture ourselves in such a way to physically create such a union, then immediately following the reception of the Body and Blood of Angels, the Eucharistic True Presence of God.

Having said that... it is a difficult thing to kneel at the reception of communion, when the GIRM creates a different norm for the United States and when it allows for a Bishop to change the post-communion posture. Such allowances create an uncomfortable situation for many. Any change is difficult... but I can tell you this... there is an easy solution...

Bring back Altar Rails.
When folks approach, they kneel. If they cant kneel they stand. If they can't walk up - an EMHC will bring them the Precious Body and Blood.
What changes? Those that can... kneel.
When folks return to the pews... have the GIRM say, stand of kneel until all receive the Eucharist. Then... sit or kneel... problem solved. 

Until then where should we look for guidance? Rome would be a good place... 

The Holy Father's reasoning is simple: "We Christians kneel before the Blessed Sacrament because, therein, we know and believe to be the presence of the One True God." (May 22, 2008)


According to the pope the entire Church should kneel in adoration before God in the Eucharist. "Kneeling in adoration before the Eucharist is the most valid and radical remedy against the idolatries of yesterday and today" (May 22, 2008)

CNS STORY: Vatican: Receiving Eucharist kneeling will be norm

Pope Benedict to Catholics: Kneel For Communion

Clerical Whispers: Pope Benedict to Catholics: Kneel For Communion

Vatican Newspaper Article Says Catholics Should Receive Communion ...

YouTube - Communion Kneeling and on the Tongue is Preferred Form ...

etc...

The GIRM, Diocesan Norms and Kneeling at Mass: Archdiocese of Anchorage

All postures at Mass are purposeful. They bring us closer to the Sacred through their purpose and proper place in the Mass. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) is the controlling document on all actions and functions of the Mass. There are in fact specific sections that concern the gestures and postures that the faithful should adhere to:

Movements and Posture
42. The gestures and posture of the priest, the deacon, and the ministers, as well as those of the people, ought to contribute to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, so that the true and full meaning of the different parts of the celebration is evident and that the participation of all is fostered. Therefore, attention should be paid to what is determined by this General Instruction and the traditional practice of the Roman Rite and to what serves the common spiritual good of the People of God, rather than private inclination or arbitrary choice.

A common posture, to be observed by all participants, is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered for the Sacred Liturgy: it both expresses and fosters the intention and spiritual attitude of the participants.

One of the most discussed and misapplied postures is that of kneeling. The confusion usually occurs after the Agnus Dei because there is a Diocesan option available, that when used, is often misused and even abused. The GIRM states:

43(c) : In the dioceses of the United States of America, they [the faithful] should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason. Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.

The final clause in this section is where confusion and abuse generally set in. Bishops do have the ability to  change the posture for this period, so we have to look to what the Bishop directs in this instance. In Anchorage, the Bishop has opted to diverge from the GIRM:

• Upon completion of the Holy Holy until after the Great Amen: KNEEL
• From the beginning of the Lord's Prayer and continuing as each receives Holy Communion (may bow head to venerate the Holy Sacrament) STAND
• Upon return to pew following reception of Communion: STAND
• After all ahve [sic] received Communion during sacred silence following Holy Communion: SIT or KNEEL

What is confusing is that in most Parishes that I have been to in Alaska, no one actually kneels during the Sacred Silence, if in fact there is a Sacred Silence. So the question becomes whether a person should adhere to the GIRM, which isn't the norm for the Archdiocese and therefore against the norms; or should the faithful adhere to the Diocesan Norms which aren't adhered to by the faithful? 

I personally find myself conflicted. After coming from an Archdiocese where the GIRM was adhered to strictly, I find myself in discontinuity with the rest of the faithful in my Parish. After researching the Archdiocesan norms, I find that in fact, if I were to unify myself with my Parish, I would be out of step not only with the GIRM, but the Diocesan Norms, which although valid and licit, are not adhered to. So what am I, and other faithful to do? This is only one example of discontinuity.

Hopefully, with the introduction of the New Missal, as Parishes will necessarily undergo the need to provide Liturgical Catechesis, these problems will be addressed and rectified. Although I am under no illusion that unification of posture and gestures at Mass will themselves create an authentic Catholic community, it is in fact impossible to have such a community without continuity and unification as to the GIRM.