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Michaela
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| Posted: July 18 2008 at 4:16pm | IP Logged
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Just a few questions that have been on my mind lately.
During the Summer months, our parish combines the two Sunday Masses. At least 100 chairs are brought in to accommodate everyone at one Mass.
My first two questions are about two things that happened last Sunday.
1st - We sat in the chairs, and at the consecration, I went to the floor on my knees. Everyone else around me, except one man in front of my children, remained seated. No, I didn't turn around looking instead of focusing, but I did notice before closing my eyes to keep my focus on the consecration. My children questioned me afterward. It would almost be considered comical, if it didn't happen during Mass...they were on the chair, off the chair, on the chair, then off the chair like me on their knees. I didn't want to say out loud, "It's the Consecration. Get on your Knees!" It may have sounded like I was chastising everyone else who remained seated. (Can you tell I'm losing my confidence lately!  )So, when there are no kneelers do you just sit in your chair?
2nd - Can a spouse (or anyone) ask for extra Eucharist while receiving, then bring it back to a person in the pew who cannot walk up to receive?
The last question is about something that happened two Sundays ago. I'd never thought about it before because of where we usually sit. After everyone has received Communion, a person takes the Consecrated Hosts to a side chapel. We all stand until that person is in the Chapel. Now, I have always thought it was because Christ is still present (Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity). As always, I watched the person walk to the chapel. This time, my eyes paused on a woman who bowed as the Consecrated Hosts passed her. WOW! What?! She was the only person to do that, BUT it had such an impact on me. Our Lord is being carried by....is there a difference when He is covered in a metal case vs. out in the open? Why wouldn't everyone bow at that moment?
Are these actions "showing off" or a distraction or being "holier than thou"? or outwards signs of faith?
I apologize for the length.
I'd appreciate any of your thoughts or feedback. 
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: July 18 2008 at 4:22pm | IP Logged
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FWIW
We have no kneelers at our church. We stand during the consecration--drives me crazy, wanting to kneel at the correct time. But, they are textured ceramic tile-hard-and I have a bad knee. I'd never get back up.
Our consecrated hosts also go to the chapel and the only one who remains standing is the priest. When I am on the aisle they go by on the way to the chapel, I do try to bow.
To me it is only respectful to our Lord. No one else does. I don't worry about it.
Anne
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Bridget
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| Posted: July 18 2008 at 4:42pm | IP Logged
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I'm usually in the back of church with little ones by the consecration. I kneel. It's hard floor. At our parish we kneel before and after communion. An extraordinary minister brings communion up to the choir. Many people in his path will genuflect as he passes.
(I have been at other parishes with only chairs too. I kneel.)
Kneeling before our Lord is an outward sign of faith and the reverence due Him. It has nothing to do with what others are doing or thinking.
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: July 18 2008 at 4:46pm | IP Logged
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I kneel no matter where we are. We avoid the Mass which is offered close to our home at a school because we do not like the fact that no one else kneels.
If someone cannot go forward to receive the Eucharist, the priest or Eucharistic Minister needs to bring it to that person. I suppose you can arrange that before Mass, probably tell an usher?
We remain kneeling until the priest has finished cleaning the vessels. Jesus is still present even if it is just the remnants of a host or a drop of the Precious Blood. It seems that most people don't understand this because they will often sit down after the tabernacle is closed or if the priest sits because a deacon is cleaning the vessels.
Honestly, you just can't worry about whether you seem "holier than thou". When our Lord is present on the altar, every kneel should bend. It is not our job to look around but to follow our conscience.
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Molly
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doris
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I completely agree with what others have said about the reverence due to our Lord. I was very struck by the devotion of the late Holy Father who would *always* kneel in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament -- even for a long time, and when he was in a frail physical state.
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: July 18 2008 at 5:23pm | IP Logged
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If dh or I are in the back with a little one during the consecration, we kneel. It's a hard floor. some people stand, most back there kneel. My exception is if I'm nursing without a sling.
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JennGM
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| Posted: July 18 2008 at 6:58pm | IP Logged
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Michaela wrote:
Just a few questions that have been on my mind lately.
During the Summer months, our parish combines the two Sunday Masses. At least 100 chairs are brought in to accommodate everyone at one Mass.
My questions are about two things that happened last Sunday.
We sat in the chairs, and at the consecration, I went to the floor on my knees. Everyone else around me, except one man in front of my children, remained seated. No, I didn't turn around looking instead of focusing, but I did notice before closing my eyes to keep my focus on the consecration. My children asked after what would almost be considered comical, if it didn't happen during Mass...on the chair, off the chair, on the chair, then off the chair like me on their knees. I didn't want to say out loud, "It's the Consecration. Get on your Knees!" It may have sounded like I was chastising everyone else who remained seated. (Can you tell I'm losing my confidence lately! )So, when there are no kneelers do you just sit in your chair? |
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This is the section from the General Instructions on the Roman Missal (GIRM) for the US on posture, emphasis mine:
Quote:
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.
43. The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance chant, or while the priest approaches the altar, until the end of the Collect; for the Alleluia chant before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Prayer of the Faithful; from the invitation, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren), before the prayer over the offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated below.
They should, however, sit while the readings before the Gospel and the responsorial Psalm are proclaimed and for the homily and while the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory is taking place; and, as circumstances allow, they may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.
In the dioceses of the United States of America, they 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.53
With a view to a uniformity in gestures and postures during one and the same celebration, the faithful should follow the directions which the deacon, lay minister, or priest gives according to whatever is indicated in the Missal. |
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Note that the original GIRM kneeling is only required for the epiclesis and consecration, and the US has kneeling from the Sanctus to the Great Amen, and for the Ecce Agnus Dei.
But in situations like yours, Michaela, there is valid reason NOT to kneel, due to tight space. It's generally hard to put your feet under those folding chairs. BUT it's also quite fine to kneel out of reverence. If I can, I generally kneel during the consecration if in a similar situation. I would kneel (and make my children) regardless of who else is or isn't.
Note your situation is different than those parishes that are removing kneelers and asking everyone to stand during the Consecration.
For further reading, Why Don't They Want Us to Kneel? from Adoremus. Do a search of this site for more interesting reading.
CUF Faith Fact: Eucharistic Consecration: Kneeling vs. Standing
Michaela wrote:
| Can a spouse (or anyone) ask for extra Eucharist while receiving, then bring it back to a person (or people)in the pew who cannot walk up to receive? |
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I don't have the documents to back me up, but in general one must be a priest, deacon or Eucharistic Minister to perform this duty. The proper thing to do is to ask the minister to come and bring the Eucharist to the person in the pew.
Michaela wrote:
The last question is about something that happened two Sundays ago. I've never thought about it before because of where we usually sit. After everyone had received Communion, there is a person who takes the Consecrated Hosts to a side chapel. We all stand until that person is in the Chapel. Now, I have always thought it was because Christ is still present (Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity). As always, I watched the person walk to the chapel. This time, my eyes paused on a woman who struck up a conversation with me in the parking lot on the way into Mass. She bowed as the Consecrated Hosts passed her. WOW! What?! She was the only person to do that, BUT it had such an impact on me. Our Lord is being carried by....is there a difference when He is covered in a metal case vs. out in the open? Why wouldn't everyone bow at that moment?
Are these actions "showing off" or a distraction or being "holier than thou"? outwards signs of faith? |
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As far as after communion, this is a good summary and CUF Faith Fact: Kneeling After Communion.
And to sum up quite briefly your underlying question of "why isn't anyone else doing this?", it's mainly because people aren't instructed about the Real Presence. It's ignorance. If you're not taught and reminded, you forget. Most people are coming to Church Sunday only. Are they hearing it at the pulpit?
The examples you gave of adoration and respect aren't out of line or over the top, nor do I think they are holier-than-thou.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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nissag
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| Posted: July 19 2008 at 8:41pm | IP Logged
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If you are comfortable kneeling on the floor, then do so. If a person, for whatever reason, is unable to kneel, they may sit - in a posture of appropriate reverence (i.e. head deeply bowed).
As for bringing extra Eucharist back to someone else, I don't think that would be allowed in most cases. The ministers are instructed to ensure that the Eucharist is consumed in their presence. Better to ask the minister to bring Him to the person. Normally folks who are unable to stand and walk for communion are seated towards the front so that the minister can bring communion to them - at least in my experience. When I was in my wheelchair, I was allowed to put my chair in row 2 or 3 so that Father could walk over to me.
Blessings,
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Nissa
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Mass Etiquette - the little things
