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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Dec 29 2009 at 11:24am | IP Logged
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I am surprised to see this re-activated.
I did all the research and as a family we decided to stand before, because really I could let that one go, and all kneel after receiving. It made dh happy AND I will not have a priest bonking me on the head telling me I am doing it all wrong--as all the documents point to you can do either. We also sit near a few other families who also kneel and it makes us a little more comfy. And I get my time with Jesus where I need to be.
I am very interested to hear others' experiences. I find the cultures of our church very interesting.
Thank you all for sharing.
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Anne, married to dh 16 years!, ds,(97), Little One (02), and dd (02).
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folklaur
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| Posted: Dec 29 2009 at 12:00pm | IP Logged
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i, personally, would be a little careful of saying things like, "it's more reverent."
(i'm using a general *you* here, not any specific *you*)
it's not, really. it may feel that way, because in your mind you have equated it to be so. which is understandable within the Latin rite.
but - Byzantine Catholics stand. they have always stood. Standing, in their view, is a symbol of the resurrection.
they are no less reverent. and they are just as fully Catholic.
here is a Q&A from a Melkite Catholic site:
Quote:
Why do the People Stand During the whole Divine Liturgy?
Standing is the normal posture of prayer in the Eastern Christian liturgical tradition representing the resurrection of Christ. Living during the period c. AD 160-220, Tertullian refers to this tradition as the norm in the Latin West as well:
We consider it unlawful to fast or to pray kneeling on Sundays and from the day of Pascha to that of Pentecost (De Cor. Mil. s. 3, 4).
This liturgical tradition was later declared at the council of Nicea in AD 325 to be the universal practice for the Church:
Since there are certain persons who are kneeling on Sunday and the period from Pascha until Pentecost, it has seemed good to the holy Council to declare, so that all things may be uniformly observed everywhere, that prayer to the Lord should be made during these times standing (Canon 20).
For this reason, Eastern Christians stand during liturgical services occurring from Pascha until Pentecost, and every Sunday throughout the year. Standing however, is not expected of anyone who is physically compromised such as the elderly, pregnant, infirmed, or just tired.
Do you ever Kneel in an Eastern Church?
Kneeling is the normal posture of penitence in the Eastern Christian tradition. Eastern Christians often kneel during liturgical services held on days other than Sunday and the period from Pascha until Pentecost. Kneeling however, is not expected of anyone who is physically compromised in any way as noted above concerning standing. |
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Gloria JMJ
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| Posted: Dec 29 2009 at 2:10pm | IP Logged
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Thank you Laura for bringing this to light.
What I could have said is that it is more humbling and conductive to adoration. I find it too easy to drift into people watching when standing.
As for the word reverent, I beg to differ. I would never kneel to speak with my neighbor, but it is totally appropriate for speaking with my God. It would be great if the church observed the law as it is written in your documentation and taught the 'why' behind it, but it would probably be more beneficial to daily mass attendees as an example. Those who are only able to attend Sunday mass would never see the difference. The Latin rite changed it for some reason and that would be interesting to know why.
You are right though, It does 'feel' more reverent.
Now to get the taste of leather out of my mouth  .
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Smoothing Stones Holy Family Rosaries
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Willa
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| Posted: Dec 29 2009 at 2:23pm | IP Logged
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Here's a website discussing the General Instruction of the Roman Missal about this topic.
IT states:
Quote:
| "they may kneel or sit during the period of religious silence after Communion" |
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also:
Quote:
POSTURE OF THE FAITHFUL
This adaptation will be inserted at number 43, paragraph 2:
They should sit during the readings before the Gospel reading and during the responsorial psalm, for the homily and the preparation of the gifts, and, if this seems helpful, they may kneel or sit during the period of religious silence after Communion.
This adaptation will be inserted at number 43, paragraph 3:
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 ocassion 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.
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Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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folklaur
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| Posted: Dec 29 2009 at 2:45pm | IP Logged
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Gloria JMJ wrote:
Now to get the taste of leather out of my mouth . |
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no, no, no. no eating shoe leather. blech.
that wasn't why i said it. honest. i would feel bad if i made you feel bad!!! and i didn't mean to single you out.
it is sometimes hard, especially since mainly in the US we are Latin rite, to assume that our way is not only the right way for the Latin rite, but just, "the right way." there are so many customs in the church (postures, whether a married man can become a priest, what "fasting" entails and when you do it, how communion is distributed, communion for infants, etc, etc, etc...) and they are all just as right, and just as valid - and they are different.
Often, (not in this case, just in general) i have seen people from the Latin rite, in an attempt to justify the way the Catholic Church does something as the "right way" to protestants, they don't realize they are also basically telling all the Eastern Catholics they are not quite as right either.
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stacykay
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| Posted: Dec 29 2009 at 3:24pm | IP Logged
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mom2mpr wrote:
I am surprised to see this re-activated.
I did all the research and as a family we decided to stand before, because really I could let that one go, and all kneel after receiving. It made dh happy AND I will not have a priest bonking me on the head telling me I am doing it all wrong--as all the documents point to you can do either. We also sit near a few other families who also kneel and it makes us a little more comfy. And I get my time with Jesus where I need to be.
I am very interested to hear others' experiences. I find the cultures of our church very interesting.
Thank you all for sharing.
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I am sorry! I saw this thread come up and didn't even look at the original date of it.
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
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Nina Murphy
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| Posted: Dec 29 2009 at 4:11pm | IP Logged
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mom2mpr wrote:
I am surprised to see this re-activated.
I did all the research and as a family we decided to stand before, because really I could let that one go, and all kneel after receiving. It made dh happy AND I will not have a priest bonking me on the head telling me I am doing it all wrong--as all the documents point to you can do either. We also sit near a few other families who also kneel and it makes us a little more comfy. And I get my time with Jesus where I need to be.
I am very interested to hear others' experiences. I find the cultures of our church very interesting.
Thank you all for sharing.
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I also did not notice the date---! I will remember to be more attentive to that from now on when checking the "active topics" of the day.
I appreciate all of the helpful answers from those who took the time to quote the documents, etc., for I truly did not know.
So very interesting to me that the Easterners stand as a sign of the Resurrection! I think we do get into emphases on different theologies? Sacrifice and Dying/Self-Oblation (This is My Body...given up for you.) vs. Easter Joy/ Resurrection and how to respond in the awesome face of those mysteries when contemplating the Real Presence of God Himself made present IN the room with us and now----WITHIN us personally in the most intimate, profound way in Communion. It's too large to even comprehend!
I had always thought that the Church's understanding/ tradition was that "every knee shall bend" at the Lord's majesty. So, it is very interesting that this practice around Communion-time is unique to Westerners in thought and tradition. But then, aren't we discussing a Latin Rite parish here---not Eastern rite?
Oh well...I don't mean to keep the thread active by asking all of these questions. They are more rhetorical, I suppose, and food for thought for my own contemplation. 
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God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met
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JodieLyn
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Just a quick note.. it is perfectly fine to "resurrect" a thread when you want to ask more questions or provide more information. This thread is a wonderful example of that. Much better in many ways than a new thread that would then likely have someone link to the old thread anyway. 
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Dec 29 2009 at 4:15pm | IP Logged
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stacykay wrote:
mom2mpr wrote:
I am surprised to see this re-activated.
I did all the research and as a family we decided to stand before, because really I could let that one go, and all kneel after receiving. It made dh happy AND I will not have a priest bonking me on the head telling me I am doing it all wrong--as all the documents point to you can do either. We also sit near a few other families who also kneel and it makes us a little more comfy. And I get my time with Jesus where I need to be.
I am very interested to hear others' experiences. I find the cultures of our church very interesting.
Thank you all for sharing.
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I am sorry! I saw this thread come up and didn't even look at the original date of it.
God Bless,
Stacy in MI |
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I didn't mean this in a "bad" way. I saw the post and thought, hey, someone else has the issue too--and then noticed it was me from awhile ago
I have really enjoyed the new discussion and learning opportunities.
Thank you all for sharing...
__________________
Anne, married to dh 16 years!, ds,(97), Little One (02), and dd (02).
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: kneeling after communion?
