Kneeling For Communion In The Novus Ordo

[HisChildForever]

When I was in Singapore at the Cathedral there (Novus Ordo Mass), one day the priest made an announcement before Communion, telling us all that if we wanted to receive on the tongue, could we please open our mouths wide and stick our tongues out so he could actually put the host on the tongue and not make him try to squeeze it into a tiny opening. He told us it was completely up to us how we received, but that we shouldn't make it more difficult for him. He didn't mention anything about kneeling but I don't recall any problems for those who did.

 

The only other time I have heard a priest give instructions on how to receive was in a small chapel at a cemetery - where the EF was not the usual form, so just prior to Communion, the priest told us to come kneel on the steps (there was no Communion rail) and wait for him to come to us, and told us that he would speak the words Body of Christ in Latin when he got to us, but we were not to answer amen, just stick out our tongues and then after we had received, we could get up and go back to our places.

 

It is certainly easier to receive on the tongue at an EF Mass because the communion rail makes kneeling easier, and the altar boy holding the paten takes away worry about the host being dropped and  one is not expected to say amen while also opening their mouth. The NO Mass really isn't set up for receiving on the tongue easily, but whichever way a person receives, they are receiving Our Lord and so each person should be treated with respect and not made to feel bad about their choice.

 

I don't believe there was an issue with how open my mouth was. If there was he could have gently said something. I mean he just stared at me to the point where I figured screw it and held my hands out. And this was a church in a beach town, surely the priest has encountered Catholics with different reception preferences.

[CatherineM]

If I tried to kneel for communion, there would be large guys in cars with flashing lights involved, and it would probably make the 5:00 news.

[Lil Red]

I've seen several people do it at my church. They do receive from the priest, though, and not an EME. 

[ChristinaTherese]

I always kneel and receive on the tongue, whether it's from an EMHC or a priest or deacon. I've never had any problems that are memorable.

[Benedictus]

many catholics have a strong preference for the traditional latin mass, where Communion is kneeling and on the tongue, Deo gratias.

 

Unfortunately, in the Novus Ordo, the norm is standing and in the hand.

 

The current GIRM allows kneeling for communion in the Novus Ordo. But I have only ever seen one person do that in many years. I also have heard tales of people being told by priests not to do it.

I try to avoid the Novus Ordo as much as possible. But sometimes it cannot be avoided.

Obviously kneeling to receive Communion should be permissible and indeed, preferable.

 

Does anyone do this? How? Do  you just go up and kneel at the font of the line, and the priest comes up to you?

What happened to you afterward? Did the priest say anything? Did any hippies come up to you after mass and say you are trying to draw attention to yourself (since apparently they can read souls ...) and lecture you not to do it? What about the "Extraordinary Ministers", who are numerous and far from extraordinary in the majority of parishes (see Redemptionis Sacramentum)? Despite Communion on the tongue kneeling being a legitimate choice, I am fairly sure those who do it (in the 'New Mass' ) will be persecuted.

 

[I am not talking about the subjective 'I have reverence in my heart...' I am talking about objective and external only. If you need more expansion on why one may prefer Communion kneeling and on the tongue, google youtube and Bishop Schneider. ]

The parish I attend most regularly has kneelers and an altar rail. At the Novus Ordo Mass (English or Latin) most people kneel and can decide to either receive on the tongue or in the hand. A few people stand, for whatever reason, but it's not the norm there. During the EF you have to kneel and receive on the tongue, unless due to some infirmity etc.

If I attend a parish without kneelers or an altar rail then I usually bow and or make the sign of the cross before receiving. In most cases, unless the priest or EO would have difficulty, I receive on the tongue. But there are people who do kneel and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

If a stranger went up to someone and told them how to take communion, such as not to kneel or receive on the tongue, then I'd imagine it would be fair for them to be kindly put in their place :cool:

[blazeingstar]

The people who want to recieve kneeling need to sit in the front row at Mass at my church.  There is a local church run by fransciscans where their will be someone who  preferrs sitting in the back who will kneel in the Communion line.  This often causes a bit of a shuffle....I think the priests highy prefer the front seaters only.

[Desert Walker]

I would prefer to kneel and receive Jesus on my tongue, but I am too afraid of being shunned or judged either by the priest or by parishioners.

 

I don't really know if I can overcome that fear, or how.  I'd like to, but I don't want to cause any trouble.

[Credo in Deum]

I would prefer to kneel and receive Jesus on my tongue, but I am too afraid of being shunned or judged either by the priest or by parishioners.

I don't really know if I can overcome that fear, or how. I'd like to, but I don't want to cause any trouble.

Even Christ stepped on people's toes. It is unavoidable.

[BG45]

I've never seen anyone do it from an EMHC at any parish I've been to, but when people have done it with the priest, there's been no problem.  Sometimes the priest even smiles too. :)

 

(Though once in the archdiocese of Philly, I nearly got run over for bowing in line at a 30 minute long Sunday Mass.  But that was an aberration, not the norm.)

[PhuturePriest]

I've never seen anyone do it from an EMHC at any parish I've been to, but when people have done it with the priest, there's been no problem.  Sometimes the priest even smiles too. :)

 

(Though once in the archdiocese of Philly, I nearly got run over for bowing in line at a 30 minute long Sunday Mass.  But that was an aberration, not the norm.)

 

I've gotten into the practice of bowing at practically a 45 degree angle, and though I can't see from behind, I know it has to mess some people up. People always walk directly behind you in line, even when you're receiving. It's gotten to where most people just do a slight bow of the head, which is very sad.

[AccountDeleted]

For those of you that are having problems with some parishes...

 

 

 

[John Ryan]

For what it is worth, I kneel before approaching the altar, then rise and take the Eucharist. 

[Ice_nine]

I would prefer to kneel and receive Jesus on my tongue, but I am too afraid of being shunned or judged either by the priest or by parishioners.

 

I don't really know if I can overcome that fear, or how.  I'd like to, but I don't want to cause any trouble.

 

This is how I feel too. I genuflect prior to receiving as a compromise.

 

In addition to liturgical debates, I think people want communion to go as fast as possible. If showing reverence takes a little extra time well, forget that. It's sad but something I'm self-conscious about as I don't want to stand out or God-forbid take five more seconds than necessary.

[Perigrina]

I would prefer to kneel and receive Jesus on my tongue, but I am too afraid of being shunned or judged either by the priest or by parishioners.

 

I don't really know if I can overcome that fear, or how.  I'd like to, but I don't want to cause any trouble.

 

When I started kneeling to receive, I discussed it with the priest first.  Not only did we talk about if he was OK with it in general, but specifically about the mechanics of it.  When I knew the priest was in support of it, I did not mind what other people thought. 

[fides' Jack]

For a long time I didn't do it because it wasn't expressly allowed - the "norm" was to stand, and no one document said, "it's OK to kneel to receive."  Then they changed the GIRM, and it did expressly say that it's OK - which was great!  But then I was too afraid to be the center of attention, and so I didn't do it most of the time.  Now I am always holding a toddler in my arms, so I can't really do so without taking much more time and effort than would be practical.

 

I have personally witnessed people being "corrected" by the priest for this before, but not at my current parish.  I think the priests in this diocese are now well aware of what is allowed and not - we have a very good bishop.  I haven't heard of that happening here for quite some time.

 

At our old parish the priest was having one of the servers bring a kneeler to the front of the communion line for those who wished to kneel.  It lasted about 2 or 3 weeks before an (outspoken) elderly lady "accidentally" tripped over someone who was kneeling there.  It was a really sad situation, but the priest felt he couldn't bring it back.

 

I would prefer that kneeling was the norm.