Topic: Are we supposed to kneel at Mass?

Date originally posted: March 20, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: K. Martyn

Question:  The church I attend just recently stopped kneeling after the Our Father and before Communion and after Communion, the priest has us standing instead. All the other Catholic churches in the area still kneel and have quiet meditation time after communion, he does not.  He mentioned that this is the way the Pope says it should be done.  I grew up going to Catholic school and remember getting in trouble if I did not kneel during those times.  I still kneel now even though everyone else is standing.  Is it OK for me to do this and if this is the way it is supposed to be why haven't other Churches followed???

Answer:

The short answer - stand when it is the custom in that church to stand and kneel when it is the custom to kneel. Be flexible. 

The long answer -From the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:21.  "For the sake of uniformity in movement and posture, the people should follow the directions given during the celebration by the deacon, the priest, or another minister.  Unless other provision is made, at every Mass the people should stand from the beginning of the entrance song or when the priest enters until the end of the opening prayer or collect, for the singing of the Alleluia before the gospel, while the gospel is proclaimed, during the profession of faith and the general intercessions; from the prayer over the gifts to the end of the Mass, except at the places indicated later in this paragraph.  They should sit during the readings before the gospel and during the responsorial psalm, for the homily and the presentation of the gifts, and, if this seems helpful, during the period of silence after communion.  They should kneel at the consecration unless prevented by the lack of space, the number of people present, or some other good reason.

 But, it is up to the conference of bishops to adapt the actions and postures described in the Order of the Roman Mass to the customs of the people.  But the conference must make sure that such adaptations correspond to the meaning and character of each part of the celebration."