Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 3:35 AM By Juergensen
Faithful Catholics everywhere know that kneeling for Holy Communion is proper and indeed required when receiving from Pope Benedict XVI. So how did the good bishop end up initially writing that kneeling “is not proper according to the liturgical norms”? Is this a case of a spirit-of-Vatican-II-receives-in-the-hands-only-Kmiec-admiring-Obama-voting diocesan bureaucrat writing for the bishop? Like Pope Benedict said, we need a smaller Church of faithful Catholics. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 5:31 AM By Phil
Why don’t these modernism people in the Church just quit !! Kneeling before the body of Christ is the highest form of respect the children of Christ can bestow. All these people have been trying to do is make being a Catholic ” easy “. There is nothing easy about obeying our Holy Father. Continue to do as you all are doing while you walk this earth, but remember your day will come when you must stand before our GOD and answer for what we have or have not done. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:19 AM By 4unborn
Bishop Cordileone says, “standing up shows respect to someone of importance who enters the room.” If Jesus were to enter the room, I am going to show reverence by kneeling down. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:22 AM By Gabriel Espinosa
I don’t require the permission of any Bishop to kneel before my Lord. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:24 AM By Ed
The bishops should also give instructions on how to eucharistic ministers are to handle sacred vessels after Holy Communion. I thought all sacred vessels should be purified at the altar and then returned to the sacristy. In our parish the sacred vessels are taken from the communion area to the sacristy where they are not seen until the next Mass. Somehow it doesn’t seem proper to take the chalice with the Blood of Christ and hide it in a back room. I have also seen people and altar servers wipe their mouth with their sleeve after receiving the Blood of Christ. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:34 AM By AA
It is true of course, what Bp Vasa sites about the Eastern posture for receiving Holy Communion. However, Latin Catholics are not Eastern. In Our Tradition, kneeling is the great sign of respect and devotion. So shall we all be Eastern then? Secondly, this nonsense about “norms”. It is normative because it has become the regular to stand. However standing is an indult- a special concession- for the American Church. It is not the Norm for the Latin Church it is not the Norm in that is it is the normal practice. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:35 AM By Robert Lockwood
I have to laugh and then cry at the attempt to justify standing to receive Holy Communion as an equally or more reverent posture than kneeling. Since the modernists saw to it that the altar rail was quickly removed, without ANY instructions to do so, we now line up like we are at the check out stand at the grocery store. Belief in the real presence appears to be very low and and the most reverent posture of kneeling to receive the Holy Eucharist is a helpful reminder of the miracle that has just taken place before us. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:49 AM By MacDonald
I’m glad good Bishop Cordileone revised his statement on kneeling. It not only reflects more accurately the Church’s teaching (G.I.R.M. #160), but it also makes room for those who wish to kneel to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. In our parish, some people kneel down to receive not only the Host, but also the Precious Blood, and other folks have learned now to avoid tripping over them. With proper catechesis, and time, we can make room for the piety of all who come to Mass: for example, to receive the Host on the hand or tongue; to go to confession face to face or behind the screen; to receive Communion under both forms or one; etc. God bless the bishop for being sensible and humble enough to revise his local directives. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 7:19 AM By Chris Mattson
We were fortunate to have Bishop Cordileone in our diocese (San Diego) when he was made auxilliary bishop. We miss him here. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 7:23 AM By Rose
There’s also a way to show deep respect for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in our bodily posture, a way that seems to have been lost in recent decades: how about bending down on your knee and bowing when you enter the sanctuary, or in the aisle before you enter your pew? |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 7:30 AM By MAC
Most Bishops will correct things when provided with official documentation. Thank you to whomever contacted the Bishop. – contacting is the responsibility of the Laity. Thank you to CCD for publishing the original and this article. Now if we can get rid of holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer, raising hands in the air mimicing the Priest, and giving the sign of Peace to those who are not nearest, we will be in great shape. Mass will be Holy and Respectful as required. If Laity continue to do things not in GIRM, the next thing you know they will be rubbing their tummies and patting their heads. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 7:35 AM By vguerra
I am glad that there is an option. Yet, in some churches, some parishoners, especially young and able bodied, criticize the practice of not kneeling. they need to remember that some of us are elderly, have had knee surgery and hence cannot kneel when we receive communion. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 7:41 AM By Ken Parker
Standing is a sign of “respect” in the presence of someone else. Kneeling or genuflecting before receiving Holy Communion is not only a sign of “respect” for God but of “adoration” before receiving God in Holy Communion. We do not “adore” other human beings, but “respect” them. So kneeling or genuflecting before receiving Holy Communion expresses our “adoration” of God, not only our “respect” of God as we “respect” other human beings but do not adore them. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 7:47 AM By Tru
Thanks for this article. Two points will make a difference in my spiritual life: only necessary medicines (no vitamins) one hour before receiving communion, and not only is my heart a throne room, but my hands become a throne for Jesus as taught by St. Cyril. That’s info I will pass on. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 7:49 AM By David
This article is 100% accurate. Thanks to all. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 7:56 AM By Singing Mum
Now this statement sounds more like Bishop Cordileone. Acknowledging the option for kneeling is only proper, as it is retained as such in the curren US version of the GIRM. He corrects the former statement, and then instructs as to why and how to recieve Communion. His emphasis is on worthiness, not on posture. While I personally do prefer to receive our Lord kneeling, I cannot complain about this statement. I’m relieved to see he issued this stement, even while I pray that American Catholics return to the broader culture of the Church and regain the practice of recievng Jesus kneeling and on the tongue. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 8:02 AM By MD
I’m glad Bishop Cordileone issued this statement. Some people like to kneel and to be honest, I would personally prefer that all people receive on the tongue as a sign of reverence. Sometimes it seems as though receiving communion is merely a symbolic gesture and I know for myself that I continually remind myself that I am receiving the flesh of my Lord and Savior who died for my sins; for all of us. I am so unworthy of receiving Him, even after confession, yet He gives Himself as the Eternal Food that nourishes my soul and allows me to be a tabernacle carrying His precious Body and Blood. It is so beautiful and to me something not to take lightly at all. God Love You. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 8:29 AM By grampsc
When in Rome etc., when in Oakland etc., why oh why do we have to go out of the way to be so different from the great body of the church, so much so that a Bishop has to issue instructions about kneeling; if you wish; does the Bishop not kneel in front of the Holy Father when the Bishop visit Rome, isn’t that the greater sign of respect?. Should the Bishop advise the flock, when standing for communion, stand straight, no slouching, hands waist high, or better yet chest high, this is getting rather absurd, the due reverence is what is required and time for the US diocese to start once again reflecting the solemnity of Holy Communion. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 8:30 AM By OneoftheSheep
How many hands have I licked due to the inability of the Eucharistic Minister to administer the Sacred Host properly on my tongue! I am old enough to remember kneeling at the Communion rail while the priest and the altar boy traveled to me. It gave me proper time for reflection and I can’t recall a single time when the priest’s fingers touched my tongue. I long for those days. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 9:37 AM By mrpkguy
Did that ever strike home, Robert Lockwood’s comment above, when he says that “we now line up like we are at the check out stand at the grocery store” – right on! ……..and everyone gets to partake worthily or not. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 9:43 AM By Elizabeth
OneoftheSheep, I pray everyday to the Holy Spirit that the communion rails will come back and that everyone will receive our Lord by mouth! It is SO reverent and we must get back to it!!! |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 9:48 AM By Paul
I highly respect this Bishop, he too loves the Latin Mass and has said it many times. I only rec on my tongue, but that it the beauty of the church. We both have the N.O. mass and Latin Mass, I attend only the Latin Mass and love it dearly. I like kneeling for Holy Communion for the respect I know is coming to me, Our Lord. I only wish they would get rid of girl servers, they can not become priests, only the boy’s. I hope that this rule will change, the church got pretty sloppy in the last 40 years, and I hope that with this good Bishop and others that the 60’s crowd is dying off soon. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 9:51 AM By jp
Won’t this instruction encourage some of the nouveau Catholics to stand instead of kneel? I am thinking specifically about what these people would do if they were to encounter Adoration and Benediction…will they not be inclined to “stand to show respect”? Or are we throwing Benediction out with the bathwater? |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 10:40 AM By Beej
You are standing in front of God Almighty, body, blood, soul and divinity and you are going to stand in front of Him like you would do with every John Doe you encounter??? Lord have mercy! |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 10:55 AM By Rama Evart
I do miss the altar rail, so beautiful and respectful.. what about the possibility of two kneelers in front of the altar? God bless, dear Bishop Cordileone. We pray for you, and your intentions daily. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 11:04 AM By Oskar
Kneeling is not a sign of “respect” in the West. It is a sign of supplication. Standing is a sign of “respect.” Most don’t dig deep enough to realize that The historical practice has been to kneel and their interest ends there. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 12:54 PM By Jack of Cassis
If her Majesty the Queen would enter a public room unexpected, a part of the people would fllee by shame of feeling not being dressed properly enough. The remaining people would bow low to show her their utmost respect. How many catholics are respecting less Jesus than the Queen! |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 2:23 PM By mark stark
Our Beloved Pope gives us great example of how to conform to the teachings of our Catholic Church by His example. I see that all who recieve our Lord from Him kneel. We are recieving the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords all of heaven in prostrate before His Majesty, how else to recieve so great a gift but by kneeling for those who are able. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 2:28 PM By JMJ
If standing is such a sign of respect, pray tell, why are we kneeling at the Consecration? G.I.R.M. is not one of the Church teachings and is something that we can do without. +JMJ+ |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 5:18 PM By Sharon Shinall
I myself find it more reverent to kneel before my Lord, while recieving Him. I am the only one in my Church that does so. I was once told by someone that it takes courage to kneel, while recieving our Lord, and I told them that it doesn’t take courage, but that it takes LOVE, RESPECT, and REVERENCE, that He so rightly deserves. Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, is trying to set an example for our Bishops, and our Priests to follow. I choose to follow the Leader of our Church, because he is being lead by the Holy Spirit.. Thank You Holy Father for the respect, and the reverence that you show to our Lord, while distributing Communion, and for the example that you are setting for us all to follow..God Bless You.. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:03 PM By MacDonald
The GIRM (“General Instruction of the Roman Missal”) is the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church regarding Holy Mass. That’s why Holy Mother Church calls it the “Instruction” rather than a “suggestion.” In the GIRM we find many powerful guidelines that, if carefully followed, would help us avoid the mess we sometimes encounter at Mass. The problem is not with the GIRM, but with people who are ignorant of what it says — especially priests who have not studied it since seminary. And of course also lay people who have not read it ever and are missing out on some terrific Church teaching about the Holy Mass. [Find it on the WWW and read it — it’s excellent, and inspiring.] |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:09 PM By Nani
When Receiving Communion from the Chalice: Approach the minister of Communion, bow, and then say “Amen” after the minister says, “The Blood of Christ.” ‘Take the cup with your hands and reverently place it to your lips to take a sip of the Blood of Christ. Carefully hand the cup back to the minister, and return to your place in the pew.” Is not the “Blood of Christ” the true presence of Christ? If it is, why aren’t we instructed to bow there, as well? (I do because I believe that It is, just a different form than the Host.) ‘ ‘ |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:18 PM By Roy Banes
To kneel before God is the only proper way to recive His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. I wish we could all receive His Majesty, Our God, Lord and Saviour in the most respectful manner, which is the only proper way to receive Him. I do not kneel when I receive Him on my tounge, because it would take assistance for me to get back up, but I do genulect whie I can still use the pew railin, or arm rest to help me back up. With a communion Communion rail you can use ti for leverage when rising ugain to return to the pew. I also detest receing Holy Communion from a woman. What has happened to our beautiful Roman Catholic religion and tradition. I guess you could say it was Vatican II. It was so badly taken out context that the progresives ran with the ball as fast as they could to dumb down the Catholic faith. God forgive them and all of us for the sacrlliges we have commited by letting it stand as irreverent as they could get away with. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:30 PM By Tracy
AA, I have been to one Eastern Rite Liturgy and yes we did stand for Holy Communion, however, the priest dropped the Holy Eucharist, which was shaped like a sugar cube, into our mouths with a special spoon. It is my understanding that all communion in the Eastern Rite is on the tongue only. The Bishop does not mention this as normative in the Eastern Rite churches. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:34 PM By Anita
Too many people are picking this article apart and criticizing the Bishop. Either position, kneeling for those who want to and standing for others is correct. More than either is the disposition of heart when receiving is the most important issue. Also, respecting our Magesterium of the Catholic church is imperative. They are apostles appointed by Jesus as extensions of the 12 Apostles. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 6:40 PM By Church Lady
Just last night at our Catholicism Course (DVD program) – this very topic came up – and documentation showing that it is the Holy Father’s intention that we kneel and receive on the tongue was given. (The question was asked – why aren’t we taught about this being the Holy Fathers Intention for the Church from the pulpit – or better still, why wasn’t it taught in this course we are gathered to watch? – The answer from the priest and the deacon there was that ‘we are under obedience to the bishop’ – not sure what that means.) Someone used the word piety – above – and that is the thing that is lacking today in many parishes. I have likened what is slowly happening to the Catholic Churches around the US (at least) to the frog in the pan of water – unaware that the flame is continually being increased under the pan – and soon, the water will be boiling and there will be no where left to go as the fires will be lapping at all sides. We too have been told that it is part of the ‘GIRM’ or norms on how to receive – but rest assured – Pope Benedict XVI is working towards undoing what has been done via Vatican 2. (Even though it wasn’t really allowed after Vatican 2, as a rule, rather it was given as a case by case basis that required Papal permission to allow Communion in the hand.) Let us keep Pope Benedict XVI in our prayers that his reformation of this travesty against the teachings of the Catholic Church will be swift and adhered to willingly by the faithful. Catholicism is under fierce attack and we (Christians) are the only ones people can ‘make fun of’ and not get chastised for it in our world today. Stand firm in the teachings of the Catholic Faith – and know that you kneeling, brings you closer to Jesus, and shows him your love for him. |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 7:07 PM By Joseph
All I can ask or say is this, if Jesus were to walk up to anyone of us in his radiant venerable human body today, who of us would remain standing? Who would remain standing before the Son of God? I for one would drop to my knees in complete humility, in sorrow for offending Him and fear for spending eternity without Him beg for His forgiveness for all of my mortal and venial sins, and then tell Him how much I love and need him daily, even though He would know this is in my heart the whole while without me having to say a single word. It is this humility that Roman Catholics who were physically able to kneel had shared across the world for centuries before receiving Him in Holy Communion, and fasted for hours beforehand until the practice was stopped nearly 40 years ago. What happened? Why is this so? |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 7:56 PM By Singing Mum
PLEASE PAUSE before complaining against a man who is defending the Church every day on several key fronts. Did you read the part of the statement that says, (The idea of kneeling to receive Communion goes beyond the ordinary respect we would show to another human being, expressing both reverence and humility toward the Blessed Sacrament.) C’mon, people! A statement was issued that left out key information. So the good bishop tries to correct, clarify and undo the damage, and people STILL complain. I understand the preference of kneeling- it is mine, too. But READ the statement. Then consider who is issuing it. If Bishop Cordileone isn’t good enough for you, who is? Restrain your complaints- fast and pray MORE! |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 8:37 PM By Rita Biesemans
AMEN comes from the verb la’amin in Hebrew (I speak, read, write Hebrew in my daily life) which means : to BELIEVE. FOR HIM EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW OF WHAT’S ON THE EARTH, BENEATH AND ABOVE THE EARTH. Think of Moses how he approached God. Indeed Jesus is respected less than any earthling in power. I kneel and I bow before my God and I’m dressed properly when receiving Him on the tongue and please let there be quiet, NO MUSIC so we can concentrate on the One we received. He is the KING of KINGS without Him we wouldn’t even exist and look how we treat Him. But the day will come that He will say : ENOUGH. Rita |
Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2012 10:16 PM By Louise
There is no other best sign of respect for The Holy Eucharist than KNEELING. Let us not play games with the thought that standing is the height of honor and reverence in these United States of America as a Catholic-who is before Our Lord in The Real Presence!!!!! It’s all about kneeling, so where are the altar rails? |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 3:01 AM By Angelo AVP
Two points, The Holy Father as Cardinal Ratzinger said, “What was said at the Council and what was done after the Council are 2 totally different things.” Asked to elaborate he said, “Take the Communion rail, at the Council it was never as much as mentioned, I was present at all the sessions, yet in the name of the Council priests all over the world began to remove them.”. Another point, Sr. Lucia Dos Santos of Fatima wrote that when our Lady was about to appear to them, they the children had a sudden impulse to kneel. If God commanded them to kneel before His Mother? How much more should we not kneel before God himself. My obedience is to God and his Vicar in Rome, first and always! |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 3:54 AM By Ml.Sheeham
Kneeling to receive Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist is the greatest sign of respect for The King of Kings. mikeandannesheehan@hotmail.com. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 5:04 AM By Pete
As I said before, I stand when my favorite football team makes a touchdown. I kneel before my God. Please bring back the altar rails – the US Bishops never got permission to remove them in the first place. (More of the Bernardin progressivism.) |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 5:07 AM By Joe
Receiving the Concercrated Host on the tounge was started because of the fear of spreading germs. Why not the same fear when sharing the Concecrated Blood. As for hundreds of years, receive on the tounge while kneeling and from either a Priest or Deacon period. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 6:54 AM By Church Lady
For some reason – many of the important parts of comment I made were removed – perhaps it was because I used the wrong sort of quotes – nothing I said was libelous or offensive – as I see it above in other statements. I hope what I said is still understandable. I talked about praying for the Holy Father and that his works will be swift to undo the liberties taken by people since Vatican II – not that Vatican II allowed those injustices or liberties by permitting them, rather that Vatican II was the vehicle those people taking the liberties with our Faith used to disguise their own actions that were and still are contrary to the true teachings of the Catholic faith. One person was right above (at least one that I saw said this) that we don’t need the GIRM really – we need to get back to the true teachings – not the ‘GIRM’ that ‘waters down our faith’ for the whole of society so that more will come to Church if the rules are less strict. We need a smaller Church of MORE faithful – if that is how it all washes out in the end. I suspect that if more people were TRULY aware of the REAL intentions of the Holy Father and the TRUE teachings of the Catholic Church as they still are in effect today – they would gladly hold to those teachings – it is only because of the GIRM and the mixed signals that people are falling away – because there is not a strong consistency from Catholic Church to Catholic Church in our nation – and that is seen as a sign of weakness. Lets ask the Holy Father to send down firm and clear instruction to our USCCB to have them be the men of God they are called to be and direct the people of the US to adhere to the Vatican and the teachings of the Church – so we can truly be one Universal Church for all Catholics to depend on no matter where they are. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 8:23 AM By Myron
As a Byzantine Rite Catholic I can inform you that we always knelt for communion, until the new parish priest told us his back was bad and we should all stand (early ’90’s). It is true there are no pews in european eastern rite churches – but kneeling on the floor at the consecration and during communion is the historical norm. Of course that is outmoded since the new church is aimed at pleasing modern man. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 9:15 AM By irishsmile
Bishop Cordileone is one of the most orthodox bishops that I’ve observed. He has had, in my view, a real battle with difficult, liberal clergy within this diocese. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 10:39 AM By PapaMattK
Your Excellency Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, we soon will have an opening here in Orange County, CA. We would love to have you here! God Bless |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 12:44 PM By Sandra
All knees will bend before the Lord. Amen. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 3:03 PM By MarkF
Kneeling or standing is a small issue for sure. But like all of the small issues that the radicals have pushed – taking off the veil, changing the language of the Mass, new bland music that worships us more than God, calling the priest the presider, removing the tabernacle, wreckavating the altar, and so on – it adds up to the creation of a new faith. And this new faith does not seem to have the power to inspire many people. This is why Protestant groups are filled with people who were raised Catholic. So are all of these things small issues? It seems to me that the people who scream the loudest that these are unimportant issues are the very same people who are pushing them so hard on us. I say that if these are small issues, as I believe they are compared to the central issue of the state of your soul, then let us have our traditional Catholic forms of worship. In other words, when these radicals push their “small changes” and when they say that their changes don’t really matter much, I say to call their bluff. If these changes don’t matter much, then why did they push for them so hard? The truth is that these radicals know that these small changes are their attempts at creating a new faith. Call their bluff. If the changes that they demand really are of little importance, then lets not do them. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 4:19 PM By Mark from PA
Mark, I think those changes are minor compared to the miracle of Christ present to us in the Eucharist. Do these Protestant groups filled with people who are raised Catholic have the Eucharist? We have had changes in the Mass recently but this does not mean we are creating a new faith. Some words have changed but not the importance and meaning of our Mass and celebration of the Eucharist. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 4:42 PM By Dana
Remember when the occupant of the White House bowed low before a Sheik and everyone was so appalled? Many of us remember Nancy Reagan’s incredible faux pas when she curtsied to Queen Elizabeth. No American citizen was ever to kneel or bow to a king because he was a free man. Choosing to kneel, bow and show obeisance is no small thing. I am physically unable to kneel before the sacrament but I kneel in my mind. For before God, we are not free men for all that we have or are is only from the Grace of God and it seems meet & just to show reverence, fear and awe. (which makes us completely free, but you all know that I think these instructions are excellent and fair, and allow enough latitude without bringing in all the excesses and even heretical observances of the past forty years or so. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 4:57 PM By Larry
“This is why Protestant groups are filled with people who were raised Catholic.” I’m confused on one thing, MarkF. Do these “Protestant groups” have mass in Latin? Do they have mass in any language? Do they have the Holy Eucharist and the Sacraments? Do they have any “traditional Catholic forms of worship?” I’m not getting why people would transfer to Protestant Churches in search of “traditional Catholic forms of worship.” |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 7:34 PM By Angelo AVP
I went to videos on you tube. According to CARDINAL ARINZE, kneeling IS THE NORM. Bishops must ask for permission to allow communion standing. When given it is only with the agreement that those who wish to receive kneeling are not to be denied, nor persecuted. Cardinal Arinze made it clear that standing for communion is only a permission granted by Rome, kneeling IS THE NORM. The Cardinal spoke of the “Reform of the Reform” That is to fix all that went wrong! |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 8:32 PM By Greg
I say bring back the altar railings. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 9:27 PM By Linda
I am very glad he revised his statement-and I so miss the altarrails, even though I was only twelve when they were taken. |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 11:25 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
By4unborn, 6:19 AM If Our Lord or His Mother entered the room, and I knew it was really them, I would not kneel, I would PROSTRATE myself before them. Of course, She would ask me not to do so, and I would obey Her, but She would tell me to at least kneel. Jourgensen, 3:35 AM, you wrote what I strongly suspected! God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher |
Posted Thursday, March 08, 2012 11:45 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
It is “FOR HIM EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW OF WHAT’S ON THE EARTH, BENEATH AND ABOVE THE EARTH.”, not “FOR HIM EVERY ONE SHALL STAND………”! God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher |
Posted Friday, March 09, 2012 5:01 AM By BeadsOfPeace
Even a kneeler would be nice. People could use it if they so desire instead of extending their hand and saying “Gimme God” |
Posted Friday, March 09, 2012 9:29 AM By roberta
I agree with most of the comments but one huge issue has not been mentioned!! The attitude and dress when “lined up” to receive. I am horrified at the lack of modesty many women and teen daughters approach the reception of HOLY COMMUNION. Blouses and dresses cut so low it’s embarrassing. skin tight jeans and pants that show every wrinkle in the skin. Skirts so short, or the wearing of shorts .Beach and camping attire does not show the respect our blessed Lord deserves. Oh Yes, I’ve heard the excuse, “At least they are in church”, but I wonder what they would wear if invited to the White House for a dinner. They would be so concerned about respectful dress. What about the Banquet of our Lord! What has happened to our pastors that they never even mention this serious lack of respect!!!!! |
(Editor’s Note: On Jan. 31, California Catholic Daily published instructions for receiving Holy Communion that had been posted on the Oakland diocesan website. The instructions, written by Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, said in part, “Receiving Communion kneeling, or genuflecting before receiving, while often motivated by the praiseworthy desire to show greater respect to the Most Blessed Sacrament, is not proper according to the liturgical norms.” Bishop Cordileone has since revised his instructions, and posted new instructions on the website of the Office of Diocesan Worship, which we republish below.)
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