Liturgy & Liturgical Law Forum: kneeling during Mass
kneeling during Mass QUESTION from Lynne Stiles on February 16, 2003 I know you've addressed this topic a number of times regarding the specifics of when to kneel. But I recently attended Mass at a local parish where they didn't kneel at all. Some people returned from the Communion line and kneeled briefly others did not. But at no time during the during the Conseration did anyone move to kneel; except for those of us from other parishes. When I questioned my friend with whom I attended the Mass, she responded that a few years back they were told they didn't have to kneel. I read the GRIM and it seemed to me kneeling isn't optional. I will be glad to return to my home parish where we all still kneel and genuflect and show great reverence, but how do I prove to my friend that this practice isn't correct? Or am I wrong? She suggested I speak to her priest, what do you suggest? P>S. They also leave out the Profession of Faith if the Mass is running too long? AND the tabernacle is no where near the alter. Obviously this all disturbs me! Help! Respectfully< Lynne
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob Slavek on February 23, 2003 Dear Mrs. Stiles,
The best to show her is from the documents of Vatican II... from Sacrosanctum Concilium.
Therefore no other person whatsoever, not even a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on their own authority. (n.22)
This includes the General Instruction, and so the instructions to kneel.
Mr. Slavek
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