kneeling at church QUESTION from Moe April 30, 2001 Please tell me the significance of kneeling from the consecration to the Great Amen. Why do some stand and some kneel right after Consecration when of course we all wish to kneel. I have friends who kneel until the Great Amen and I would like to know why.
Thank you for your kind answer
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, OLSM. on May 23, 2001 Dear Moe:
The significance of kneeling at the consecration is that we are doing so in recognition and respect and humilty in honor of the Lord of the Universe who is coming into the room vis-a-vis the consecrated Eucharist -- the Real Presence.
Universal law in the Latin Rite is that the faithful must kneel at the consecration itself. In the United States, however, the bishops ask persmission from Rome, and received permission, to have a stricter form. In the United States we are to be kneeling from just after the Santus (Holy, Holy, Holy) and remain kneeling until AFTER the Great Amen is finished.
I believe this practice was instituted by the American Bishops as this had been common practice in the United States and that kneeling throughout this whole period of the Eucharistic prayer sets the tone and mood of reverence, adoration, and worship (whereas the quickly kneeling during the minute or so of the actual consecration was to hurried). That is my take on it anyway.
As to why some do different things, if they are in the United States they are to kneel during the entire course from the Santus through the Great Amen. To do otherwise is illegal.
I know one parish that stands up DURING the Great Amen. This is not licit.
Why? Because the parish priest is poorly teaching his people.
Hope this helps to understand a little bit.
Bro. Ignatius
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