On Kneeling

Liturgy Corner for October 8, 2023


Kneeling is an incredibly powerful and significant posture for Christians. In fact, the ancient world, much like the world of today, saw kneeling as a sign of weakness or servitude that should be abandoned. Indeed, it is not found in any culture – until Christians. And for us it has become the indispensable posture of worship, a counter-cultural action that makes evident the true culture – the Christian culture.


As such, kneeling expresses submission, penance, and most importantly, humility. These are all integral parts of worship. It is for this reason that the Church mandates kneeling for the Eucharistic Prayer, and lauds it at most other times.

Sacred Scripture, too, acknowledges the power of kneeling, especially in falling down before the Lord in both Testaments, but especially in the New –- the falling down of those to be healed before Christ, the kneeling of the Early Church in the Acts of the Apostles, and most strikingly, the kneeling of Christ Himself, especially in the Garden of Gethsemane (in fact, Pope Benedict would describe St. Luke as the “theologian of kneeling prayer”).

For centuries, all able-bodied Catholics knelt for Communion (which was the main reason for the “Communion rail” still seen in old Churches). Though no longer required, in recent years there have been many that have sought to return to this practice, including at our own Parish!

For this reason, Fr. Francisco and our team have thought it appropriate to provide a help to those who wish to kneel for Communion. Beginning the weekend of October 14th and 15th, the weekend closest to the Feast of St. Luke, we will be placing kneelers in the front center aisle for Communion.

This will work as follows: 

• As Communion begins, altar servers will place two kneelers in front of the Priest and Deacon.
• Those wishing to kneel may do so on the kneeler, receive Communion, then immediately rise and continue in procession.
• Those who do not wish to kneel may simply stand at the kneeler and receive as normal. Click to view video >>
• The servers will then take away the kneelers after Communion is completed. 

It is important to note that kneeling for Communion is completely optional. Again, the kneelers will only be available in the front center aisle and only for weekend Masses (due to lack of servers during the week).

We hope that this will accommodate the piety of the faithful of our beloved Parish without obstruction. Let us continue to worship our Lord in spirit and in truth!


- Fr. Kyle