Kneeling

Over the past few weeks, we have talked about standing, sitting, genuflecting, and bowing in church, especially during Mass. These are not random postures chosen by individual parishioners or even by the local parishes. The place to find direction for the various postures at Mass is the General Instruction of the Roman Missal or GIRM, which is issued for the entire Roman Catholic Church.

When it comes to kneeling, the GIRM instructs that the faithful “should kneel at the consecration unless prevented by lack of space, the number of people present, or some other good reason.”

According to this directive, the only time we would kneel at Mass is during the consecration. However, the GIRM goes on to say that the local bishops’ conferences may adapt these postures. Here in America, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops added the following directive: that the assembly should kneel not just for the consecration but for the entire Eucharistic Prayer, from after the Holy, Holy to after the Great Amen.

Some people find standing during the Eucharistic Prayer to be a prayerful posture that makes a powerful statement of faith. Others see kneeling as a sign of deep respect for the action of the prayer and the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Both postures have historical precedence, so neither posture is irreverent.

While pews and kneelers in churches are relatively new, kneeling itself is found in Scripture . In the Old Testament, King Solomon dedicated the temple he built for the Lord, "kneeling down in the presence of all the multitude of Israel, and lifting up his hands towards Heaven.” Daniel opening the windows in his upper chamber towards Jerusalem … knelt down three times a day, and adored and gave thanks before his God..." Kneeling and praying got Daniel thrown into the lions’ den, but he was saved by the Lord.

Kneeling is also found in the New Testament. At the Agony in the Garden, Luke tells us, Jesus withdrew “about a stone's throw from (the disciples) and kneeling, he prayed…” In the book of Acts, Peter kneels to pray before the lifeless body of the disciple Tabitha, and she is returned to life. And Paul, after giving a farewell speech to one of the churches in Asia, “knelt down and prayed with them all.”

Kneeling, like bowing, is associated with reverence, submission and respect, especially if one kneels before a person who is standing or sitting: the kneeling position renders a person defenseless and unable to flee. For this reason we assume this position signaling our submission to and dependence on God.