A Ban on Kneeling? Some Catholics Won't Stand for It

LA Times ^ | May 28, 2006 | David Haldane

[cyborg]

LOL!

[AnAmericanMother]

. . . the priest was transferred to be the chaplain of the only Indult Mass in our Archdiocese. . . .

. . . now that's a bishop with a sense of humor!

[Northern Yankee]

I hope someone in Rome is taking note of this strange man.

So... what's the Pope's phone number?

I had it a few days ago... ; )

[Deo volente]

Kneeling "is clearly rebellion, grave disobedience and mortal sin," Father Martin Tran, pastor at St. Mary's by the Sea, told his flock in a recent church bulletin.

Preposterous! Absurd! Ridiculous!

(And a few other choice words which would get me banned from Free Republic.)

[pravknight]

The First Council of Nicaea (AD 325)had this to say about kneeling on Sundays.

Canon 20. Forasmuch as there are certain persons who kneel on the Lord's Day and in the days of Pentecost, therefore, to the intent that all things may be uniformly observed everywhere(in every parish), it seems good to the holy Synod that prayer be made to God standing.


It's still observed in the Byzantine Church.

[pravknight]

What about the Russian tradition of prostrating during the epiclesis? I observed it at the OCA cathedral in D.C.

[x5452]

Watch that OCA, there's a lot of western stuff that ends up there...

[Deo volente]

When does Trautman turn 75????

2011. The same year that Mahony and Brown turn 75.

So, please God, we'll be blessed with a Retirement Trifecta!

[Northern Yankee]

Standing in the Byzantine church?

Am I reading that right?

I think that it's fine, but to say kneeling during the Eucharistic prayer is a mortal sin, smacks of absolute ignorance and arrogance.

I also think kneeling before the Eucharist brings about humility. IMHO....

[pravknight]

Absolutely. Kneeling on Sundays is a violation of the First Ecumenical Council's 1,600-year-old teaching.

Kneeling on Sundays is an innovation of the Counter-Reformation. Kneeling is a sign of penitence, but every Sunday is a mini-Pascha; therefore, prayer to the Lord is to be made standing.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Yep, we all mortal sinners should resigned to a life of eternal damnation and be done with it. There's no hope for all of us kneelers.

[Victoria Delsoul]

God Bless those 55, and others, who will not "stand" for their garbage.

Amen. I agree with you.

[Northern Yankee]

Yep, we all mortal sinners should resigned to a life of eternal damnation and be done with it. There's no hope for all of us kneelers.

No way ladies... I'm taking you two with me!

Hold on tight. ; )

[Victoria Delsoul]

LOL! OK, I'm ready.

[VermiciousKnid]

Everybody knows that the Pope's phone number is

Et Cum Spiri-220.

[NYer]

Kneeling on Sundays is a violation of the First Ecumenical Council's 1,600-year-old teaching.

The use of the term 'violation' is nearly tantamount to the outrageous statment by Father Martin Tran that Kneeling "is clearly rebellion, grave disobedience and mortal sin,"

Over the centuries, the practice of kneeling in reverance has been adopted by many churches. The cultural barriers that once separated all of us have fallen. There are westerners who practice their faith in eastern churches and v.v. Ultimately, the key word is "reverance", be it kneeling or standing. For any priest to mandate only one form, shows a total disregard for the heart and soul of the worshiper who chooses the other.

In fact, during the Epiclesis, the Maronite priest drops to both knees behind the altar, elevates his hands and calls down the Holy Spirit to accept our offerings. Is this not the ultimate form of reverence? The principal celebrant in the above picture is beginning to chant of the Words of Institution. Notice that the three priests assisting, are on their knees.

In the Maronite Catholic Church, both standing and kneeling are considered acceptable forms of reverance.

[NYer]

Everybody knows that the Pope's phone number is Et Cum Spiri-220.

ROFL!!! Thanks! I needed a good laugh tonight.

[BlackVeil]

Full Prostration??? Where in a Roman Catholic Church does that happen?? None that I have ever seen.

If by prostration, it is meant bowing down to the ground as the Eastern Orthodox do, then it is practiced in some Catholic churches.

I have seen sisters in religious orders do so in French churches - Carmelites ... and some other order. They are praying kneeling on the floor (with no pews) and then they bend forward and press their forehead to the ground.

They might have picked this up from spirituality exchanges with Orthodox teachers. This form of praying is quite ancient, but is now mainly associated with Muslims. However, it would have been practiced in many churches at one time.

It has the advantage, for people like me, that it brings the blood back to your head. It is a prayer gesture which seems to make one concentrate. I get quite faint and sick if I stand motionless or kneel up on my knees for any long length of time. My circulation gives up.

[marshmallow]

[Alberta's Child]

Bump!