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Views from the Choir Loft

Vatican Breaks Its Silence On Kneeling For Communion In The USA

Jeff Ostrowski · September 10, 2014

878 Kneeling for Communion VER since I confirmed that our Mass texts are copyrighted and sold by various entities (even non-Catholic ones) we’ve been receiving tons of mail. Outraged Catholics are wondering how a practice so wrong continues.

A similar case can be seen in kneeling for Communion in the USA. Here’s what the Vatican said in 2003:

“…while this Congregation gave the recognitio to the norm desired by the Bishops’ Conference of your country that people stand for Holy Communion, this was done on the condition that communicants who choose to kneel are not to be denied Holy Communion on these grounds. Indeed, the faithful should not be imposed upon nor accused of disobedience and of acting illicitly when they kneel to receive Holy Communion.”   (source)

Still, some priests continue to abuse those who kneel for Holy Communion.

Here in Texas, I’ve witnessed such abuse several times. I clearly remember an incident two years ago, when a young child knelt down to receive Communion. The priest yelled, “Get up! Don’t kneel. We’re on a journey! We’re on a journey!” I was horrified, and this incident left a weird feeling in the back of my throat.

AS WE’VE MENTIONED, the Church in the United States has recently clarified its position—pardon the pun!—on kneeling for Communion (SEE BELOW), but I have doubts whether this will end the persecutions. Years ago, my friend wrote to Rome about the illicit sale of indulgenced texts. The Vatican responded that his concerns were totally correct, but we must be patient. As Aurelio Porfiri noted, Rome usually moves at a very slow pace.

For the record, here’s what the USCCB said in 2012:

No. 160 of the GIRM states clearly there that the “norm” established for the United States for reception of Holy Communion is standing. In the 2003 GIRM, it stated that no one should be refused Communion if they kneel, but that afterward they should be properly catechized. In the current edition, the exhortation to catechesis is removed and the exception to the norm of standing is left to the discretion of the faithful: “unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling.” The Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, no. 91, is then cited.
Source:   BCDW Newsletter, January 2012


I’ve been told that, as a Cardinal, Pope Francis served on the Congregation for Divine Worship, but nobody has been able to confirm which years he served. It would be interesting to know whether he was there for the 2002-2003 rulings on kneeling for Communion. I don’t expect media folks will care too much about the facts, because they seem too busy fabricating misinformed nonsense about Pope Francis.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: United States Catholics Can Kneel For Communion Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
PDF Download • Trinity Sunday (22 pages)

Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

It is unworthy that the stone holds Him, Who encloses everything in His hand, Locked in by the forbidding rock. (“Indígnum est cujus claudúntur cuncta pugíllo | Ut tegat inclúsum rupe vetánte lapis.”)

— SALVE FESTA DIES (Eastertide)

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