ASK FATHER: I’m 80 and I can’t kneel for Communion at a Traditional Mass

The other day Bp. Morlino told the priests of the Diocese of Madison that they should encourage their congregations to kneel to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.

This is a wonderful development which will make a great difference in parishes where it is applied.

Today I received from a reader…

QUAERITUR:

As a young man I knelt at the communion rail to receive Jesus on my tongue. Now being 80 with knee operations, how would I present myself for Communion at a Latin Mass, knowing that I would not be able to get back up? Thank you Father

Commonsense must be applied here.

If you cannot kneel physically, without real problems, then don’t kneel physically.  Make a reverent bow and stand.

Perhaps you might tell the Lord on your way forward, “I’d kneel if I could … my spirit is willing, but my knees are weak.” and then, if you can muster such a thing, kneel in your heart.

And do receive directly on the tongue.

At the same time, it is important to be supportive of everyone else who kneels and genuflects.  Don’t just say, “Well, I can’t!” and leave it at that.  You should say, “I can’t but I sure wish that I could!  I’m glad that you can.  Kneel a lot while you are able!”

We must bring back postures of humility in worship in order to recover humility in worship.

Finally, the way you worded this suggests to me that you might not go to the traditional for of Mass because you can’t kneel.  Don’t let difficulties with kneeling or genuflecting keep you away.   Nobody will think twice about an 80 year old standing to receive Communion.  Now, if you were 20 and clearly good shape , you might get a couple glances.