As of more recently, we have felt called to kneel for Holy Communion. This has come from almost a year of discussion concerning how people approach the Eucharist in front of the Pope. When you receive communion from the Holy Father, you are required to kneel. Well, logically, the same Jesus, the same Eucharist is present in the Churches that we attend, and Father at the Church is consecrating the same Eucharist. So why are we standing? It is the norm in the United States to stand for communion. But does that mean we show the minimum amount of respect required for receiving our Lord and Savior? Lord Jesus, help us to love you more and more!
This is a link to a website which has a formal publication from Blessed Pope John Paul II's Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Divine Sacraments to a Bishop reminding him that it is a "grave violation" to deny someone Holy Communion who wishes to receive in a kneeling posture. In addition it contains some clear catechesis for the kneeling posture. We especially like this quote, from the publication, about Pope Benedict as Cardinal Ratzinger: "In fact, as His Eminence, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has recently emphasized, the practice of kneeling for Holy Communion has in its favor a centuries-old tradition, and it is a particularly expressive sign of adoration, completely appropriate in light of the true, real and substantial presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ under the consecrated species."
Our brothers and sisters in Christ, if you truly and really believe that in Holy Communion that you are approaching to receive the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS (cf. Revelation) then how could you not kneel as you approach Him?
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