kneelers in church
I have a fellow co-worker who is Catholic. When talking about church, she said that her Catholic Church is void of kneelers. This struck me as very odd. She didn't think anything of it-- in fact she said many new Catholic churches being constructed today do not have kneelers. She said she knows of many Catholic Churches in this area that doesn't have kneelers.
I asked her what happened during the parts of the mass when you are required to kneel, and she said that everyone stands.
This concerns me a little because if certain churches begin holding mass with different practices, wouldn't there be discrepancies between parishes? Is there any rule against churches not possessing kneelers?
Also, she said that the practice of genuflecting when entering the pew is becoming less practiced in her church also. Is genuflecting a requirement when entering the pew?
Thank you very much for all of the helpful info. Your work is truly blessed.
QUESTION from Brad on June 15, 2004
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob L. Slavek on June 22, 2004
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Dear Brad, I am not aware of any universal requirement that churches have kneelers, but I suppose that individual bishops could require them in their own diocese. Of course kneeling itself is required normally everywhere, regardless if there are kneelers or not. (Latin Rite) The GIRM states that "No one who enters a church should fail to adore the Blessed Sacrament, either by visiting the Blessed Sacrament chapel or at least by genuflecting. Similarly those who pass before the Blessed Sacrament genuflect" For many people in the church this would be at the moment when they enter or leave a pew since that is when they pass before the Blessed Sacrament or when there is enough space to genuflect. Mr. Slavek |