What If I Can’t Kneel Easily at Communion?

Q: I believe that kneeling to receive Communion is the right way to receive. I would do it, but the communion rails are gone, and I am afraid that I wouldn’t be able to get up again without some difficulty. What can I do to reconcile my thoughts with reality? I use a cane. — Liz

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:

I’m sorry to hear that it’s not easy for you to kneel as you would like to do.

Given your circumstances, it’s better not to kneel in this case.

This isn’t a show of disrespect to the Eucharist; rather, by remaining standing, there is less chance of a disruption at Mass if you can’t get back up easily.

And you don’t want to be in that position when you have just received the Eucharist.

So, to ensure that you consume the host quickly and that the Communion line isn’t disrupted, it might be better to remain standing.

Jesus will understand. Your interior disposition, of course, can remain eminently respectful of the Eucharist.

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!