Cardinal Cupich's Stance on Communion: Standing vs. Kneeling

Title: Cardinal Cupich's Stance on Communion: Standing vs. Kneeling

Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago has recently addressed the topic of how Catholics should receive Holy Communion, urging the faithful to stand rather than kneel. This guidance has sparked discussions within the Catholic community about liturgical norms, reverence, and the historical practices of receiving the Eucharist. In this blog post, we will explore Cardinal Cupich's statements, the theological and liturgical context, and the broader implications for the Church.

Cardinal Cupich's Letter

In a letter published in the archdiocesan newspaper, Cardinal Cupich emphasized that the norm established by the Holy See for the universal Church, and approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is for the faithful to receive Holy Communion standing. He explained that this practice is meant to express the unity of the congregation as they come forward together as the Body of Christ. Cardinal Cupich stated that "nothing should be done to impede any of these processions" and that "disrupting this moment only diminishes this powerful symbolic expression".

Here is the text:

‘As we pray …’

December 11, 2024

We all have benefited from the renewal of the church ushered in by the Second Vatican Council. This gathering of the world’s Catholic bishops and heads of religious orders of men took place in four sessions from 1962 to 1965.

Sixteen documents related to church renewal were eventually issued, but it is significant that the council fathers decided that their first document should take up the topic of restoring the way we worship. They took seriously the ancient maxim “lex orandi, lex credenda,” a phrase often associated with Prosper of Aquitaine, a fifth-century Christian writer. It simply means that the law of praying establishes the law of believing.

By recognizing this relationship between how we worship and what we believe, the bishops at the council made clear that the renewal of the liturgy in the life of the church is central to the mission of proclaiming the Gospel. It would be a mistake to reduce the renewal to a mere updating of our liturgy to fit the times we live in, as if it were a kind of liturgical facelift. We need the restoration of the liturgy because it gives us the capacity to proclaim Christ to the world.

Thus, for instance, the council called for the full, active and conscious participation of all the baptized in the celebration of the Eucharist to reflect our belief that in the sacred liturgy the faithful become the Body of Christ that they receive.

Our ritual for receiving of Holy Communion has special significance in this regard. It reminds us that receiving the Eucharist is not a private action but rather a communal one, as the very word “communion” implies. For that reason, the norm established by Holy See for the universal church and approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is for the faithful to process together as an expression of their coming forward as the Body of Christ and to receive Holy Communion standing.

It is important to recall that processions have been part of the liturgy from the earliest days of Christian practice. They give us a sensible experience of what it means to be a pilgrim people, helping us keep in mind that we are making our way together to the fullness of the heavenly banquet Christ has prepared for us. This is why we process into the church, process up to bring the gifts, process to receive Holy Communion and process out at the end of Mass to carry the Lord into the world.

Nothing should be done to impede any of these processions, particularly the one that takes place during the sacred Communion ritual. Disrupting this moment only diminishes this powerful symbolic expression, by which the faithful in processing together express their faith that they are called to become the very Body of Christ they receive. Certainly reverence can and should be expressed by bowing before the reception of Holy Communion, but no one should engage in a gesture that calls attention to oneself or disrupts the flow of the procession. That would be contrary to the norms and tradition of the church, which all the faithful are urged to respect and observe.

The law of praying establishes the law of believing is our tradition. When the bishops took up the task of restoring the liturgy six decades ago, they reminded us that this ancient principle enjoys a privileged place in the church’s tradition. It should continue to guide us in every age.

Historical and Liturgical Context

The practice of receiving Holy Communion has evolved over the centuries. Before the Second Vatican Council, it was customary for Catholics to receive Communion kneeling and on the tongue. This posture was seen as a sign of reverence and humility before the sacred presence of Christ in the Eucharist. However, the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council introduced changes aimed at fostering active participation and unity among the faithful.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states that the norm for receiving Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing. However, it also clarifies that communicants should not be denied Holy Communion if they choose to kneel. This balance aims to respect individual expressions of reverence while promoting a unified liturgical practice.

Theological Considerations

Cardinal Cupich's guidance is rooted in the theological principle of "lex orandi, lex credendi" (the law of praying is the law of believing). This principle emphasizes that the way we worship reflects and shapes our beliefs. By encouraging the faithful to receive Communion standing, the cardinal seeks to highlight the communal and participatory nature of the Eucharist.

In his letter, Cardinal Cupich wrote, "By recognizing this relationship between how we worship and what we believe, the bishops at the council made clear that the renewal of the liturgy in the life of the Church is central to the mission of proclaiming the Gospel". He stressed that the renewal of the liturgy is not merely an update to fit contemporary times but a restoration that enhances the Church's ability to proclaim Christ to the world.

Reactions and Implications

Cardinal Cupich's statements have elicited a range of reactions from the Catholic community. Some faithful appreciate the emphasis on unity and the communal aspect of the liturgy. Others, however, feel that kneeling is a deeply personal and traditional expression of reverence that should be preserved.

The Vatican document "Redemptionis Sacramentum," issued in 2004, addresses this matter by stating that Catholics "should receive Communion kneeling or standing" and that it is "not licit to deny Holy Communion" based on the posture chosen by the communicant. This document underscores the importance of pastoral sensitivity and catechesis in addressing different practices.

Conclusion

Cardinal Blase Cupich's recent guidance on receiving Holy Communion standing reflects a broader effort to promote unity and active participation in the liturgy. While the practice of kneeling remains a valid and respected expression of reverence, the cardinal's emphasis on standing highlights the communal dimension of the Eucharist. As the Church continues to navigate these liturgical practices, it is essential to foster understanding and respect for diverse expressions of faith and devotion.

Holy Communion is the most important event on Earth. We receive Jesus the Lord, the God of the Universe under the appearance of bread and wine, particularly a small Host. This moment should be personal, private, and public. It should be personal in that it only deals with our person. Jesus is coming to us directly.  It is private in that it deals with our interior castle and no one else's.  Lastly, it is public in that we receive Jesus as the Church, as a community of faith, and as an expression of union with that Catholic Church.  

Physical language is indeed important. Human beings evolved to rely on it to communicate alongside verbal communication. Therefore, it would be absurd to exclude body language from prayer, especially the highest form of it, the Liturgy.  However, some have weaponized kneeling before Holy Communion as a way to protest or politicize the Sacrament just like those who kneel in the NFL during the national anthem.  We cannot do this.  We cannot use the Mass or anything of the Church, including Sacramentals to "protest" or push agendas.  The act of kneeling must be genuinely directed at reverence towards the Holy Eucharist.

I have seen some people kneel before Holy Communion and then refuse to get up after the priest or deacon asks them to stand up to receive.  This display is disgusting, disobedient, self-centered, and completely irrelevant to Christ and His Church and ministers. Again, the communicant is making it about him or her, not Jesus and Communion with him.  Many times the request to receive standing is due to aging priests or deacons who simply cannot bend forward.  Doing so can cause them to lose equilibrium and fall with the ciborium and Sacred Hosts.  We cannot have this happen!  Moreover, some priests and deacons may have dexterity issues and can drop the Host.  The ciborium can also tip slightly causing an avalanche of hosts to spill onto the floor. It has happened and I have witnessed this happen! Moreover, there are times when the communicant him/herself is frail and when attempting to get up loses equilibrium leading to him or her falling or instinctually grabbing for the priest's vestments and bringing him to fall as well.  

Some on social media posted images of the frail St. Pope John Paull II receiving from Cardinal Ratzinger, however, they failed to understand that the pope had his entourage beside him ready to grab him at any slight of loss of equilibrium. Not every Catholic has this luxury!  So we have to understand where Cardinal Cupich is coming from.  Again, these warnings such as that of Traditionis Custodes are meant to quell the attempts to politicize the sacramental of kneeling for Communion from those who believe their version or nostalgia of Catholicism is the only authentic and valid expression.  The Church's hand has been forced by these people seeking to cause division.

The reality is that the reception of Jesus in the Eucharist takes place in the heart and soul. It is not dependent on physical expressions. If a Catholic feels he or she can only reverently receive Jesus by kneeling or standing and is obstinate about this, then Holy Communion becomes an idolatry of physical expression and not reception of Christ's body, blood, soul, and divinity.  It becomes about kneeling instead of receiving the Lord. We kneel because we want to respect and worship the Lord of Lords, not because we want to make a statement. 

Not everyone can kneel so we cannot shame others into thinking their inability to kneel is a lack of reverence or a disrespect to the Lord or the setting aside of Latin Rite traditions.   It is about receiving the Lord, nothing else.  

Sources:

‘As we pray …’ - Cardinal Blase J. Cupich - Chicago Catholic

: [Catholic News Agency](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261035/cardinal-cupich-asks-catholics-to-receive-holy-communion-standing-in-chicago-archdiocese)

: [National Catholic Register](https://www.ncregister.com/cna/cardinal-cupich-asks-catholics-to-receive-holy-communion-standing-in-chicago-archdiocese)

: [Complicit Clergy](https://www.complicitclergy.com/2024/12/13/cardinal-cupich-tries-to-discourage-kneeling-while-receiving-the-eucharist/)