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One may legitimately ponder the state of the hierarchy today.
Remember Bishop Garcia of Austin? Bishop Garcia, as the former bishop of Monterey, issued the letter to the Latin Mass community located at Sacred Heart Church in Hollister, CA, on 14 September (coincidently the anniversary of Summorum Pontificum going into effect) snuffing out their TLM and community. This was four days before he was installed as the new bishop of Austin, Texas.
Today I received a missive from Austin detailing more harsh news. This is a letter from the Vicar General of Austin to “Pastors”. Here’s the text. I also have an image of the letter (above), which was sent out only 55 days after the installation of Garcia in Austin.
I ask that you read it carefully.
To: Pastors
From: Very Reverend James A. Misko, VG
Cc: Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia
Subject: The use of kneelers for Holy Communion at Mass Date: November 12, 2025
Over the past few years, the practice in some parishes of placing a kneeler (prie-dieu) out for the distribution of Holy Communion has become more common. Some priests report that the reason for bringing out the kneeler is that some people who kneel for the reception of Holy Communion are finding it difficult to stand back up after receiving. If this is the case, the priest should have a pastoral conversation with the communicant to explain that they are not offending God by not kneeling and that they have the priest’s recommendation to stand to receive Our Lord with reverence and devotion.
Bishop Garcia asks that the practice of setting out a kneeler for Holy Communion be discontinued. The basis for this decision is offered here:
1. The General Instruction for the Roman Missal (GIRM) states, “The norm established for the Dioceses of the United States of America is that Holy Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling,” (GIRM 160);
2. The placing of a kneeler near the distribution of Holy Communion could confuse the faithful regarding what is the norm while sending a message that one way of receiving Holy Communion is more, or less, appropriate; and
3. Placing a kneeler near the distribution of Holy Communion could put undue pressure on the communicant to receive Communion kneeling, which may not be his/her desire.
The bishop appreciates the reverence of our parishioners for the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The faithful are also permitted to kneel to receive Holy Communion. At the same time, it is important to catechize the faithful that one can receive Holy Communion with the same reverence while standing and that there should not be an emphasis on kneeling for Holy Communion by priests, deacons, and lay liturgical leaders.
Note a couple things. This is not a decree. This is not from the bishop. The cited norm in the GIRM contains an “unless”, which effectively negates the first part.
Meanwhile:
To heck with seniors.
To heck with the sensibilities of individuals.
People are stupid and will be “confused” by a kneeler.
People mustn’t be pressured… except when WE want to pressure them.
November 11th, 2025
