Bishop of Austin to Pastors: Make it hard for people to kneel for Communion

Posted on 14 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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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.

 

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, What are they REALLY saying?, You must be joking! | Tagged
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Daily Rome Shot 1482 – “A…. ?… for your thoughts.”

Posted on 13 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

My view during the Pontifical Mass in St. Peter’s a while back.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance, utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

Black to move and win.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Meanwhile, the SSPX speaks up about the recent document on Marian titles.

Oh my…,

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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REPORTED: Pope Leo says any bishop who requests dispensation for TLM will have it granted

Posted on 13 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Interesting development. I hope this is true.

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About the Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series at The Catholic Thing

Posted on 13 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I read at The Catholic Thing a piece by Stephen P. White about Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series. Which it begins, as Preserved Killick would say, with Master and Commander, both not to be and to be confused with the homonymous movie with Russell Crowe which deftly pieces together scenes from later books in the series.

Note: White begins his presentation by writing about J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. The idea being that the writing draws you in and it is long enough to be profound and engrossing. Hence…

[…]

The English novelist Patrick O’Brian was no J.R.R. Tolkien. But in O’Brian’s series of historical novels – 20 in all, plus one unfinished – I have found, if not a rival to Tolkien’s beloved masterpiece, then at least a compliment. O’Brian portrays the careers of Captain Jack Aubrey of the Royal Navy and his friend Stephen Maturin, a physician, naturalist, and intelligence agent, through the Napoleonic Wars.

O’Brian invented no languages or mythologies. His novels are set amongst historical events, sometimes described with slavish accuracy. But in his characters –particularly Aubrey and Maturin – one discovers an astonishing breadth and depth of reflection on human nature.

[…]

The first novel opens with the protagonists as young men, Aubrey a newly promoted “Master and Commander,” and Maturin an impoverished, disaffected would-be revolutionary. Neither is married; both are at the beginnings of their careers (though with very different prospects before them.)

The friendship of Jack and Stephen – an unlikely pair, contrasting in physical appearance, temperament, religion (Stephen is a Catholic), and all interests save a love of music – allows for a fascinating study of human character, but perhaps more so, a study of the effects of time and fortune.  [One might be tempted to compare them to Kirk/Spock.]

As their friendship deepens, each friend has time to notice and reflect on the sort of man his friend is becoming, and to wonder at the slow but seemingly inexorable changes in themselves. Years of physical hardship, danger, love, loss, sadness, and joy work upon the men.

And the reader has twenty volumes (about 15 years in the novels’ time) to grow intimately familiar with each character and to savor every detail of the slow work of time upon the human soul.

It is ultimately this moral realism – the surety that these characters inhabit our world, fictional though they may be and as flawed and sometimes disappointing as they are – that make O’Brian’s stories so engrossing, so true.

O’Brian was not a Catholic, though he lived for many decades in the south of France. His familiarity with Catholicism, and with the Mass especially, decidedly alters his understanding of time. Consider the following passage, in which Maturin attends Mass in Boston during the war of 1812:

[…]

I cannot recommend the O’Brian books warmly enough.

BTW… the whole series is read by Simon Vance. He really hits his stride in the second book in which he has all the voices figured out. Two others tried reading as well, namely Patrick Tull and John Lee. A big “Nope!”, to both.

I looked for Vance’s version on Audible and didn’t find it. Back when, I had to check the CD discs out from the public library. More effort, but worth it if you want audio versions.  One of many examples comes to mind, namely, Vance’s reading of the chase by the Waakzaamheid, a Dutch 74, in the raging seas south of Cape Horn. Pure mesmerizing genius.

NB: But read the book first. Always. Book first, to form your own mind pictures and voices.

How important was that for us who had the privilege of reading The Lord of the Rings unsullied by the movies?  Or any other great books, from Jane Austin to Jack Reacher.

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Daily Rome Shot 1481

Posted on 12 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance, utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

White to move and mate in 4.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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Roman Rota rules against dioceses, orders publishing ‘credibly accused’ clergy lists

Posted on 12 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I don’t want to reproduce much here so, regretfully, I’ll send you over to The Pillar for more.

  • The Roman Rota, the Church’s highest ordinary court, ruled in favor of an American priest who sued his religious order over being included on a “credibly accused” list of clergy.
  • The legal basis cited is canon 220 of the Code of Canon Law, which protects the good reputation of persons against “illegitimate harm.”
  • According to the Italian daily La Repubblica, the case was heard on June 26 of this year, though the parties were unnamed.
  • The article states that various Vatican departments have for years objected to the practice of publishing “credibly accused” lists without adequate canonical or civil process, especially if deceased persons are involved.
  • Although the Rota’s decision would not automatically bind all U.S. dioceses and religious orders, it might spark similar defamation suits by priests whose names appear on such lists, thereby putting pressure on U.S. bishops and religious superiors to reconcile civil-law guidance with Roman canonical norms.
Posted in 1983 CIC can. 915 | Tagged
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Daily Rome Shot 1480

Posted on 11 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

Welcome Registrant:

lbarry

This, my friends, is what the internet is for.

YouTube thumbnailYouTube icon

This too…

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

Mate in 4. It’s black’s move.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA |
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For the Bishop of Charlotte

Posted on 11 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Just a moment of your time, Your Excellency…

75% of Charlotte Seminarians Come from Parishes with Altar Rails

This weekend the faithful of Charlotte have learned that as of the 1st Sunday of Advent November 30, 2025, Bishop Michael Martin has ordered that altar rails should no longer be used for the distribution of Holy Communion in the Diocese of Charlotte. Additionally, any parishes using kneelers (or unfixed rails) must remove them. This, we have been told, is to remain consistent with the norms established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

While just announced, the faithful are already being told that obedience requires submission. However, we have also heard (unconfirmed) that some priests may be reviewing this with canon lawyers or even requesting a clarification from Rome. We hope that more seek this route as the USCCB does not forbid the use of altar rails, but rather simply states that the norm is to receive standing, while fully permitting the faithful to kneel. It would seem to be a matter of both justice and charity for the Church to provide assistance for those who choose to kneel (accomplished by distributing at a rail).

Indeed, the cultural norm at a significant number of parishes in the diocese is for the faithful to receive kneeling and on the tongue. However, it isn’t just the number of parishes that is interesting, but rather, which parishes and what else is happening there.

This past week the USCCB celebrated its annual National Vocation Awareness Week. As stated on their website:

“National Vocations Awareness Week…is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life…”

One of the most healthy and robust areas inherited by Bishop Martin from his predecessor Bishop Peter Jugis is priestly vocations. Currently Charlotte lists 44 seminarians on their website, an impressive number for a diocese of about half a million Catholics. Additionally, the diocese has ordained 13 men to the priesthood in just the past 2 years, with another 7 11 set to be ordained in 2026.

[Update: I have been informed that 3 other seminarians are being ordained to the transitional diaconate next month and will also be ordained to the priesthood in 2026. Additionally, we have one seminarian being ordained for the FSSP next May].

But there’s something else interesting about the boom in vocations in the Charlotte diocese: 75% of those young men come from parishes where the use of altar rails or communion kneelers has been the norm. Consider that: 3 out of every 4 men in seminary in Charlotte had their vocations fostered in parishes which utilize altar rails.

To be clear, in no way should we assume that correlation is causation; obviously the discernment process and the fostering of vocations is complex: from God’s call, to the prayerful attentiveness to hear and to say yes, to the support at home from family, as well as from the parish community and the pastor.

However, it would also seem irresponsible to ignore that 75% of Charlotte’s current seminarians, and well over half of their recent classes of ordinands, come from such parishes. A recent study even suggested what many of the faithful would say is obvious: how we receive the Eucharist, and how a community supports that reception through traditional practices such as kneeling for communion, plays a sizable part in Eucharistic reverence and belief.

As we consider all of these matters we can only hope that someone will share this information with Bishop Martin.

For the links in the article, go over to the original at Liturgy Guy (linked at the top).

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, Seminarians and Seminaries | Tagged ,
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My View For Awhile: the last leg

Posted on 10 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

In Rome the sun rose at 6:52 and set at 16:56.

17:30 is the slated time for the ringing of the Ave Maria bell.

Where I am now the sun rose at 6:36. Where I will wind up Deo Volente the sun will set at 17:31.

It is the Feast of Pope St Leo the Great.

Everything seemed in slow motion at the airport today, check in, bag scanners, people. Odd.

And my flight is delayed – not departure but arrival, making the flight even longer.

We are mostly done with the boarding process and half the plane is empty. Unexpected.

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Your Sunday Sermon Notes – Dedication of the Lateran 2025

Posted on 9 November 2025 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Too many people today are without good, strong preaching, to the detriment of all.

Share the good stuff.

Was there a GOOD point made in the sermon you heard at your Mass of obligation for this Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran.

Tell about attendance especially for the Traditional Latin Mass.

Any local changes or (hopefully good) news?

A couple thoughts about the sign of the cross: HERE  A taste…

[…]

Every person has a “name day” and a “birthday.” So too a church. Our churches are dedicated or consecrated in honor of saints or mysteries of the Faith. The celebration of the dedication recalls the sanctity of the place which, as a consecrated building, has been removed from the temporal order and given entirely to God.

Church buildings should be rich in sacred symbols. This includes a sanctuary with its altar, the sacred space within the sacred space mirroring the Holy of Holies in the Temple of Jerusalem. The prayers for the solemn consecration of a church, especially in the older, traditional Roman Rite, connect the earthly church building to the heavenly Jerusalem of the life to come, described in Scriptures especially in the Book of Revelation.

There are parallels in the rites of the consecration of a church and the rites of Baptism. There are exorcisms. The is washing with water, anointing with Chrism and naming. Alphabets are given in the church as the “opening rites” are given in baptism. And so forth. More on this below.

The rite of consecration and the annual feast of its dedication reflect that the church building is a house of prayer and the place of sacrifice. It is a foreshadowing of the heavenly Jerusalem. It is the microcosm of the Church Universal, the nuptial chamber of the Spouse and the Bride, the way to Calvary and the Garden of the Tomb.

[…]

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