Victor R. Claveau, MJ
One of my biggest disappointments is when deacons do not kneel during the consecration. In a number of dioceses, kneeling at this time is actually forbidden by the bishops.
In 1985, the Congregation of Divine Worship published the authoritative Caeremoniale Episcoporum (Ceremonial of Bishops).1 The Ceremonial of Bishops is normative, in other words, it is considered to be the reference standard and is to be a “model for all other celebrations.”2 The Ceremonial states: “The greater part of the liturgical laws contained in the new Ceremonial have their force from the liturgical books already published. Whatever is changed in the new Ceremonial is to be carried out in the manner the Ceremonial prescribes.”3 It is clear that these directives are requirements, not options.
The Ceremonial states, “The deacons remain kneeling from the epiclesis4 to the elevation of the cup” (§155, p. 57). This refers to the first elevation of the cup.
The Ceremonial also states that when the bishop presides but does not celebrate, a kneeler is to be provided for his use during the consecration, “From the epiclesis until after the elevation of the cup, the bishop kneels facing the altar on a kneeler provided for him either in front of the chair or in some other convenient place. After the elevation, he stands once again at the chair”(Ceremonial”, §182, p. 64.).
If it is proper for a bishop to kneel during the consecration, then it is proper for all to kneel during the consecration.
1 Congregation for Divine Worship, Augustine Meyer, O.S.B., Pro-Prefect, Ceremonial of Bishops, Preface, and No. 12, trans. by the International Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL), (Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1989).
2 Ceremonial of Bishops, Preface, and No. 12, pp. 13, 20.
3 Ceremonial of Bishops, Preface, and No. 12, p. 13.
4 The epiclesis is the prayer said after the words of Institution, in which the celebrant prays that God will send down His Holy Spirit to change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of His Son.