Cardinal Cupich recently published an essay condemning reception of Communion while kneeling. He stated, "no one should engage in a gesture [kneeling] that calls attention to oneself or disrupts the flow of the procession. That would be contrary to the norms and tradition of the church."
Following is a brief analysis that will show that the Cardinal's claims are theologically empty and derogatory of faithful Catholics.
Tradition for Communion while Kneeling
Kneeling for Communion has been the norm for centuries. As then-Cardinal Ratzinger wrote:
"the practice of kneeling for Holy Communion has in its favor a centuries-old tradition, and it is a particularly expressive sign of adoration, completely appropriate in light of the true, real and substantial presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ under the consecrated species." (Cardinal Ratzinger, 2002)
One needn't even be a scholar to know Communion while kneeling is a centuries-old tradition. You can just look at the pictures. Here are paintings from the 20th, 19th, and 15th centuries all depicting Communion on the tongue while kneeling.
Holy Communion by Angelo comte de Courten, d. 1925
Woman Receiving the Eucharist by Felix-Joseph Barrias, 1850
The Institution of the Eucharist by Joos van Wassenhove, ca 1475
Cupich's own home Chicago church, Holy Name Cathedral can be seen here with its altar rail for Communion while kneeling in these photos taken prior to Vatican II:
Holy Name Cathedral (home of Cardinal Cupich) seen above in
the 1903 stereogram and in 1958 with altar rails still in place.
Magisterial Support for Communion while Kneeling
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops echoes Redemptionis Sacramentum regarding Communion while kneeling:
"The norm... is that Holy Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling. ... It is not licit to deny Holy Communion to any of Christ's faithful solely on the grounds, for example, that the person wishes to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing."
Cardinal Sarah, writing in a book preface recently pointed out how antagonism for Communion while kneeling is from the devil:
And then we understand how the most insidious diabolical attack consists in trying to extinguish faith in the Eucharist, sowing errors and favoring an unsuitable way of receiving it; truly the war between Michael and his Angels on the one hand, and Lucifer on the other, continues in the hearts of the faithful: Satan's target is the Sacrifice of the Mass and the Real Presence of Jesus in the consecrated Host. .... May this book encourage those priests and faithful who, also moved by the example of Benedict XVI – who in the last years of his pontificate wanted to distribute the Eucharist on the tongue and kneeling – wish to administer or receive the Eucharist in this latter way, much more suited to the Sacrament itself. I hope there may be a rediscovery and promotion of the beauty and pastoral value of this modality. In my opinion and judgment, this is an important question on which the Church today must reflect. This is a further act of adoration and love that each of us can offer to Jesus Christ. (Cardinal Robert Sarah, preface to the book The Distribution of Communion in the Hand: a Historical, Juridical, and Pastoral Overview (2018)
Bishop Thomas Olmsted similarly referenced the devil as an opponent of kneeling before God:
According to Abba Apollo, a desert father who lived about 1,700 years ago, the devil has no knees; he cannot kneel; he cannot adore; he cannot pray; he can only look down his nose in contempt. Being unwilling to bend the knee at the name of Jesus is the essence of evil (Cf. Is 45:23, Rom 14:11). (Bishop Thomas Olmstead, "Knees to Love Christ," 2005)
The angelic battle calls to mind Scripture, where we see angels prostrating themselves before God's throne (Revelation 7:11). Such gestures of reverence can hardly be considered "calling attention to oneself," as Cupich asserted baselessly.
Around 2014, Cardinal Francis Arinze perhaps summed up the theological basis for receiving Communion kneeling in the most efficient statement: "If you believe that Christ is our God, and He is present, why don't you kneel?"
History against Eucharistic piety
Cardinal Cupich's stance on kneeling for Communion is part of a broader pattern against proper reverence for the Holy Eucharist. He has previously expressed openness to giving Communion to the divorced and remarried and those in same-sex relationships, positions that contradict longstanding Church teaching and the moral law, including that described by St. Paul (1 Cor 11:28-29) in exhorting those in sinful condition to abstain from the Eucharist. Cupich's Eucharistic procession this past June was noted for its irreverently fast pace.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it is Cardinal Cupich who stands against the Tradition of the Church. He is in contradiction with the teaching of the USCCB and Redemptionis Sacramentum and relevant parts recognized by the Apostolic See. His essay avoids confronting the theological basis for Communion while kneeling - which is a form of censorship - concealing from readers what he was opposing. Instead he attacked a strawman about self-aggrandizement and disunity. His position may ultimately work against his intent. The faithful can see what a poor theological analysis he offers compared to the theological soundness and beauty offered by those who support Communion while kneeling.
While the faithful might find the Cardinal's essay akin to a mobster's letter of intimidation, they needn't lose confidence. The theological basis for kneeling to receive Communion has a solid foundation in truth. Those who desire to receive Communion kneeling should always remember we are called to please God, not men (cf. Gal. 1:10).
A priest posting on X made a relevant observation that would both account for the theological basis for kneeling prostrate like angels before God all while maintaining unity in posture that Cupich said is important: "[W]hat if instead of coming forward individually, we line up side by side—perhaps along some sort of railing."
