Kneeler the prie-dieu prayer desk. Kneelers in churches are a modern development. Kneeling was not part of the Mass in early christianity, and has been part of the Catholic Mass only since the 16th century. Kneeler A kneeler is a cushion (also called a tuffet or hassock) or a piece of furniture used for resting in a kneeling position. In many churches, pews are equipped with kneelers in front of the seating bench so members of the congregation can kneel on them instead of the floor. In a few other situations, such as confessionals and areas in front of an altar,
Louise de Prie Louise de Prie Louise de Prie de La Mothe-Houdancourt (1624–1709), was a French noble and court official. She served as royal governess to the children of king Louis XIV of France in 1661–72, and to the children of Louis, Grand Dauphin in 1682–91. Louise de Prie was born to Louis de Prie, Marquis de Toucy, and Françoise de Saint-Gelais-Lusignan, and married Marschall Philippe de La Mothe-Houdancourt, duke de Cardona, in 1650. She became the mother of Françoise Angélique (1650-1711), "Charlotte" Éléonore Madeleine (1651-1744), Duchess of Ventadour by her marriage with Louis-Charles de Lévis and governess of Louis XV and his