A Few Questions About Kneeling

[Savio]

I notice that some people kneel and pray for a few minutes before Mass. Is this a requirement? If I do, am I still supposed to take a knee in the aisle first? When I take a knee in the aisle, am I supposed to make the Sign of the Cross? Should I do this again when Mass is over?

 

[baltobetsy]

Savio, I love the way you put things. When you “take a knee” in the aisle, it’s called genuflecting. You should genuflect toward the tabernacle, which contains the Body and Blood of Jesus, every time you enter or leave the pew outside of Mass. You don’t need to do it during Mass when you go to receive Holy Communion. If your tabernacle is in another part of the church, like a side chapel, you should bow to the main altar, which represents Christ, instead of genuflecting. And if the tabernacle is in a chapel, it’s good form to go and visit Jesus briefly while you’re in church.

When you take a knee in the aisle (I just love that), you may make the sign of the cross, but it is optional. Many people choose to do this.

When you arrive in your pew, you can certainly kneel for a few minutes and pray to Jesus, Mary or your Guardian Angel to help you participate in the Mass well, and to offer your intentions (things you want to pray for). It’s also good manners to kneel in your pew for a few minutes after Mass to thank God for His goodness to you in the Mass.

Betsy

 

[Savio]

Haha, “take a knee” is one of those annoying phrases I’ve picked up in the Army. It’s used when a soldier is supposed to, well, take a knee.
arcent.army.mil/cflcc_today/2005/february/images/feb09_11/23.jpg

Anyway, thank you very much for your reply. What do you mean by chapel? I mean, I know what the word chapel means, but how do Catholics distinguish it from a sanctuary (or do they even use that term). And “visit Jesus briefly”? What does that mean? I’m new at all this.

 

[baltobetsy]

Hey, Savio, those guys in the picture are down on their left knees. When you genuflect in church, you go down on your right knee if you are able. Able, as in, not injured or something.

When I say chapel, I mean a separate room within the church. I attend Mass at a Cathedral, which has the main church (can be called the nave) and several small chapels off to the sides. Each chapel in my Cathedral is like a small church, with an altar, tabernacle, pews, etc.

Some churches have their one and only tabernacle in a small adoration chapel away from the hustle and bustle of the main church. People can go there to pray in peace and quiet. If that’s the only place where the Holy Eucharist (or Blessed Sacrament) is reserved, it’s nice to stop in for a personal moment with Jesus every time you are in your church. Just a minute to say hello, I love you, or whatever.

If your tabernacle is in the main church, you can have your personal moments with Jesus right there. Again, it’s a manners thing. When you visit someone’s house, you certainly want to see them in person and thank them for inviting you, and say hello and goodbye.

The word “sanctuary” is used for the area right around the altar, where the action of the Mass occurs. In older churches, it’s the area behind the altar rail. In newer churches, it’s often a step or three above the main floor. In protestant churches, doesn’t it mean the main church?

Betsy

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Yes sanctuary was the main church in my dutch calvinist church that I grew up in until I converted to RCC

 

[Philothea53]

So, what do you call the main part of the church where the people are? If there are also pews to the left and right of the Sanctuary, do they have names of their own?

What do you call the area ‘in back’ where the Priests put on their vestments? I notice that there are always a lot of people milling about back there before Mass - doesn’t the Priest need some quiet time as he puts on his vestments - aren’t there prayers to be said, etc.?

 

[Beachcomber]

So, what do you call the main part of the church where the people are? If there are also pews to the left and right of the Sanctuary, do they have names of their own?

What do you call the area ‘in back’ where the Priests put on their vestments? I notice that there are always a lot of people milling about back there before Mass - doesn’t the Priest need some quiet time as he puts on his vestments - aren’t there prayers to be said, etc.?

I think the main aisle of the church sanctuary is called the Nave. The ‘lobby’ area just before you go in to the church is called the Narthex, and where the priest gets ready is the Sacristy.

I’ve always thought that the area where the people were is just called the Sanctuary.

 

[baltobetsy]

So, what do you call the main part of the church where the people are? If there are also pews to the left and right of the Sanctuary, do they have names of their own?

Often the church is in the shape of a cross. The main part of the church where the people are is the nave. This is the vertical part of the cross. The areas with pews on the left and right are the transepts, and together they form the horizontal part of the cross.

What do you call the area ‘in back’ where the Priests put on their vestments? I notice that there are always a lot of people milling about back there before Mass - doesn’t the Priest need some quiet time as he puts on his vestments - aren’t there prayers to be said, etc.?

The entryway can be called the narthex or the vestibule or the gathering space. The place where the priest puts on his vestments is the sacristy. The sacristy often buzzes with activity before Mass, with servers, readers, cantors and EMHCs checking in and getting ready. It would be nice if the priest had the opportunity to recollect himself before Mass. In some parishes, everyone in the sacristy gathers for a prayer together before the Mass begins.

Betsy

 

[Philothea53]

Often the church is in the shape of a cross. The main part of the church where the people are is the nave. This is the vertical part of the cross. The areas with pews on the left and right are the transepts, and together they form the horizontal part of the cross.

The entryway can be called the narthex or the vestibule or the gathering space. The place where the priest puts on his vestments is the sacristy. The sacristy often buzzes with activity before Mass, with servers, readers, cantors and EMHCs checking in and getting ready. It would be nice if the priest had the opportunity to recollect himself before Mass. In some parishes, everyone in the sacristy gathers for a prayer together before the Mass begins.

Betsy

When you say vestibule - when I enter the church through the main doors, there is an area before more doors leading to the nave (haha now I know what to call it ) is that the vestibule?

Are the transepts defined as left/right or Mary’s side/Joseph’s side, etc?

 

[Philothea53]

Oh, yeah, one more clarification - The area surrounded by altar rail (we still have altar rails! ) that is called the sanctuary? We go past the altar rails, up steps to the altar and still within the altar rails toward the back is the cantor’s lectern and the choir chairs. Is that whole area considered sanctuary or just the area with the altar and priests/bishop’s chairs?

 

[baltobetsy]

When you say vestibule - when I enter the church through the main doors, there is an area before more doors leading to the nave (haha now I know what to call it ) is that the vestibule?

Are the transepts defined as left/right or Mary’s side/Joseph’s side, etc?

Yes, that’s the vestibule (or the narthex or the gathering space).

The transepts can have all sorts of names, depending on the parish. One church I go to has north and south transepts. Another names them by the streets that they face - the Brendan Avenue Side and the Kentucky Avenue Side. You’ll have to ask in your own parish.

And yes, that whole area is the sanctuary.

Betsy

 

[Philothea53]

Yes, that’s the vestibule (or the narthex or the gathering space).

The transepts can have all sorts of names, depending on the parish. One church I go to has north and south transepts. Another names them by the streets that they face - the Brendan Avenue Side and the Kentucky Avenue Side. You’ll have to ask in your own parish.

And yes, that whole area is the sanctuary.

Betsy

I like learning stuff.

Thank you, Betsy!