Am I supposed to bow my head like the priest right after the consecration?

[JamalChristophr]

This is probably nit picky, but I am curious if it is common custom to bow one’s head right after the consecration, like the priest does when he goes down on bended knee or maybe he almost kneels right after he elevates the host. I see some people do that at my parish. It kind of seems to me like mimicking the priest but maybe that is what we are supposed to do in this case. Maybe it doesn’t matter at all either way??

 

[Gorgias]

After saying the words of consecration, the priest celebrant actually does genuflect. (If there are other priests who are concelebrating, the rubrics call for them to bow while the priest celebrant genuflects).

There are no rubrics for the congregation at this point. However, they should all be kneeling at this point, right? So, bowing their head is acceptable, but not required.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

In churches where you can’t kneel, priests will sometimes instruct everypne to please bow when he genuflects during the Consecration.

If you’re already kneeling, you’re not required to bow, but many do it anyway, or they do something else similarly respectful. My parents would whisper “My Lord and My God” at the elevation and then Dad would bow his head. At the elevation, I usually make the sign of the cross, whisper or think " My Lord and My God" and then do a little bow.

 

[stpurl]

We were taught, over 50 years ago, to be kneeling, to watch the priest, to lift our heads when he lifts the Host, to bring our heads down into a profound head duck/bow when he lowers the Host, while silently saying, “My Lord and My God” for the consecration of the Body, and to do the same, while saying “My Jesus, Mercy” for the consecration of the Blood. Must be I’m your parents’ generation, young’un!

 

[Tis_Bearself]

That’s pretty much what my parents did and what I do because they did. I note that the bow takes place when the priest lowers the host but before he gemuflects. This puts me a bit ahead of the others who bow when he genuflects. I thought lately I was doing it wrong, as this is one of those things I was never formally taught by parents and certainly not by my Catholic school - been doing it purely out of imitating my dad who died almost 30 years back. Thanks for confirming that I’m doing it the correct old way.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Most should be kneeling during the consecration. There is nothing in the rubrics about bowing the head, but it seems appropriate. Those who are standing or sitting, should make a profound bow.

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...ing-the-eucharistic-prayer-and-our-father.cfm
"Should people stand or kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer?

This is answered in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, number 43:

In the Dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause. However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the Consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise."

 

[SMHW]

I do not want to derail this thread by going into the reasons why, but my parish stands during the Eucharistic Prayer so we (most of us) make a profound bow (for you who don’t know what that means it’s a bow from the waist) while the priest genuflects.

I am trying to envision making a profound bow while sitting. It would look more like people dropped something and were leaning over to pick it up. A head bow would “look” more humble.

For those who are kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer, I think a head nod bow is a lovely sign of devotion but certainly not required.

 

[JamalChristophr]

Thanks everyone. Of course, everyone who can kneel does so. My parish is quite fervent and devout for the most part. It’s a university ministry. Mostly, it’s the college kids that do the head bow after the consecration. A number of the college women / girls ( ; ) ) not all by any means, like to wear the mantilla, as well.

 

[phoage]

My wife and I go to a mission church. Many people there (myself included) prostrate themselves during consecration. When we are at a regular church, I bow my head during consecration. In both cases, I say “My Lord and my God” as the host is raised first.