Appropriate gestures for entrance and exit procession at Mass

[Tis_Bearself]

I need some help with appropriate gestures for when the entrance and exit procession pass by at Mass.

Typically at the OF Mass, most people don’t do anything when the procession passes by them. Somehow I got in the habit of bowing my head slightly when the cross passed. I thought I read someplace that one was supposed to do that.

I go to TLM every few months and it seems like most people at those Masses don’t do anything when the procession passes by them. However, at the last one I attended, I saw two people respond by crossing themselves when the cross passed them and then bowing when the priest passed them. Now there is someone on here in another thread discussing whether to genuflect or bow when the priest passes. I don’t remember my parents doing anything during the processions ever, so I didn’t learn anything from them on this.

Can someone please enlighten me on the correct gestures in this situation? Thank you.

 

[Vico]

I need some help with appropriate gestures for when the entrance and exit procession pass by at Mass.

Typically at the OF Mass, most people don’t do anything when the procession passes by them. Somehow I got in the habit of bowing my head slightly when the cross passed. I thought I read someplace that one was supposed to do that.

I go to TLM every few months and it seems like most people at those Masses don’t do anything when the procession passes by them. However, at the last one I attended, I saw two people respond by crossing themselves when the cross passed them and then bowing when the priest passed them. Now there is someone on here in another thread discussing whether to genuflect or bow when the priest passes. I don’t remember my parents doing anything during the processions ever, so I didn’t learn anything from them on this.

Can someone please enlighten me on the correct gestures in this situation? Thank you.

From the GIRM (USA):

One genuflects to the tabernacle (with the Eucharist in it) or else one bows to the altar. (GIRM 274)

275. A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to the persons themselves or to the signs that represent them. There are two kinds of bow: a bow of the head and a bow of the body.

a) A bow of the head is made when

• the three Divine Persons are named together and
• at the names of Jesus, of
• the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of
• the Saint in whose honor Mass is being celebrated.

b) A bow of the body, that is to say, a profound bow, is made to the altar;
C = Celebrant, D = Deacon

• C/D: during the prayers Munda cor meum (Cleanse my heart) and
• C: In spiritu humilitatis (With humble spirit);
• All: in the Creed at the words et incarnatus est (and by the Holy Spirit . . . and became man);
• C: in the Roman Canon at the Supplices te rogamus (In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God).

 

[redal]

Mass.

Be more concerned with the disposition of your heart, which seems to be positive, given your concern.

God knows whether our gestures are heartfelt, necessary, or for show.

See Luke 18:9-14.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Thanks. This doesn’t seem to be addressing the processions in and out though.

I’m thinking maybe this may be more of a traditional practice than something covered by GIRM.

 

[Jen95]

Thanks for asking, Tis, I have wondered this myself. Maybe someone will still chime in.

 

[Jen95]

Maybe this would get more answers in the Traditional Catholicism section?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Perhaps. I’m not able to move threads myself so if someone else thinks it would work better in Traditional Catholicism, I’ll leave it to their judgment.

 

[Phemie]

Thanks. This doesn’t seem to be addressing the processions in and out though.

I’m thinking maybe this may be more of a traditional practice than something covered by GIRM.

What you saw was someone’s personal act of piety, not a gesture we are all called to make.

It’s the same with crossing yourself after receiving Communion; it’s not required. Some do, some don’t, and I think it has much to do with how they were taught to receive their First Communion. In some places (my Catechism class) the emphasis was on not chewing the Host, in others it was crossing yourself. Neither is required.

 

[Elf01]

Perhaps. I’m not able to move threads myself so if someone else thinks it would work better in Traditional Catholicism, I’ll leave it to their judgment.

Done. I hope someone will be able to help. I’m also surprised that you can’t move your own topics.

I go to TLM every few months and it seems like most people at those Masses don’t do anything when the procession passes by them. However, at the last one I attended, I saw two people respond by crossing themselves when the cross passed them and then bowing when the priest passed them.

My guess, since most don’t seem to do it, is that it’s something the people have brought from their own culture.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Thanks, that’s helpful.

I have a vague memory of reading somewhere else that some people reverence the Word of God, as in the big lectionary, going by in the procession. I’ve never actually seen anyone doing that to date however. I personally wouldn’t be inclined to do it, not because I don’t respect the Word of God but because bowing as a book passes by seems a bit Lutheran to me. For that matter, bowing as the priest passes by feels a bit odd also. I mean, when the Pope himself passes by me, I don’t bow.
Bowing to the crucifix passing by feels more appropriate because it’s Jesus our King and one pays respect to the King. On occasions when I am feeling greatly moved I have sometimes genuflected as the crucifix passed by.

 

[Elizabeth3]

I’m thinking it’s cultural too. There’s a new thread (What’s In Persona Christi?) on here that someone else just posted asking a similar question. I think they said they are in Korea and they wanted to know about bowing or genuflecting during procession as well as the meaning of In Persona Christi. You may want to keep an eye on any answers there as well.

In my part of the US, I’ve never noticed anyone making gestures except we have one parish that I visit occasionally and the whole congregation turns around at the beginning to face the back as the procession starts and they turn back around as the procession passes (like they do at weddings when the bride passes by). I don’t know why that started there but even through two changes of priests, the practice persists.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Yes, that thread inspired mine. I didn’t want to hijack their thread, since I’m obviously not in Korea and also their main question is the “In persona Christi” issue. I will read their thread as well.

 

[Annie]

I make the sign of the cross as the priest passes because I am beginning a prayer… Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for him and for all priests

 

[TomH1]

I do not believe any specific gesture is required. However, you are free to make an appropriate gesture of your choice. I always make a small bow of my head as the cross passes our row during the Entrance Procession. I do not make any gesture at the Recession as priest et al. take the short route back to the sacristy and do not pass down the aisle.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I make the sign of the cross as the priest passes because I am beginning a prayer… Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for him and for all priests

That’s a nice idea.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I was taught to make a bow of the head toward the processional cross - I believe once upon a time that was in the rubrics somewhere, but I don’t find it now. I’ve never heard of any sort of reverence toward the priest in procession or genuflecting.

@pulchraesamicamea

 

[Annie]

I forget where I read about it, but not my own idea

 

[ricmat]

I’m a cradle Catholic that grew up in the eastern USA. There were no particular entrance gestures that I remember.

For the last 20 years I’ve been living in a western USA, and going to a parish that is overwhelmingly Hispanic. It seems that most people here make the sign of the cross as the crucifix passes by, and then give a small (not profound) bow to the priest as he passes by.

I’ve adapted these gestures myself because I think gestures are important in terms of showing respect.

I’m also a fan of “hands glued together” and pointing upward during the Mass prayers. As a reminder that I’m praying, and an example to children that the Mass is a Big Deal. Much better than the “hands in my pockets” gesture.

 

[Jen95]

Maybe this helps?
“Bow when the crucifix, a visible symbol of Christ’s sacrifice, passes you in the procession. (If there is a bishop, bow when he passes, as a sign of recognition that he represents the authority of the Church and of Christ as shepherd of the flock.)”

Although it doesn’t specifically say to do the same for the recessional.

Gestures and Postures

On a related note - - is it better to genuflect in the pew (as I see others do), or in the aisle? Because I feel like I am in the way when I genuflect in the aisle itself.

 

[Jen95]

Also…
Why make a new thread about this?

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