M
MH84
Guest
I noticed that a lot of people genuflect towards the images at the start of each station. Isn’t that a bit strange that we should genuflect towards them, when the Blessed Sacrament is present right in front of us?
Are we supposed to genuflect towards the Blessed Sacrament or the images during the Stations of the Cross?
- Status
N
NewUlm1976_2000
Guest
The focus of each prayer at each station starts at each station. That is where the focus is during the prayer to focus on that station.
M
MH84
Guest
Whats your answer to the OP? You didnt make that clear.
N
NewUlm1976_2000
Guest
You could go either way and still be fine. Most people do it towards the station because that is where the focus is during the Stations. The depiction helps them focus on that station.
M
MH84
Guest
If you think about it, isnt it strange to genuflect towards an image, while turning your back towards the Blessed Sacrament (which may occur in some cases)?
E
Eilish_Maura
Guest
P
puzzleannie
Guest
you genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament when you enter and leave the church, and during the devotion, genuflect at each station.
B
Brother_John
Guest
Just curious. Is genuflection reserved only for the Blessed Sacrement? Does anyone genuflect or bow before a statue of Mary? The Pope? A Bishop?
I am one of those who genuflect toward each individual station. I never considered that I was “dissin’” the Blessed Sacrement.
M
MH84
Guest
How would you answer post 5?
M
MH84
Guest
When I think about it, its strange to genuflect towards images, instead of the Real Presence of Jesus.
E
Eilish_Maura
Guest
No, no and no.
I have not done the stations in ages but when I did there was a little pamphlet with information what to do and say at each one. There may be a/have been and instruction in one of those.
C
Cristiano
Guest
I think that if you go from station to station you could genuflect toward the station; however for the people sitting in the pews I think that they should just genuflect toward the tabernacle (assuming it is on the main altar) instead of turning all over in the pews. It is quite unsightly to see people doing gymnastics in the pews.
S
sphilomena
Guest
Someone said “no” to all of the above, but I have seen pictures of priests genuflecting before the Pope, and kissing his ring.
As far as the OP, it makes sense as Cristiano suggested, to genuflect forward, toward the tabernacle, if you’re in the pew.
H
hilde_the_dog
Guest
To follow on Sphilomena’s question or should one kneel on the left knee before the Pope or Bishop? I did neither when the Bishop came to our church and we gathered for prayer in the narthex before Mass as I was the only reader that day with the EMHC’s and the alter boys, deacon, and priests.
S
sphilomena
Guest
Someone mentioned that the other day. I believe he said that the “other knee”, the left, is used for the Pope. There are others who know the technicalities better than I!
E
Eilish_Maura
Guest
And should a situation arise there will probably be someone to coach on protocol.
B
Brother_John
Guest
Well, yippee-skippee…when I go to stations tonight, instead of focusing on the journey of the Passion, I’ll be wondering which way I’m supposed to be genuflecting.
A
az_4_faith
Guest
During the Stations of the Cross, even though we may be facing the various Stations during the recitation, we aren’t genuflecting towards the images.
Rather, we genuflect as we say ""We Adore You O Christ, and we bless You . . . because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world . . . "
The action of genuflecting during the recitation of those words gives praise and honor to Christ. We reflect on His Passion while we say this phrase and we genuflect to honor Him, not the images hanging on the wall.
Rather, we genuflect as we say ""We Adore You O Christ, and we bless You . . . because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world . . . "
The action of genuflecting during the recitation of those words gives praise and honor to Christ. We reflect on His Passion while we say this phrase and we genuflect to honor Him, not the images hanging on the wall.
B
Brother_John
Guest
Well, I’m home from Stations and Benediction, with the following observations:
- Three out of five participants looked at their “The Way of the Cross” booklets while genuflecting.
- One out of five participants looked at the Station itself.
- One out of five participants looked at the Priest when genuflecting.
- I saw NO one looking at the tabernacle when genuflecting. I would also note, the couple that was in front of us are the parents of a Priest who is the pastor of another parish in our diocese. They looked at their booklets.
- The female altar server was wearing bright green crocs.
C
Claire_from_DE
Guest
Obviously, this forum is a near occasion of distraction for you. And for your penance, go off-line for 5 minutes!Well, I’m home from Stations and Benediction, with the following observations:
Thus, I must conclude, we are all doomed.
- Three out of five participants looked at their “The Way of the Cross” booklets while genuflecting.
- One out of five participants looked at the Station itself.
- One out of five participants looked at the Priest when genuflecting.
- I saw NO one looking at the tabernacle when genuflecting. I would also note, the couple that was in front of us are the parents of a Priest who is the pastor of another parish in our diocese. They looked at their booklets.
- The female altar server was wearing bright green crocs.
- Status