Bow or genuflect before receiving

[goodcatholicman]

I have see people bow or genuflect prior to receiving the host. which way is correct? I feel moved to genuflect but feel awkward, Since most people do not.

 

[Apryl]

I have see people bow or genuflect prior to receiving the host. which way is correct? I feel moved to genuflect but feel awkward, Since most people do not.

Like you, I like to genuflect

It is my understanding that this is the correct posture when receiving communion from a Bishop (or higher). It is not necessary in normal circumstances, but I have yet to find anything to tell me that it is improper or wrong.

 

[ncjohn]

The norm for the United States, as expressed by the USCCB, is to bow. I too have seen many variations though and have never seen anyone taken to task for their preference.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi,

I have neer seen any documentation for a different gesture of reverence for reception from different ministers. Could you provide this instruction?

Do you believe that it is the same Jesus, regardless of the minister? The sign of reverence is for Jesus, not the minister.

From the GIRM

1. The priest then takes the paten or ciborium and goes to the communicants, who, as a rule, approach in a procession.

The faithful are not permitted to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them from one to another. The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing. Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel. Rather, such instances should be addressed pastorally, by providing the faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm.

When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.

and

1. The gestures and posture of the priest, the deacon, and the ministers, as well as those of the people, ought to contribute to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, so that the true and full meaning of the different parts of the celebration is evident and that the participation of all is fostered.52 Therefore, attention should be paid to what is determined by this General Instruction and the traditional practice of the Roman Rite and to what serves the common spiritual good of the People of God, rather than private inclination or arbitrary choice.

Lux

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

The norm for the United States, as expressed by the USCCB, is to bow. I too have seen many variations though and have never seen anyone taken to task for their preference.

I have also seen many variations, from head bow to waist bow. Of course most people still do nothing (as they still can do and receive). There is nothing inherently wrong with that as the amount of outward show does not always represent what is really inside the person.

 

[Dempsey1919]

Would it be possible for you to kneel? Personally, I think this is the best way to receive the Lord. However, I haven’t attended a new Mass for years so I don’t really know the protocol for this.

It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you show some form of respect and adoration, in my opinion.

 

[DebChris]

I bow as the words “This is my Body” or “This is my Blood” are spoken. Occasionally a person will come to Mass who genuflects. This can make it difficult for the person behind him/her when it is not expected and there is insufficient space. Nobody’s tripped yet, but the potential is there.
When I first started going to the parish I now call home, the pastor would signal those who genuflected or knelt while receiving communion to stand. He had surgery on his knee and bending down to the communicatant was hard on him physically.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

Would it be possible for you to kneel?

Not in any communion line I have seen (except for a flip through the EWTN mass). You risk being run over if you hold up the line for that long. Most people are just not used to it.

I have never seen it done in all the many parishes I have attended over the years.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

If you are going to kneel get on the end of the line so there is no one behind you.

 

[diet_coke]

I have see people bow or genuflect prior to receiving the host. which way is correct? I feel moved to genuflect but feel awkward, Since most people do not.
/

There used to be a lady at my old church who used to genuflect when receiving the host. I felt like she was showing off like look at me.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

It certainly does call attention to oneself, which is one reason it should not be done.

We are instructed to worship in community at Mass, and use our personal preferences at private worship.

Lux

 

[Dempsey1919]

Not in any communion line I have seen (except for a flip through the EWTN mass). You risk being run over if you hold up the line for that long. Most people are just not used to it.

I attend the Tridentine Mass so it is different for me. We all kneel at the altar rail and receive the Lord directly onto our tongues.

I haven’t attended the ordinary form of the Mass in years so I don’t know what it would be like.

Regardless, as long as you show reverence and adoration it is fine. Always remember that it truly is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Think of what you would do if he was physically standing in human form in front of you, and then consider that it is the same Jesus who you receive in the Eucharist.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Yes, this is certainly true, but we should also consider the instructions we are given by our bishop.

A uniform posture is considered important, so our own preferences should be set aside.

If I attend a Tredintine Mass, I would kneel, but I would never genuflect in a communion procession.

Lux

 

[Apryl]

I bow as the words “This is my Body” or “This is my Blood” are spoken. Occasionally a person will come to Mass who genuflects. This can make it difficult for the person behind him/her when it is not expected and there is insufficient space. Nobody’s tripped yet, but the potential is there.
When I first started going to the parish I now call home, the pastor would signal those who genuflected or knelt while receiving communion to stand. He had surgery on his knee and bending down to the communicatant was hard on him physically.

What I do to try to prevent problems is that when the line is stopped so that the person before me is receiving communion, that is the time when I genuflect, so that when they move away, and I rise, no one is stopped, stalled, or distracted.

I think this works well. I have never heard a murmur of anything otherwise.

 

[jmcrae]

I bow to the Host when the priest holds it up and says, “the Body of Christ,” and then after I receive, I make the Sign of the Cross.

No one has ever complained.

 

[YADA]

From the American Bishops found here:

usccb.org/liturgy/girm/bul3.shtml

Finally, with the new General Instruction, we are asked to make a sign of reverence, to be determined by the bishops of each country or region,* before receiving Communion standing*. The bishops of this country have determined that the sign which we will give before Communion is to be a bow, a gesture through which we express our reverence and give honor to Christ who comes to us as our spiritual food.

In addition to serving as a vehicle for the prayer of beings composed of body and spirit, the postures and gestures in which we engage at Mass have another very important function. The Church sees in these common postures and gestures both a symbol of the unity of those who have come together to worship and a means of fostering that unity. We are not free to change these postures to suit our own individual piety, for the Church makes it clear that our unity of posture and gesture is an expression of our participation in the one Body formed by the baptized with Christ, our head. When we stand, kneel, sit, bow and sign ourselves in common action, we given unambiguous witness that we are indeed the Body of Christ, united in heart, mind and spirit.

We are to make a bow, while standing…a symbol of respect and honor to Jesus and in obedience and as a symbol of unity.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

What I do to try to prevent problems is that when the line is stopped so that the person before me is receiving communion, that is the time when I genuflect, so that when they move away, and I rise, no one is stopped, stalled, or distracted.

I think this works well. I have never heard a murmur of anything otherwise.

However it works, the instructions tell you to bow. Why do you feel you must be different?

Lux

 

[Mary_ann_R]

Yes, this is certainly true, but we should also consider the instructions we are given by our bishop.

A uniform posture is considered important, so our own preferences should be set aside.

Lux

I agree! :yup: We should remain obedient to the Bishop.

 

[Brendan]

It certainly does call attention to oneself, which is one reason it should not be done.

We are instructed to worship in community at Mass, and use our personal preferences at private worship.

Lux

Sort of, GIRM 42 states that we are to be attentive to not only the GIRM, but to the traditional practices of the Roman Rite, which includes kneeling for Communion.

The Vatican has also confirmed the the Universal Norm of kneeling also remains in effect in the US, in addtion to the local ( Particular) Norm of standing.

Both are valid options as they are both normative, kneeling also has the advantage of complying with GIRM 42 on being attentive to the traditions of our Rite.

 

[Apryl]

However it works, the instructions tell you to bow. Why do you feel you must be different?

Probably I have never seen the instructions.

Please go back and read my post. As I stated: I have never heard that there was anything wrong with my posture. I have never been informed of how it was to be done.

And as my pastor has never told me otherwise, I never saw a problem.

Add to that that I have participated in masses in about 30 different dioceses, and never had a priest, bishop, cardinal, deacon, or EMHE tell me anything different.

So, in answer to your non-questions: I wasn’t trying to be different. I was being reverential.

Now that I have instruction, I can follow the instruction.

Thank you for being an informer.