Bow the head during consecration?

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What is the proper posture during mass when the bread and wine are consecrated? I am not asking about kneeling. I know that we are kneeling, but when the host and chalice are each raised at the words of consecration, should one’s head be bowed or should we be looking at the Body and Blood of Christ in adoration as the priest raises them up?
 
The following is a quote from Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university:

zenit.org/rssenglish-30437
I would hazard to guess that some people have acquired the practice of bowing when the priest genuflects after showing the host as a consequence of seeing concelebrants bowing at this moment. This bow while kneeling is not required, but I don’t think it does any harm and would likely be very hard to eliminate once someone has acquired the habit.
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The same cannot be said for those who bow during the showing so as not to look at the host. While such a gesture is understandable in the light of the divine majesty, the practice contradicts the very reason for raising the host and chalice in the first place. They are raised precisely in order to be seen, contemplated and adored.
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Good question. I have always bowed my head, closed my eyes and listed to the priest’s words. When he says “This is my body” I raise my head and silently say to myself, “My Lord and my God.” (Three times) I never stop looking in adoration and when the priest says, “This is my blood” (I repeat again to myself 3 times, “My Lord and my God.”
I will be looking to see what others do also.
 
Thanks for asking the question. What I have been doing is bowing my head (I’d already be kneeling throughout the Eucharistic Prayer) at the time of the Consecration.

I also pray briefly in my mind for special intentions, as I’ve heard that at the Consecration is when our prayers are especially powerful.

And at the Elevation, I look at Jesus, and say “My Lord and My God” or thank Him for coming to be with us, for the gift of the Eucharist, etc.

Actually when I try to describe this sequence I’m thinking - am I describing it correctly - because it’s just so ingrained. But from the reference cited, I think I’m doing it correctly, and I had been curious. So thanks!👍
 
I also, at the words of consecration, bow my head and whisper " My Lord and my God" and for the Precious Blood i repeat the phrase while adding " Have mercy on us." but I look at the Sacred Host and Chalice when raised in adoration.

Peace
 
ElizabethPH said:
I do this as well as bow during the words of the consecration; I look up as the host/chalice is being raised.
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I do the same. Ever since I read in the Pieta prayer book that every time we gaze upon the Host, our place in Heaven is forever raised I don’t miss an opportunity to do so. 😃

I do bow my head when the priest genuflects. This is a habit picked up from 20 years of being in various choir/cantor situations when I couldn’t kneel. The rubrics call for those who can’t kneel to bow after the Consecration.
 
beckycmarie said:
I do the same. Ever since I read in the Pieta prayer book that every time we gaze upon the Host, our place in Heaven is forever raised I don’t miss an opportunity to do so. 😃

I do bow my head when the priest genuflects. This is a habit picked up from 20 years of being in various choir/cantor situations when I couldn’t kneel. The rubrics call for those who can’t kneel to bow after the Consecration.
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I was unaware of those rubrics. I was under the impression that ALL are, strictly speaking, to kneel, even a Deacon, aside from the Celebrant or Concelebrants. I will have to look into this matter further.

Peace
 
Matt_CL said:
What is the proper posture during mass when the bread and wine are consecrated? I am not asking about kneeling. I know that we are kneeling, but when the host and chalice are each raised at the words of consecration, should one’s head be bowed or should we be looking at the Body and Blood of Christ in adoration as the priest raises them up?
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we are instructed by the church to “look at the Blessed Sacrament and say with faith, piety, and love, My Lord and my God”

it is before the consecration that we have our head bowed.
 
Dysmas1 said:
I was unaware of those rubrics. I was under the impression that ALL are, strictly speaking, to kneel, even a Deacon, aside from the Celebrant or Concelebrants. I will have to look into this matter further.

Peace
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Yes I believe that is correct. But for those who cannot kneel for whatever reason they should bow.
 
ElizabethPH said:
Yes I believe that is correct. But for those who cannot kneel for whatever reason they should bow.
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Cannot kneel as in a physical injury not out of convenience. Members of the choir and the cantor are to kneel and as such adequate space is to be available to them. Staying standing in order to be more efficient at ones cantor or choir duties does not seem to be an adequate reason to stand when Our Lord and God is made manifest in the Eucharist.

Peace
 
Dysmas1 said:
Cannot kneel as in a physical injury not out of convenience. Members of the choir and the cantor are to kneel and as such adequate space is to be available to them. Staying standing in order to be more efficient at ones cantor or choir duties does not seem to be an adequate reason to stand when Our Lord and God is made manifest in the Eucharist.

Peace
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Yes that would mean bad knees an injury infirmity etc.

I didn’t say people in the choir shouldn’t kneel; no one in the choir should be cantering/singing/chanting during the consecration and needs to kneel along with everyone else. We are agreeing correct?
 
Thanks to all for their (name removed by moderator)ut on this one.
Remember now; I was not asking about kneeling. We are already in the kneeling posture at this point in the Mass. I was asking about whether or not to bow the head.

I believe I will bow my head briefly at the elevation and then raise my eyes to look in adoration upon the Lord.
 
=Matt CL;7297399]What is the proper posture during mass when the bread and wine are consecrated? I am not asking about kneeling. I know that we are kneeling, but when the host and chalice are each raised at the words of consecration, should one’s head be bowed or should we be looking at the Body and Blood of Christ in adoration as the priest raises them up?
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MANY years ago a priest addresed this very issue.

His position and my assent sense then have been to look upon my God while repeating… “Thank you Lord; Thank you Jesus.”

His position was [is] that God does this for US, not in some sort of vain Glory. So we owe it to God to Acknowledge His Awesome Gift of Himself.🙂

Love and prayers,
Pat
 
ElizabethPH said:
Yes that would mean bad knees an injury infirmity etc.

I didn’t say people in the choir shouldn’t kneel; no one in the choir should be cantering/singing/chanting during the consecration and needs to kneel along with everyone else. We are agreeing correct?
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We agree lol. As for bowing the head it seems to be a common practice but, correct me if I’m wrong, is not required.

Peace
 
There is no one prescribed way of dealing with this otherwise it would be in the rubrics.

When young it seemed to be the custom here that you bowed your head and beat your chest three times (thinking, ‘Lord I am not worthy…’) as the bells rang during consecration. So you might do a quick ‘My Lord and My God’ as you lower your head.

I do exactly the same thing these days. I watch as the host or chalice is raised to the apex position and then bow my head. But I may now pray a, ‘My Lord and my God’ from here on too.

Thank you.
 
Dysmas1 said:
We agree lol. As for bowing the head it seems to be a common practice but, correct me if I’m wrong, is not required.

Peace
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The bowing is in the rubrics if for some reason a person is unable to kneel, and it’s not just a head bow but a profound bow.
In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, **except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason. **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 unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.
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Source: usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect3c
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Bowing while kneeling is not required.
 
Kneel if it is in the Church and no bowing is necessary; one can stand (optional) if the mass is outside the church or if the floor or ground is unsuitable for kneeling. If we stand then bowing the head is required.

Often times people can overdo this like stretching the hands during the elevation or even singing, ‘Oh come let us adore Him’. This is not required and can distract the others who prefer deep reverence and quiet.

One priest said that our attitude during the consecration is one of deep awe. Deep awe because at that very moment we are faced with the reality that God who does not have to, have to and become man and die for us.

Whether we bow our head or close our eyes it does not matter. I agree with father, that we could just revel in this awesome act of God. There is no word that is sufficient to describe that situation. We just merely transfix and look at God in His awesomeness. I think we can gaze if we can bring ourselves to that disposition but for me being a lesser composition I could only close my eyes and cry.
 
Reuben_J said:
singing, ‘Oh come let us adore Him’.
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I recently saw a priest lead the people in doing this once. He sang the entire chorus of “O Come All Ye Faithful” while elevating the Host and turning from left to right like an oscillating fan. I thought it was pretty weird. :rolleyes:
 
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