Bowing at the names of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

[johnmann]

So you’re supposed to bow your head at the names of Jesus, Mary, and the saint in those honor the Mass is offered. Most days, that means at most a dozen bows throughout Mass. Today was the solemnity of St. Joseph. I looked like a bobble-head. There must have been at least 40 mentions, often in rapid succession. It got to the point where I just kept my head down. How is this usually handled in the EF? When the bowing becomes almost comical, it no longer serves its intended purpose.

 

[Ed_Silvia]

I don’t think the word has gone around so much that we are supposed to, at least I haven’t seen it.
I’m not sure of the EF and meaning no disrespect to Our Lady and the beloved Saints I only usually bow my head a little when Jesus Christ is mentioned and it seems where I go I’m alone in that.

 

[Miserissima]

I was taught the scriptural basis for bowing my head at the name of Jesus…never heard of bowing my head at the Communion of Saints. OP, can you fill us in as to where you were taught this?

 

[Elizium23]

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; during the prayers Munda cor meum (Cleanse my heart) and In spiritu humilitatis (With humble spirit); in the Creed at the words et incarnatus est (and by the Holy Spirit . . . and became man); in the Roman Canon at the Supplices te rogamus (In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God). The same kind of bow is made by the Deacon when he asks for a blessing before the proclamation of the Gospel. In addition, the Priest bows slightly as he pronounces the words of the Lord at the Consecration.

 

[Ed_Silvia]

Elizium23:
That’s funny I never notice our priest doing that. I would be happy to follow.

 

[MaryT777]

Were there others doing this or just yourself? I have been to thousands of Masses and have never seen bowing your head at the names of Mary and Saints.
Mary.

 

[Elizium23]

Were there others doing this or just yourself? I have been to thousands of Masses and have never seen bowing your head at the names of Mary and Saints.
Mary.

Yet it is required by the rubrics since before the reforms of the Mass of Paul VI. The problem is that the faithful are never catechized about this during their Religious Education classes, sacramental preparation, instruction on the sacred liturgy, or anything. So they grow to adulthood not doing it, and pass this ignorance on to their children and their children as well. It takes someone reading the GIRM to notice that this is required and begin doing it as a necessary thing.

Our pastor has published these rubrics in the church bulletin twice now, and still I am the only person doing it (not even our priests or altar servers.)

 

[MaryT777]

Yet it is required by the rubrics since before the reforms of the Mass of Paul VI. The problem is that the faithful are never catechized about this during their Religious Education classes, sacramental preparation, instruction on the sacred liturgy, or anything. So they grow to adulthood not doing it, and pass this ignorance on to their children and their children as well. It takes someone reading the GIRM to notice that this is required and begin doing it as a necessary thing.

Our pastor has published these rubrics in the church bulletin twice now, and still I am the only person doing it (not even our priests or altar servers.)

Is the priest required to do so as well?
Forty times in one Mass one is required to do this?

 

[afs108]

The long “Saint lists” appear mostly in the Eucharistic Prayer - considering what is happening and who is made present on the Altar, you’d have a recollected posture anyway.

For the priest’s part, it often works best as (for example): “…in communion with those whose memory we venerate, bow head especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, † and blessed Joseph, her spouse, de-incline head your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John…”.

During the EF, due to the silent canon, the laity wouldn’t hear the names said anyway - but, just like the OF, they would be in a reverent and respectful position due to what is happening at the Altar.

These sort of little gestures help us to acknowledge something special is happening and that it is real. To that extent, if they become important in and of themselves, separated from the Sacred Liturgy, they are a mockery of Divine Mysteries. Reverence the names if and when you hear them stand out - eg. a homily, the day’s collect, etc. While I’d be the first to argue that rubrics are there to be followed, do so with common sense and (I’m assuming you’re a pew-sitting layman) don’t let the mechanical function (crucial though it is) to overshadow your prayer, but let it be an extension of your active (interior) participation.

 

[HB11]

I bow at name of Jesus and in the Creed. I never knew about the other one. Very interesting, thank you for info.

 

[MaryT777]

The long “Saint lists” appear mostly in the Eucharistic Prayer - considering what is happening and who is made present on the Altar, you’d have a recollected posture anyway.

For the priest’s part, it often works best as (for example): “…in communion with those whose memory we venerate, bow head especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, † and blessed Joseph, her spouse, de-incline head your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John…”.

During the EF, due to the silent canon, the laity wouldn’t hear the names said anyway - but, just like the OF, they would be in a reverent and respectful position due to what is happening at the Altar.

These sort of little gestures help us to acknowledge something special is happening and that it is real. To that extent, if they become important in and of themselves, separated from the Sacred Liturgy, they are a mockery of Divine Mysteries. Reverence the names if and when you hear them stand out - eg. a homily, the day’s collect, etc. While I’d be the first to argue that rubrics are there to be followed, do so with common sense and (I’m assuming you’re a pew-sitting layman) don’t let the mechanical function (crucial though it is) to overshadow your prayer, but let it be an extension of your active (interior) participation.

Well said, thanks.
Mary.

 

[phil19034]

For anyone who is interested:

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-4.cfm

Genuflections and Bows

1. A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the Holy Cross from the solemn adoration during the liturgical celebration on Good Friday until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

During Mass, three genuflections are made by the Priest Celebrant: namely, after the elevation of the host, after the elevation of the chalice, and before Communion. Certain specific features to be observed in a concele-brated Mass are noted in their proper place (cf. nos. 210-251).

If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is situated in the sanctuary, the Priest, the Deacon, and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from it, but not during the celebration of Mass itself.

Otherwise, all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession.

Ministers carrying the processional cross or candles bow their heads instead of genuflecting.

1. 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; during the prayers Munda cor meum (Cleanse my heart) and In spiritu humilitatis (With humble spirit); in the Creed at the words et incarnatus est (and by the Holy Spirit . . . and became man); in the Roman Canon at the Supplices te rogamus (In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God). The same kind of bow is made by the Deacon when he asks for a blessing before the proclamation of the Gospel. In addition, the Priest bows slightly as he pronounces the words of the Lord at the Consecration.

God Bless

 

[Miserissima]

The saint in honor of whom the Mass is said is not the roll call of patrons.

Someone mentioned forty head bobs(variable with the Gospel reading). How many, in total, including the Saint of the Day in th propers? Still about forty?

 

[phil19034]

Yet it is required by the rubrics since before the reforms of the Mass of Paul VI. The problem is that the faithful are never catechized about this during their Religious Education classes, sacramental preparation, instruction on the sacred liturgy, or anything. So they grow to adulthood not doing it, and pass this ignorance on to their children and their children as well. It takes someone reading the GIRM to notice that this is required and begin doing it as a necessary thing.

Our pastor has published these rubrics in the church bulletin twice now, and still I am the only person doing it (not even our priests or altar servers.)

I remember Archbishop Sample of Portland in Oregon saying that it he doesn’t like it when people hold their hands/arms like the priest during the Our Father (which only the Priests are supposed to do), but don’t do the gestures which are called for in the Rubics and GRIM.



God Bless

 

[ProVobis]

During the EF, due to the silent canon, the laity wouldn’t hear the names said anyway - but, just like the OF, they would be in a reverent and respectful position due to what is happening at the Altar.

Traditionally, one bows at the name of Jesus, whether in casual talk, in symposiums, at Mass during the readings and sermon, the Creed, Rosary, etc.

One also bows at the Gloria Patre during the Asperges Me, Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, Introit, Lavabo, etc.

At the FSSP Mass, one kneels in the Credo Et incarnatus est… and ALSO makes a profound bow at the ET HOMO FACTUS EST. There is also a bow at “Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adorator et conglorificator.” (Who with the Father and Son is together adored and sanctified.)

Servers bow at appropriate times to the crucifix, to the priest, and to each other.

 

[chefmomster2]

I was always taught to bow my head for the name of Jesus. I still do it. I never was told to bow my head at the names of Joseph or Mary. I thought at the time that it was somehow related to the commandment not to use the Lord’s name in vain. The bow was a sign that we were being reverent.

 

[surritter]

I always try to do that (as the OP said) and it’s funny – I noticed it today too during Mass.
As the Gospel was being proclaimed, I bowed my head as much as I could but it got to be rapid-fire after a while: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and then Joseph this, Mary that…

I guess there are no rules about what is too much. (But hey, at least it’s great that people are noticing the names as they come up during Mass.)

 

[waxwings]

So you’re supposed to bow your head at the names of Jesus, Mary, and the saint in those honor the Mass is offered. Most days, that means at most a dozen bows throughout Mass. Today was the solemnity of St. Joseph. I looked like a bobble-head. There must have been at least 40 mentions, often in rapid succession. It got to the point where I just kept my head down. How is this usually handled in the EF? When the bowing becomes almost comical, it no longer serves its intended purpose.

You bring up a very good point here.We were tought at school to bow,i have never seen it happen for many years.I will look out for this at Mass on Sunday.

We were also taught to bless ourselves when passing a Catholic Church,some people,including myself sometimes still do it.Et Nomine Patris Et Filii Et Spiritus Sancti Amen

St Ninian Pray For Us

 

[waxwings]

I was always taught to bow my head for the name of Jesus. I still do it. I never was told to bow my head at the names of Joseph or Mary. I thought at the time that it was somehow related to the commandment not to use the Lord’s name in vain. The bow was a sign that we were being reverent.

But many of us do bow our heads at the Consecration,and Priest Blessing

 

[glendab]

Hey there Miserissima.

I was taught the scriptural basis for bowing my head at the name of Jesus…never heard of bowing my head at the Communion of Saints. OP, can you fill us in as to where you were taught this?

I got the instruction from someone in the Holy Name Society way back when I was a new Catholic a little old Italian lady at a near-by parish I visited. She was really nice. It is done out of reverence for the names of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saint whose feast day it is. You simply bow your head when you hear those names and they have to be said exactly that way - Jesus Christ, Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, etc not Jesus or the Holy Mother, or Joseph most chaste spouse, etc. and the reason being is that there is an Indulgence each time you honor the names. The actually Indulgences were obtain by the Dominicans who founded the Holy Name Society and they get renewed. It used to be a 300 days Indulgence each time you bowed your head, but I think it is now just a Partial Indulgence, non-specific.

You could find out more by contacting them. I bet they’re on-line somewhere.

Glenda