Bowing before the Virgin Mary

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My husband was told by our priest that it is proper to bow to show veneration and to kneel to show worship. In that case, I think that bowing is the correct posture since we are to venerate Mary.

…I’m really not sure what the official church teaching is on this if there is one.
 
I think it depends on one’s intention and respect. I would bow my head when the flag-draped coffin of fallen hero passes on parade–without meaning I worship the soldier. Just to show my respects. I also bow my head before an image of Mary, or even without an image when I ask for her intercession. And sometimes, I don’t. In my heart, it’s not the same as bowing before the Blessed Sacrament in worship–which I MUST do 100% of the time.
 
thistle said:
How would you bow to Mary? Where is she?
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I think means like the statue or something…

But as a Catholic I must it depends if it’s getting on your knees or a slight nod or bow of the head, I would say it’s okay, but a falling face down in front of her isn’t something I can say is permissible.

God bless :byzsoc:

David
 
gilbs72 said:
I think it depends on one’s intention and respect. I would bow my head when the flag-draped coffin of fallen hero passes on parade–without meaning I worship the soldier. Just to show my respects. I also bow my head before an image of Mary, or even without an image when I ask for her intercession. And sometimes, I don’t. In my heart, it’s not the same as bowing before the Blessed Sacrament in worship–which I MUST do 100% of the time.
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I agree. That said, I’ve seen (in my old parish), alter servers bow before the sculpture of “La Pieta” on the side of the alter as they were passing by. I found that incredibly touching. Of course, Jesus is also in the sculpture.
 
You bow at her name, but I’m not sure if you do before an image of her.
 
I know that it is permissable. During the Apostles’ Creed in church we are asked to bow during the time that we mention Our Lady. And how else are we are to show respect to her? I feel that bowing is appropriate.
 
Many people can and do bow before the Queen of England, not to mention other lesser VIPs (think of everyone bowing to the judge as he enters a courtroom).

Why not bow to the infinitely more important Queen of Heaven?
 
We bow to the office of the Pope, why wouldn’t we bow in honor to Jesus’ mother?
 
i was told that its about your intention when you bow to Mother Mary are you doing in Adoration(which is wrong Adoration is due to God alone) or Veneration. God bless
 
People bow to the queen and in some cultures, like the Japanese, people routinely bow to each other. It isn’t necessarily a sacred act.
 
cheese_puff said:
wouldn’t advise it, that’s for God only.
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Bowing and laying prostrate before another human being or even an angel is acceptable as an act of veneration or homage, not of worship and adoration which is given to God alone.

*And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him.
Matthew 2, 11

And when he [the angel Gabriel] spoke to me I fell flat on the ground: and he touched me, and he set me upright.
Daniel 8, 18

And Joseph was governor in the land of Egypt, and corn was sold by his direction to the people. And when his brethren had bowed down to him, And he knew them, he spoke as it were to strangers somewhat roughly, asking them, Whence came you?
Genesis 42, 6-7

Saul knew that it was Samuel, and so he bowed face to the ground in homage.
1 Samuel 28, 14

Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell down and worshipped Daniel and ordered sacrifice and incense offered to him.
Daniel 2, 46

Then, after they lifted him up, he threw himself at the feet of Judith in homage, saying, “Blessed are you in every tent of Judah; and in every foreign nation, all who hear of you will be struck with terror.”
Judith 14, 7*

PAX
:heaven:

,
 
DevotedChild said:
I know that it is permissable. During the Apostles’ Creed in church we are asked to bow during the time that we mention Our Lady. And how else are we are to show respect to her? I feel that bowing is appropriate.
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The bow during the creed is to honor the mystery of the incarnation not the Blessed Mother.

M
 
I seem to recall hearing that the protocol is right knee for the Lord in the tabernacle, left knee for the pope, both knees for the Lord exposed in the monstrance. I think I read here that a head bow is proper during the LOTH when the Blessed Mother’s name is used. I see no problem with a bow to Our Lady.

M
 
mlldrl said:
I think I read here that a head bow is proper during the LOTH when the Blessed Mother’s name is used. I see no problem with a bow to Our Lady.

M
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During Mass and the LOTH, there should be a bow at the following:
  • The Names of the trinity (ie, the gloria patri)
  • The Name of Jesus
  • The Name of Mary
  • The Name of the Saint of the Day
 
TheMc said:
During Mass and the LOTH, there should be a bow at the following:* The Names of the trinity (id est, the Glória Patri)* The Name of Jesus* The Name of Mary* The Name of the Saint of the Day
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The Ave Maria is such a pain to figure out the bows! It’s got Jesus and Mary’s names in quick succession. It always looks like my head is bobbing up and down.
 
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