Bowing during the Creed

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msproule:
The first link you provided is to the 1975 GIRM, not the most recent 2003 edition. In the 2003 edition, I cannot find any section that explicitly directs the faithful to strike their breast. Even if it is not in there, is the previous instruction to be followed in this matter because there is nothing in the new instruction that specifically changes it?

The second link you provided I could not open for some reason.

The third link you provided contains at least one BIG mistake. In regard to the normative posture and gesture for the reception of Holy Communion (standing and with a bow of the head), it states:
Code: 
 This is the only appropriate posture for the reception of holy Communion as 
 outlined in the new norms. Genuflections and other such gestures when 
 receiving holy Communion are not in accord with the new Norms for 
 Distribution and Reception of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds in the 
 Dioceses of the United States of America.
This is of course, incorrect. While not considered the norms, genuflections and receiving while kneeling are also acceptable postures and gestures for the reception of Holy Communion.
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You may be right, though there seems to be some amount of confusions. For example, this site (victorclaveau.com) from 2003 implies that we still strike our breast during the confiteor, as does this article by a bishop from colorado also dated to 2003 (64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:8XozX94bT_oJ:www.diocesecs.org/CPC/Corner/newspaper/2003/June.pdf+2003+girm+confiteor&hl=en&client=safari)). But you are correct that the 2003 GIRM is silent on the matter when discussing the “general penitential rite” (I assume this means the confiteor) in Chapter II paragraph 51 (I can only find this in PDF, so no link–you’ll have to trust me 😃 ). It is not clear if to me if we are supposed to assume that the 1975 postures continue unless explicitly changed in 2003, or if the anything not mentioned in the 2003 GIRM has been taken out of the mass. And of course, here in Canada it’s not clear that the 2003 GIRM has gone into effect in any case.

BTW, sorry about the faulty links–I suspect it may be caused by my use of Mac’s Safari browser???
 
Vox Borealis:
BTW, sorry about the faulty links–I suspect it may be caused by my use of Mac’s Safari browser???
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The links worked for me using a Mac and the Firefox browser.
 
I knell every time, wethere the Mass is trindetine or in the verncular.
 
Vox Borealis:
BTW, sorry about the faulty links–I suspect it may be caused by my use of Mac’s Safari browser???
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The links were not at fault. It was my network connection. I am now able to follow these links with no trouble. I am surprised; So many of the publications on the USCCB website are outdated, but this one seems to be very timely (if you consider two years timely!)

An earlier generalization I made about when the explicit instructions concerning the breast beating gesture were removed was incorrect. We all seem to be in agreement that breast beating in the Confiteor is instructed in the 1975 Instruction but not in the 2003 Revised Instruction (English translation). At least, not directly instructed. Section 42 of the revised 2003 Instruction indicates (emphasis added):
Code: 
 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.
So, since many priests and apologists seem to refer to prior documents or none at all when indicating the expected gesture of (at least one) strike to the chest upon saying “through my own fault”, I will assume from now on that this falls under the “traditional practice of the Roman Rite”. Satisfied with this exaplanation, I will gladly resume the practice.
 
I do always, but I notice that only about a 1/4 of the parish does.

I have never seen our pastor do this, but our deacon always does. Is the pastor also suppose to bow at this point in the creed?
 
I’m a recent “revert” and didn’t even know we were supposed to bow until I subscribed to the Magnificat. I bow now. I’ve enver noticed anyone else doing so, but we sit up front.
 
WOW. This makes me so happy that others bow, because when my husband and I returned to the Church, we noticed that no one was bowing even though the missal calls for it. We Bow, I’m not sure but I think others are starting to bow during the creed.

This makes me very happy to hear. I always felt I was in the minority. Thank you to all who bow to Christ incarnation.
 
I think that there are a few reasons why people tend not to bow.
  1. Most people honestly don’t realize that they are supposed to.
  2. People don’t use missalettes which woud indicate it to them.
  3. The congregants don’t notice other people doing it and so don’t follow along.
  4. Since a bow could be anything (a nod, a shoulder bow, a bow from the waist), the symbol doesn’t speak profoundly. If the norm were a genenuflection and making such an act (along with perhaps a brief pause in the creed at time), people would get the gist a lot easier.
  5. Many people are probably just reciting the creed off by rote without thinking much about what is being said, anyway.
 
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Melissa:
Well, bow at the waist every time isn’t exactly right, but close enough. We also, in my parish, kneel at that point during Masses for Christmas (including Vigil Masses).
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We do that also at my Church. Most of us also strike our breast during the Penitential Rite, Cross ourselves during the Absolution part but I don’t notice any striking their breast during have Mercy of us.
 
A priest at our parish tried to emphasize the point by asking everyone to kneel at that point in the creed. It kinda worked a little bit, but I’m still one of the minority doing the bow.

I think we need to bring back the bells at that point. :rolleyes:
 
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chicago:
  1. Since a bow could be anything (a nod, a shoulder bow, a bow from the waist), the symbol doesn’t speak profoundly. If the norm were a genenuflection and making such an act (along with perhaps a brief pause in the creed at time), people would get the gist a lot easier.
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I totally agree! That is why I posted earlier that I think the bow is “goofy.” Not because it is wrong to show rspect at that point, but that the “profound bow” is not a form of respect that we use in everyday life, nor has it been a form that Catholics have generally used in liturgy. Plus, as you say, the bow can be anything from a subtle nod (like people you see at an auction) to an exaggerated 90 degree bow at the waist à la some butler character in a bad old movie.

To genuflect would be much better–the form is something most Catholics are used to, it is a more profound gesture of respect, AND its a very visible sign. If only a quarter of parishioners geneuflected regularly, the traditional characterist of Catholics to follow in liturgy would take over and soon enough the whole laity would be genuflecting. Catholics ARE good at learning by example. 👍

I also agree with other posts that a more distinct pause in the Creed and maybe even some bells would further emphaisze this moment in the liturgy.
 
I bow every time, but I just started it. Until I moved to an orthodox parish, I didn’t know that you were supposed to. When I saw them doing it, I think it triggered a memory of reading the Missal and it clicked. So now that I know/remember, I bow regardless of the congregation.
 
When we reach the “He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man” part of the Nicene Creed, I bow my head.
 
Whatever happened to genuflecting during the Creed? Or, for that matter, genuflecting when the bishop/priest asperges the congreation during Easter?
 
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