Bowing durring the Profession of Faith?

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Just wondering how many Catholics perform the required “bowing” durring the Profession of Faith. For anyone who does not even realize it, for the following three lines, “by the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the virgin Mary and became man” Catholics are required to bow. It seems like for the most part, I am the only one bowing which is required, but everyone wants to hold hands or raise hands durring the Lord’s prayer which has never been required.
 
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clement1:
Just wondering how many Catholics perform the required “bowing” durring the Profession of Faith. For anyone who does not even realize it, for the following three lines, “by the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the virgin Mary and became man” Catholics are required to bow. It seems like for the most part, I am the only one bowing which is required, but everyone wants to hold hands or raise hands durring the Lord’s prayer which has never been required.
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I do, but just about everyone else in our parish does not. I think it’s mostly out of ignorance. I place most of the blame on our pastor, who pushes the congregation to hold hands and clap, yet is silent when it comes to gestures that are actually required by the rubrics.

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  • Mike M.
 
I bow during the line in the Profession, “and by the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary and became man”.
I do not and will not do the hand holding thing during the "Our Father "prayer though people next to me try to grab my hands. I fold them and pray.
 
I never knew that was required - and when I returned to the Church this year, it says it in the margin of the missals - so I did it.

And like a typical human, I looked around (granted, I sit in the 4th pew from the front usually, so I’m not distracted) and noticed hardly anyone else did.

But as is also typical of one who desires to be obedient - I bow anyway.

I suppose we have to remember that not everyone is following along in the missal and so they do the mechanics of things without really thinking about it. And I don’t recall learning the bow at that time when I was a kid, so if one never learns it and never follows along in a missal, one does not know they aren’t doing something!

It’s funny to realize how much the mass is a follow the leader. A mini for instance: I was on retreat this weekend with about twelve other people, we all attend different churches. After the “Lamb of God” just before communion, we kneel in my church. (does everyone?) But for some reason, at Saturday’s mass, everyone remained standing… but it felt WEIRD to me… so I knelt and I think others did. On Sunday - I didn’t even think about it - I knelt! And it took a few seconds for the others to follow suit.

I’m no expert - but wouldn’t it be great if we all had a refresher course on “What to DO at Mass”??!

BTW - there’s a great book for anyone wondering about things in the mass - “The How-To Book of the Mass” I get a lot out of mass for having read it. But as I learned this weekend - the purpose of mass is to glorify God - not make me feel good!
 
During periodic updating sessions with EMHC’s our pastoral team is instructing them to do this. After all, they’re in the front rows, and are “leaders.” The hope is that it will catch on. Maybe he’ll make a general announcement also or put it in the bulletin.
 
I bow because we’re supposed to - doesn’t it say to in the small print? Our priest and deacon both bow. Most of the parishoners don’t, though. The people need to be gently reminded of what we do and why we’re doing it. As Catholics, the WHY is always so enlightening! We have so many many neat traditions and rituals that are very meaningful. People would be happy to perform them if they were instructed properly, in my opinion.
 
I bow, and one or two other people do, but that’s all. The priest does too, of course.

I went to Mass twice on the feast of the Annunciation this year. *. In both cases we were reminded at the end of the homily that we were supposed to genuflect today, but no mention was made of the fact one should be bowing at all other times. Seemed like it would have been a good time to ‘remind’ the congregation of the bow, but unfortunately this wasn’t done.

Mike*
 
Yes, we were instructed almost two years ago to start doing this and most in our parish do. At the same time we were also instructed to bow right before receiving the body and blood of Jesus. Again, most do this.

Apparently we’re a compliant bunch. 😃
 
I have always done it because it is in the missal. I’m the only one who does it around where I sit in church.
 
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clement1:
Just wondering how many Catholics perform the required “bowing” durring the Profession of Faith. For anyone who does not even realize it, for the following three lines, “by the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the virgin Mary and became man” Catholics are required to bow. It seems like for the most part, I am the only one bowing which is required, but everyone wants to hold hands or raise hands durring the Lord’s prayer which has never been required.
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I bow during the profession of faith, “…and became man”…as does my wife and the head Sacristan of the church I attend. As far as I can tell we are the only three who do, with the exception of the Pastor. Visiting priests do not. At Christmas we genuflect,( which should be done every time as in the TLM). Should be done out of reverence.

I do not hold hands during the Our Father. I keep them folding in front of my chest. I never raise my hands during any of the Mass as I am not a Priest. Aparrently every one wants to act like the priest and use his hand movements. What is gained from that…nothing.
 
My priests do NOT bow during the Creed, but visiting priests do. I bow my head- as when I receive the Eucharist, but I am one a a very few who do.
 
I never knew we were supposed to do this until I attended a Mass with our Bishop a few months ago. He not only does a profound bow at these lines, but he also bows his head at the name of Jesus. He’s an awesome man. His orthodoxy is increasingly resulting in more vocations from our area from what I’ve heard. Pray it continues and that we can keep him around. We really need him. Unfortunately, not everything trickles down to my parish - - or, mabye it’s just being ignored. No one bows. People barely genuflect anymore.
 
Most of us do bow, as do our priests. Our pastor did explain this to us, but for some people, it just hasn’t become a habit yet, and they forget. That’s my take on it, anyway.

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I bow, and I have bowed for quite a few years now. I’m not the only one doing it, but the majority of people in my church don’t seem to know that they’re supposed to do it.
 
I do, but like a lot of people here, the rest of the parish doesn’t do it, even though it says to do it. I’m just reapeting stuff so I will go.
 
:yup: Always bow. Like many have written, most others in our congregation do not. I am a revert after many years away and truly love the traditions in our Church.
 
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muledog:
I do, but just about everyone else in our parish does not. I think it’s mostly out of ignorance.
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It’s the same way at my parish too.
 
I bow, along with at least half the congregation and the priest and deacon. It just seems natural to me.
 
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Lanciano:
I never raise my hands during any of the Mass as I am not a Priest. Aparrently every one wants to act like the priest and use his hand movements. What is gained from that…nothing.
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Psalm 134:2:
Lift up your hands towards the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.
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Let’s see, the Word of God says to lift my hands toward the sanctuary. Lanciano says don’t lift my hands. Who should I listen to, God or Lanciano? I choose God.
 
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