Bowing Rules -Please help

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dvberte

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I’m a little confused about bowing protocol, could someone please help with a few, probably dumb, questions?

Lectors-
  • Should a lector always bow to the altar prior to proceeding to the lectern?
  • If they pass in front of the tabernacle they do not bow, correct?
  • If the lector is seated with the congregation to the left; should they pass the ambo, bow to the altar, then proceed to the lectern: or bow at the end of the first pew before approaching the dais, and enter the ambo from the (congregation’s) left?
EMHC’s-
  • Should they bow prior to approaching the altar? Where?
  • Should the chalice be emptied prior to the last person receiving, should they maintain their position and wait to bow with the priest to the congregation, or should they immediately proceed to the credence table?
Laity-
  • Should the laity at any time pass behind the altar? (excepting the EMHC’s?)
  • The altar is only bowed to during Mass or devotions, etc. correct?
  • Outside of Mass, if a person is approaching the dais, should they genuflect to the tabernacle both approaching and leaving?
Am I missing any?

Thanks for any help.
 
I’ll repeat what I put in another post, here. But it will not have everything you need. But, if you hit the link, you will find more.

Bowing is required, per the GIRM, in the part of the Creed discussed in this thread. I include the entire section on Genuflections and Bows to provide context.

**IV. Some General Norms for All Forms of Mass

** 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 showing of the host, after the showing of the chalice, and before Communion. Certain specific features to be observed in a concelebrated Mass are noted in their proper place (cf. above, nos. 210-251).

If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is present 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 bows: 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 (Almighty God, cleanse my heart) and In spiritu humilitatis (Lord God, we ask you to receive); in the Creed at the words Et incarnatus est (by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . made man); in the Roman Canon at the words Supplices te rogamus (Almighty God, we pray that your angel). 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 speaks the words of the Lord at the consecration.
 
Yes, I followed the link, thank you for the help.

I might be a bit thick, but I couldn’t apply the text to my questions, and get any kind of meaningful answer.

Actually it confused me more, as I was under the impression that the tabernacle was genuflected to during the Mass only wnhen being opened or closed, not when passing. The link ‘seems’ to indicate the opposite.
 
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dvberte:
I’m a little confused about bowing protocol, could someone please help with a few, probably dumb, questions?

Lectors-
  • Should a lector always bow to the altar prior to proceeding to the lectern?
  • If they pass in front of the tabernacle they do not bow, correct?
  • If the lector is seated with the congregation to the left; should they pass the ambo, bow to the altar, then proceed to the lectern: or bow at the end of the first pew before approaching the dais, and enter the ambo from the (congregation’s) left?
EMHC’s-
  • Should they bow prior to approaching the altar? Where?
  • Should the chalice be emptied prior to the last person receiving, should they maintain their position and wait to bow with the priest to the congregation, or should they immediately proceed to the credence table?
Laity-
  • Should the laity at any time pass behind the altar? (excepting the EMHC’s?)
  • The altar is only bowed to during Mass or devotions, etc. correct?
  • Outside of Mass, if a person is approaching the dais, should they genuflect to the tabernacle both approaching and leaving?
Am I missing any?

Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
I’ll answer without looking them up.

Lectors-
  • Should a lector always bow to the altar prior to proceeding to the lectern?
Yes
  • If they pass in front of the tabernacle they do not bow, correct?
Correct
  • If the lector is seated with the congregation to the left; should they pass the ambo, bow to the altar, then proceed to the lectern: or bow at the end of the first pew before approaching the dais, and enter the ambo from the (congregation’s) left?
They should sit where they are closest to where they will perform their duty. Before stepping into the sanctuary they should bow to the altar.

EMHC’s-
  • Should they bow prior to approaching the altar? Where?
Yes, prior to stepping into the sanctuary.
  • Should the chalice be emptied prior to the last person receiving, should they maintain their position and wait to bow with the priest to the congregation, or should they immediately proceed to the credence table?
I suggest going directly to the credence table.

Laity-
  • Should the laity at any time pass behind the altar? (excepting the EMHC’s?)
Not during Mass

The altar is only bowed to during Mass or devotions, etc. correct?
  • Outside of Mass, if a person is approaching the dais, should they genuflect to the tabernacle both approaching and leaving?
Yes

Extra: Everyone in the sanctuary during the Mass should be kneeling when the rest of the faithful are kneeling. Except the priest(s) and deacon(s)

EMHC are not to be in the sanctuary until after the priest receives Holy Communion and would not kneel after entering the sanctuary.

EMHC are not to approach the altar itself and take anything from or place anything on the altar.
 
I don’t think this has been said yet but if it has I apologize for repeating it. Outside of mass we make a sign of reverence by genuflecting to the tabernacle. However, during the mass, the altar is the focus of the mass because it is where the sacrifice will be made and Christ will be brought present to us. This is why we reverence the altar during the mass with a profound bow at the waist rather than genuflecting to the tabernacle.

God Bless,
Matt
 
Thank you so vry much for your help Br. Rich!

May I ask, are the EMHC’s allowed to pass behind the alter while performing their duties?

Thank you again.
 
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dvberte:
Thank you so vry much for your help Br. Rich!

May I ask, are the EMHC’s allowed to pass behind the alter while performing their duties?

Thank you again.
Click to expand...
They generally should not need to. However I do not believe that it is specifically forbidden.
 
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