Bowing to the Priest

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StephenP83

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Last week I went to a Tridentine Mass for the first time. I thought it was beautiful and I plan to go back often. One thing was really odd to me and I’m hoping for a bit of an explanation. When the Priest walked in (also when we walked out) everyone bowed down on briefly got on their knees as he walked by. Why bow for the Priest? Is there something historical for this?
 
StephenP83 said:
Last week I went to a Tridentine Mass for the first time. I thought it was beautiful and I plan to go back often. One thing was really odd to me and I’m hoping for a bit of an explanation. When the Priest walked in (also when we walked out) everyone bowed down on briefly got on their knees as he walked by. Why bow for the Priest? Is there something historical for this?
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A bow to the priest is like saying “Thank you” without saying it out loud. For example, whenever a Deacon or Acolyte hand a priest something or incense him, there is a bow to acknowledge the act is complete and to give thanks. The priest is supposed to how to them too.

This still happens in the Ordinary Form of the Mass too.

The quick kneel during the processional is typically to honor Christ on the Crucifix has it is carried by.
 
it’s just showing respect for the Holy Office…the same is usually done when the Bishop enters or leaves…it’s also not uncommon to kiss the hand of the Priest…the hands that are instrumental in the most Holy Act…the Consecration…I always thank the Priest for his Priesthood when leaving confession…I always enjoy hearing someone share their positive thoughts about attending the Latin Liturgy…when I was a kid, which was really not THAT long ago…(I attended a public school)…we had Catechism during the summer and when the Priest would enter our room …we stood up out of respect and greeted him with Good Morning, Good Afternoon Father…hope this helps…PAX
 
MarianCatholic said:
Im curious too…
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He is in the image of Christ the Eternal High Priest. especially when he is saying Mass. I bow slightly and make the Sign of the Cross as he comes in and also as he goes out at all Masses. God Bless. Memaw
 
Memaw said:
He is in the image of Christ the Eternal High Priest. especially when he is saying Mass. I bow slightly and make the Sign of the Cross as he comes in and also as he goes out at all Masses. God Bless. Memaw
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I also bow slightly to our Priest as he enters and leaves the Mass, as a sign of respect for his Office. It just feels right. Once outside, as we leave the Church, the atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly as he says goodbye to everyone, so I don’t do it then. 🙂
 
phil19034 said:
The quick kneel during the processional is typically to honor Christ on the Crucifix has it is carried by.
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Agreed. If the procession is coming up the aisle, like a High Mass, a quick kneel as the Crucifix and priest (In Persona Christi) passes and then kneel as he descends the altar for the prayers at the foot of the altar.

Leaving, A) kneel after the Last Gospel if Leonine prayers are being done prior to him leaving, else B) a quick kneel as the procession passes again. Often people will remain kneeling for private Leonine prayers after the priest passes if it was not done previously, but not everyone.

That has been my experience.
 
Growing up, we genuflected as the priest exited. This was in what is now known as the Ordinary Form. I’ve seen it occasionally on EWTN, and at a Episcopalian cathedral I visited, but have not seen it in any Latin parish in years…
 
Thanks for all of the answers. I am fairly new to this (I don’t actually start RCIA until the end of September), but every time I go to Mass I learn more about it. The Tridentine Mass is full of mystery to me and It’s going to take awhile to unpack everything happening there. Next time I go, I won’t be wondering why everyone is bowing now because I know the answer.
 
Throughout the Bible we see examples of people bowing or prostrating before their superiors as an expression of honor. Sons bowed to their fathers…men bowed to their kings…etc. Even in our modern society, we who live in constitutional monarchies bow to royalty…and every man bows or genuflects before his bride to be when he proposes. It is a sign of humility and respect. How much more should we show such respect to the living icon of Christ the High Priest and King when he is celebrating the sacred mysteries? I always bow my head when I greet a priest. Traditionally one would bow one’s head and kiss the priest’s hand.
 
I think it’s just a way of showing respect towards the Priest.
 
Whatever are the historical precedents for this, in the modern context I think it shows respect to priests who are sorely in need of it.
 
As a matter of etiquette, it is not normal to genuflect to a priest, nor to any bishop, but only to one’s own bishop (with the left knee – right knee is reserved for our Lord).

But as a matter of personal devotion and piety, there aren’t hard and fast rules. The nice thing about following the etiquette, though, is that it helps you to show appropriate levels of reverence for the different grades of clergy. (A bishop deserves greater reverence in virtue of his high priestly office.)
 
The only time I bow in front of a priest,is when the priest gives me Holy Communion,because I,am really bowing to the Host of Jesus Chirst before he put,s it on my tougue. Amen
 
Ad_Orientem said:
As a matter of etiquette, it is not normal to genuflect to a priest, nor to any bishop, but only to one’s own bishop (with the left knee – right knee is reserved for our Lord).

But as a matter of personal devotion and piety, there aren’t hard and fast rules. The nice thing about following the etiquette, though, is that it helps you to show appropriate levels of reverence for the different grades of clergy. (A bishop deserves greater reverence in virtue of his high priestly office.)
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The last 4 bishops I knew personally wouldn’t even allow their ring to be kissed, let alone a genuflection. A good firm handshake - we’re talking non-liturgical settings - is all they desired.
 
having grown up in the 1960s and 70s, i don’t recall the parishioners bowing to the priest at any of the masses I attended back then . Don’t even recall my parents who grew up in the 1920s and 30s mentioning anything about this.I genuflect when I leave towards the altar
when I leave my pew,and also when I first get there before entering my pew.But I am bowing before Almighty God and His son Jesus.This is a new one on me.
 
In France, it was the custom to bow or genuflect as the priest processed in because you were bowing/genuflecting to Christ as he approached Calvary.
 
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