Bowing to the tabernacle

[IHeartAquinas]

Growing up, the two parishes my family belonged to both had retained the high altar from pre-Vatican II, but had the new altar from which to conduct the Novus Ordo. At the time, I didn’t understand that what was behind the priest was anything more than a really ornate and fancy way of housing the tabernacle (really, I thought that was the only function of that incredibly-baroque sculptured altar! I never knew it had at one time been THE altar). But, in my CCAD and through my mom’s own explanations when I had questions, I did learn that when one crosses in front of the altar, you are bowing to the tabernacle. She was very insistent that I know that you are not bowing to the altar or to the crucifix, but to the tabernacle which houses the transubstantiated hosts.

So…several years later…

I currently attend the Cathedral of my diocese. It’s the same diocese as the parishes I grew up in. The other parishes in the city retain the high altar, but the Cathedral does not. The tabernacle, as well, has been moved to a side chapel that cannot be seen from any pew (out of curiosity one day after Mass, I actually sat in several different pews trying to catch a glimpse). Yet, when people cross in front or behind the altar, they bow towards the altar, respective to whether they cross in front or behind. For instance, at today’s evening Mass, one of the readers prior to the start of the Mass crossed behind the altar and bowed towards it facing the congregation, while a short time later, the cantor crossed in front of the altar, bowing towards it away from the congregation.

If we are to bow to the tabernacle, why do extraordinary ministers in the Mass walk right past the side chapel without thinking twice, but scrupulously observe the conventional practice of bowing towards the altar? Or was I misinformed growing up and is it actually the altar we are bowing to now?

As a side note, when I genuflect before entering the pew, I turn in the direction of the side chapel as I genuflect so that I am acknowledging the real presence of Christ contained therein as I set my mind to the Mass.

 

[bpbasilphx]

My understanding is that current practice in the Latin Church is (or should be) to genuflect towards the Tabernacle when entering the Sancuary and leaving it, but not when crossing from one side to the other.

But I also know of some Benedictine monasteries where genuflecting is replaced by a profound bow, at least in their own chapels.

 

[IHeartAquinas]

I’m pretty sure you have to when crossing from one side to the other, but my point is that the tabernacle in the cathedral can’t even be seen from the sanctuary unless you are almost on top of the altar, so why are people bowing towards the altar?

 

[Ashurie]

AS far as I know you genuflect to the Tabernacle, and bow to the altar, signs of respect…either way.

The Tabernacle is in my Cathedral is in the High Altar.

 

[white_sheep]

AS far as I know you genuflect to the Tabernacle, and bow to the altar, signs of respect…either way.

The Tabernacle is in my Cathedral is in the High Altar.

That should be correct. Bow to the altar, genuflect to the tabernacle.

 

[mangy_dog]

Good grief!

The simple answer is: You bow to the altar where the sacrifice is celebrated and you genuflect to the tabernacle that contains the Body of Christ.

You bow as many times as you cross the altar. You genuflect once on arrival and once on departure from the church.

 

[scylla]

Good grief!

The simple answer is: You bow to the altar where the sacrifice is celebrated and you genuflect to the tabernacle that contains the Body of Christ.

You bow as many times as you cross the altar. You genuflect once on arrival and once on departure from the church.

This sounds correct, except what do we do when the tabernacle is set off to the side and we have to cross it each time we move from one spot to another, do we genuflect each time, bow? Where would I find the traditional Catholic practice of this explained? Thanks…
Scylla

 

[mangy_dog]

This sounds correct, except what do we do when the tabernacle is set off to the side and we have to cross it each time we move from one spot to another, do we genuflect each time, bow? Where would I find the traditional Catholic practice of this explained? Thanks…
Scylla

Hello Scylla,

No. Ours is also off to one side of the altar, same set up. Genuflect once when you enter and once when you leave. Other than that just bow each time you pass the altar.

The genuflection with the sign of the cross is a greater reverence owed to the consecrated host in the tabernacle. The bow is a lesser reverence owed to the altar of the sacrifice.

 

[scylla]

Hello Scylla,

No. Ours is also off to one side of the altar, same set up. Genuflect once when you enter and once when you leave. Other than that just bow each time you pass the altar.

The genuflection with the sign of the cross is a greater reverence owed to the consecrated host in the tabernacle. The bow is a lesser reverence owed to the altar of the sacrifice.

What about each time we pass the tabernacle, it seems odd to not do anything of respect towards Jesus. What should we do in that case, as we do bow out of respect each time we pass the Altar.

Thanks
Scylla

 

[tabsie3210]

Wow. We’re an OF church where I live, but have our Tabernacle out directly beneath the Crucifix. I always thought that both genuflecturing and bowing were done to the Tabernacle, not the altar! Duh… I feel dumb now.

Because our priest gets irritated (but not angry) if you genuflecture during Good Friday, when the Tabernacle is open and empty. I guess I should have realized that we didn’t stop bowing. Duh, Tabsie! :banghead:

 

[mangy_dog]

What about each time we pass the tabernacle, it seems odd to not do anything of respect towards Jesus. What should we do in that case, as we do bow out of respect each time we pass the Altar.

Thanks
Scylla

In the days of when the Tabernacle was co-located with the Altar, this was not an issue.

If you feel inclined (no pun intended) to bow also, then bow. No harm.

However, think about it…once the mass starts - how many times do you cross the Tabernacle? Unless you are seated in the pews on the side of the Tabernacle, you shouldn’t have to pass it so many times as to make this an issue.

Once the mass has started and the host is consecrated by the priest, all eyes should be on the altar anyway.

Don’t allow this to be an over scrupulous distraction. Render the proper respect and enjoy the mass.

 

[damooster]

You genuflect only when you can actually see the tabernacle. Since you said it is not visible, the people bowing before the altar are correct. When you enter and exit the pew, you should be bowing (not genuflecting).