Bowing when the priest passes

[markadm]

I would love to! I understand that Catholic Scots are few and far between - or so my great-grandmother passed down to us.

We constitute 20% of the population, but it is concentrated in particular areas. And many Scottish Catholics are very … ermm… well, let’s say there’s a lot of the so-called “spirit” of Vatican II afoot.

 

[Pani_Rose]

As someone sated earlier, the priest represents Christ, so it is not the priest that one bows to but Christ.

Also, a bow from the waist towards the Altar or Eucharist, is a prostration of the heart towards God.

 

[NetNuncio]

Seems to be a personal devotion instilled in some. I personally bow to the bishop as he is imparting blessings in the procession.

Adam

 

[Alexios]

You are supposed to bow to both the priest and the crucifix (separately) as they pass.

I strongly encourage everyone who doesn’t already do so to take up the practice immediately!

You all know, too, I am sure, to bow your head every time the Name of Jesus is said, no matter how often.

None of these things were done away with in the New Mass. In fact all people are expected to do these things. They’re really more than suggestions, especially bowing at the Holy Name.

 

[NetNuncio]

You are supposed to bow to both the priest and the crucifix (separately) as they pass.

I strongly encourage everyone who doesn’t already do so to take up the practice immediately!

You all know, too, I am sure, to bow your head every time the Name of Jesus is said, no matter how often.

None of these things were done away with in the New Mass. In fact all people are expected to do these things. They’re really more than suggestions, especially bowing at the Holy Name.

You are correct. None of these things were done away with in the New Mass because they weren’t mandated in the Old Mass.

I also bow my head at the Holy Name. However, others may not take part in this practice by their own preference. Particularly, if one is going to get caught up in the action and not in the meaning behind it, perhaps it is best to put other acts of piety into your worship.

I agree, these actions are greatly suggested, but it is not an abuse or incorrect not to employ them.

Adam

 

[Alexios]

I agree with you Adam, in regards to bowing to the priest and crucifix…technically. But it is custom from time immemorial and is enshrined in the Liturgy and is one of our many outward signs of inward devotion. I don’t see why one wouldn’t do it, given the tradition behind it.

As far as the Holy Name goes, I am almost positive that it is a requirement, not a suggestion, at least of the clergy if not all of the people.

 

[Alexios]

Getting caught up in doing something and not in the meaning behind it reminds me of holding hands during the Pater Noster, although perhaps since the “meaning behind it” is dubious and rather unorthodox it is better for people not get the meaning behind it (or better yet, refrain from doing it whatsoever, which is what I do).

 

[I_Believe]

You are supposed to bow to both the priest and the crucifix (separately) as they pass.

I strongly encourage everyone who doesn’t already do so to take up the practice immediately!

You all know, too, I am sure, to bow your head every time the Name of Jesus is said, no matter how often.

None of these things were done away with in the New Mass. In fact all people are expected to do these things. They’re really more than suggestions, especially bowing at the Holy Name.

Bowing at the Holy Name has become second nature for me. I also make a unhurried and reveverent sign of the cross when passing a Catholic Church or cemetery.

I picked up the practice of genuflecting and making the sign of the cross as the processional crucifix passes, and then bowing to the celebrent after attending my first Forma Extraordinaria. I’ve done so at all NO Masses on Sunday ever since.

Anything that pleases God is worth the effort

 

[markadm]

Getting caught up in doing something and not in the meaning behind it reminds me of holding hands during the Pater Noster, although perhaps since the “meaning behind it” is dubious and rather unorthodox it is better for people not get the meaning behind it (or better yet, refrain from doing it whatsoever, which is what I do).

Isn’t this a bit like comparing chalk and cheese, though?

The holding hands at the Our Father is not mandated… whereas the bowing was!

 

[Alexios]

I_Believe,

Yes, I cross myself upon passing a Catholic (or Eastern Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox, since they have valid Sacraments) church as well.

I simply bow and cross myself to the crucifix and the priest; it would be too hard to genuflect in a pew (ugh…another reason pews are unCatholic!). But that’s another thread…

 

[Chris_McAvoy]

I am quite satisfied to see so many people promoting the bowing before priests and bowing in general. You are bringng back the ancient tradition that makes the Church what it is. One of my greatest pleasures is bowing before a passing priest in the Melkite Church it is good to see evidence to support my doing the same in Latin Churches. Alexios you are right about the pews being un-Catholic. Most of the oldest churches in Western Europe (not to mention Eastern) do not have pews in them and instead have chairs. In Portugal most churches did not have pews or more than a few chairs in them until the 20th century. It has been a great pleasure of mine to attend churches that do not have pews and have an open spacious transcendent feeling. However for most people it is not easy to understand the importance of not having pews until they actually experience it. Considering there are so many other problems to solve that is going to be low on the list except for the Eastern Churches whose communities and liturgies are in better condition and have time to be obsessed with removing them.

 

[KathleenElsie]

Question- I read on Fisheaters that it is appropriate to profoundly bow (or bow the head) and make the Sign of the Cross when the priest passes by along with someone holding the Crucifix at the beginning/end of Mass. Does anyone still do this?

My family and I do.

 

[preV2tradcath]

Question- I read on Fisheaters that it is appropriate to profoundly bow (or bow the head) and make the Sign of the Cross when the priest passes by along with someone holding the Crucifix at the beginning/end of Mass. Does anyone still do this?

Many do at the TLM I attend. I am in charge of the altar boys, and usually vest and serve with them, or at least sit on the side in the sanctuary. When we process or recess, I notice many ready to bow to the priest when he passes by. When I first started attending that Mass, and would be in the congregation, I would notice those in the pews in front of me who did it.

 

[NPC]

This is quite an interesting thread. I have never heard that one is supposed to bow before the priest or a crucifix - are there Church documents which state that this is so, ie that this is required? Some posters have also mentioned that the priest is in persona Christi. At what point does this state begin - is it once the entrance procession starts, or is it when he begins the Mass with the sign of the cross?

I do know, however, that when my parents were growing up in 1960’s Ireland, it was commonplace for people to genuflect if a priest passed by them on the street. This was in case he was carrying the Body of Christ in the pyx. This is not something one would see nowadays- and I doubt that it’s a bad thing either, because I think many people and priests in Ireland at that time saw the genuflection as a sign of the power the priest held in society rather than what it was supposed to be - for Christ.

 

[Angel_Bradford]

I recently read that it is the custom in France to genuflect as the priest approaches the altar. The reasoning is that the priest approaching the altar is Christ approaching Calvary.

 

[mschrank]

Wow, I had no idea this was a Catholic thing. I was raised “high anglican” and they did this at their services (bowing to crucifix). I did not know Catholics were to do this as well.

 

[wafula]

hallow brethren,
Who is God to you? is he aloving father who can be aproached by you any time and he can listen to you than your priest?
Who is God to you? is he so scarery that you need other people and saints to pray for you because you cant reach him?
Then bowing before acrucifix or apriest, or abible etc in adoration and desire blessings from them is missing the big picture.Why should you embrace the shadow and neglect the object which is the reality? Jesus is whom you need to adore. you will be frustrated always coz you still dont believe that Jesus is more than achurch service or event, greater than baptism and sacrements, greater than saints, mary, pastors and priests etc but He is approachable and understanding than all of them even your best friend and relative.
As for me bro, when the priest etc passes by , idont need to bow to them for they are human and sinners like me and you but iwill embrace God for it is him that blesses not a crucifix or priest. John 5:36-44 read this verses silently and ask yourself, are you trusting God the creater or our church fathers the created? Jesus is simply saying IT IS ME YOU NEED TO ADORE AND BELIEVE IN Have that intimate fellowship with him (not sacraments, church traditions, priests, the bible etc though they are not to be neglected) it will satisfy you buddy. may the Lord open your spritual eyes,ears and heart to believe and understand these.
lastly bro, this things of bowing before priests and crucifx are not Gods command or word but mens tradition which jesus is warning people in the book of Mark 7:5-9. embrace God not gods.
whom so ever feels to question this or need more directions just email me , fwafula@hopefm.org God bless you

 

[wafula]

hallow brethren,
Who is God to you? is he aloving father who can be aproached by you any time and he can listen to you than your priest?
Who is God to you? is he so scarery that you need other people and saints to pray for you because you cant reach him?
Then bowing before acrucifix or apriest, or abible etc in adoration and desire blessings from them is missing the big picture.Why should you embrace the shadow and neglect the object which is the reality? Jesus is whom you need to adore. you will be frustrated always coz you still dont believe that Jesus is more than achurch service or event, greater than baptism and sacrements, greater than saints, mary, pastors and priests etc but He is approachable and understanding than all of them even your best friend and relative.
As for me bro, when the priest etc passes by , idont need to bow to them for they are human and sinners like me and you but iwill embrace God for it is him that blesses not a crucifix or priest. John 5:36-44 read this verses silently and ask yourself, are you trusting God the creater or our church fathers the created? Jesus is simply saying IT IS ME YOU NEED TO ADORE AND BELIEVE IN Have that intimate fellowship with him (not sacraments, church traditions, priests, the bible etc though they are not to be neglected) it will satisfy you buddy. may the Lord open your spritual eyes,ears and heart to believe and understand these.
lastly bro, this things of bowing before priests and crucifx are not Gods command or word but mens tradition which jesus is warning people in the book of Mark 7:5-9. embrace God not gods.
whom so ever feels to question this or need more directions just email me , fwafula@hopefm.org God bless you

 

[wifenmommy]

Come visit a traditional parish (and I don’t mean a TLM) in Louisiana and you will see it. I find that if a parish has a large number of adults over 50 you will see it but if it is young adults, you won’t.

Dh, I and dd make the Sign of the Cross as Father passes. I do see some do it , but not everyone. We do it out of respect for Father as Christ’s representative. (we are in Louisiana too! )

 

[KathleenElsie]

hallow brethren,
Who is God to you? is he aloving father who can be aproached by you any time and he can listen to you than your priest?
Who is God to you? is he so scarery that you need other people and saints to pray for you because you cant reach him?
Then bowing before acrucifix or apriest, or abible etc in adoration and desire blessings from them is missing the big picture.Why should you embrace the shadow and neglect the object which is the reality? Jesus is whom you need to adore. you will be frustrated always coz you still dont believe that Jesus is more than achurch service or event, greater than baptism and sacrements, greater than saints, mary, pastors and priests etc but He is approachable and understanding than all of them even your best friend and relative.
As for me bro, when the priest etc passes by , idont need to bow to them for they are human and sinners like me and you but iwill embrace God for it is him that blesses not a crucifix or priest. John 5:36-44 read this verses silently and ask yourself, are you trusting God the creater or our church fathers the created? Jesus is simply saying IT IS ME YOU NEED TO ADORE AND BELIEVE IN Have that intimate fellowship with him (not sacraments, church traditions, priests, the bible etc though they are not to be neglected) it will satisfy you buddy. may the Lord open your spritual eyes,ears and heart to believe and understand these.
lastly bro, this things of bowing before priests and crucifx are not Gods command or word but mens tradition which jesus is warning people in the book of Mark 7:5-9. embrace God not gods.
whom so ever feels to question this or need more directions just email me , fwafula@hopefm.org God bless you

Good try. But we have had many Protestants try to get us to go against Holy Mother Church and your post just won’t do it.

Oh. Welcome to CAF.