Bowing Your Head at the Mention of the Name of Jesus

[CatholicFireman]

was raised this way, have been doing it for over 60 years. Watch old videos on EWTN of Fr. Peyton with people doing this as they recite the rosary. Also cross myself when passing a church. It is not a “parish” tradition it is a Catholic tradition. Ridicule is fine, bring it on, anything especially these quiet gestures that emphasizes our Catholic identity is a powerful witness.

Funny you should mention this. I never knew about crossing yourself when passing a church, but I nod or bow my head because I know Christ is in the tabernacle. I also nod to statues of Our Lady (saw Bing Crosby do it…actually tipped his hat…in a movie and thought…perfect. ).

Does anyone know of crossing yourself at “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”? My daughter started doing it when she started attending a tradional Catholic school and I saw a few priests/parishners doing it also.

 

[TrueLight]

And according to Fortescue, O’Connell, et al., there are actually two kinds of head bows, slight and moderate. The moderate bow is used for the Holy Name of Our Lord and of the mention of the Three Divine Persns of the Holy Trinity. The slight bow is used for Our Lady and the saint of the day and, according to some sources, during liturgical mention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

I never heard about nodding at the mention of the trinity. Do you make the sign of the cross whenever the trinity is mentioned?

 

[TrueLight]

was raised this way, have been doing it for over 60 years. Watch old videos on EWTN of Fr. Peyton with people doing this as they recite the rosary. Also cross myself when passing a church. It is not a “parish” tradition it is a Catholic tradition.

That’s why I ressurrected the thread, I’m trying to find out, whether it is Catholic tradition or whether there is actually some law or GIRM directive to do this.

 

[halleone]

was raised this way, have been doing it for over 60 years. Watch old videos on EWTN of Fr. Peyton with people doing this as they recite the rosary. Also cross myself when passing a church. It is not a “parish” tradition it is a Catholic tradition. Ridicule is fine, bring it on, anything especially these quiet gestures that emphasizes our Catholic identity is a powerful witness.

Yup, we were taught from the first grade to bow our heads at the name of Jesus (back in the 50’s); I had completely forgotten about the crossing oneself when passing a church, but you’re right. I will now remember to do so! Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Chatter163]

Question about bowing one’s head at the EF Mass and the OF mass.

I read somewhere (can’t remember where) that only the person saying “Jesus” should bow or maybe the servers but not everyone.

Is that correct? Is it different for the OF versus the EF?

Thanks.

The EF never really gave rubrics for the people. They tended to follow the postures of those in choir. The OF presumably speaks to the congregation, as well, when it explains the bows to be made. See post #17 in this thread.

I never heard about nodding at the mention of the trinity. Do you make the sign of the cross whenever the trinity is mentioned?

No, just bow, as mentioned in the rubrics cited in post #17. This means a reference to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and not merely the word Trinity.

Does anyone know of crossing yourself at “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”? My daughter started doing it when she started attending a tradional Catholic school and I saw a few priests/parishners doing it also.

This was/is in the EF missal, again for the priest, and the people typically followed suit. High Anglicans adopted this practice, as well.

 

[TrueLight]

No, just bow, as mentioned in the rubrics cited in post #17. This means a reference to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and not merely the word Trinity.

Yes, I know it is not at the mention of the word “Trinity”, but I didn’t realize there was a bow.

Thanks for reminding me of post 17 though. That was a long time ago. Going to read it again.

 

[TrueLight]

(Eastern Catholics usually cross ourselves as well as bow at the mention of the Mother of God, Christ our Lord, the Holy Trinity, and the Saint whose Feast Day it is. Often we also Reverence at the mention of the Holy Trinity, that is after crossing ourselves reach down and touch the ground. This all occurs dozens and dozens of times in a Divine Liturgy. We often cross ourselves and bow when the petitions are made–there are long litanies of petitions in the DL. I’m hard wired to do this so I tend to cross myself when the Holy Trinity is mentioned wherever I am.)

I experienced this when I went to visit an Orthodox church recently. I did try to keep us as well as cross from right to left.

IV. Some General Norms for All Forms of Mass, Genuflections and Bows
#275. 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.
§1. 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.
§ 2. 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.

Wow. That’s a lot of bowing to remember.

 

[mullenpm]

Puzzleannie, I agree with you. I was taught by the Nuns in a Catholic grammar school over 75 years ago to always nod my head at the name of Jesus and I do that to this day whether in private or not; saying the Rosary, just a short ejaculation; or even if I just think the name of Jesus. I do not look to see if others do it at Mass; and I certainly do not think about ridicule.

Why would anyone worry about ridicule?

We were not taught to nod or bow when the name of the Blessed Virgin is mentioned; but, I do see on EWTN that the Brothers do bow at the name of Mary.

:harp::heaven:

 

[TrueLight]

I do not look to see if others do it at Mass; and I certainly do not think about ridicule.

Why would anyone worry about ridicule?

It’s good to know what the conventions are. There is no reason to be the sole person sticking out.

I an OF mass a couple of weeks ago because I could not go to my regular mass and it was my understanding that in an OF mass you kneel after the Sanctus.

Well, I kneeled and no one else did. They kneeled later at the “Lamb of God…”.

So if I were regularly attending that mass, I probably would do it as they did.

 

[CatholicFireman]

This was/is in the EF missal, again for the priest, and the people typically followed suit. High Anglicans adopted this practice, as well.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Alexander_Roman]

If you are calling someone named Jesus, you use his name.
Of course.

The cultural traditions in this regard are most interesting! In the Greek tradition, while the Name of Jesus would never be used as a personal name, “Chrestos” would be and there are some saints with that name (Including a Greek Orthodox priest who was whipped, crowned with thorns and nailed to a cross by the Turks on a Good Friday in the 19th century).

In the East Slavic tradition, “Mary” when this name refers to the Mother of God, is never given to girls as a personal name (it would have to be another “St Mary.”)

Alex

 

[lizaanne]

At our parish those who are serving at the altar do this. The priests and deacons, and sub-deacons, will also remove their biretta at the name of Jesus. In the congregation, some do, some don’t. Our priests also do a very tiny nod when speaking the name of Jesus during the homily. I’ve also seen them do it in casual conversation. We are very blessed to have good holy priests.

~Liza

 

[Monica4316]

I have been to some masses where the priest and congregants bow their heads when the name of Jesus is mentioned in the Liturgy. I find it to be a beautiful tradition, but I don’t see it done everywhere.

Does your parish observe that tradition?

Also, do you bow your head outside of mass when someone mentions Jesus? Obviously in a more subtle way, otherwise you open yourself up to ridicule.

Thanks.

People at the FSSP parish I’ve attended used to do this… it’s not done at my present home parish (it’s Novus Ordo and quite modern), and I don’t know anyone who does it, but I’d like to

 

[cothrige]

This was/is in the EF missal, again for the priest, and the people typically followed suit. High Anglicans adopted this practice, as well.

Funny. I was raised Anglican, (high church), and we made the Sign of the Cross at this point of the Mass, and I also did it for years as a Catholic after coming to the Church. However, I read or was told somewhere that it was improper and so finally managed to break the habit and quit doing it. Took a lot of work too, and at times I can still accidentally do it if I am not being very carefully conscious of myself.

I carried several habits over from the Anglican tradition which are seemingly frowned on in Catholic churches. Most I still do, though this one I managed to break. We also bow our heads as the cross is carried by before and after Mass. Additionally we genuflect to the tabernacle as we walk through the church. Even though these are not done in Catholic churches I don’t think I could or would stop doing them.

 

[CatholicFireman]

Most people in my parish genuflect when passing the tabernacle. I’ve always seen it growing up. As for crossing yourself, friend, you shouldn’t have to break yourself of doing it. I think it’s a wonderful gesture.

Pax†

 

[cothrige]

Most people in my parish genuflect when passing the tabernacle. I’ve always seen it growing up.

It is actually very nice to hear that some people somewhere do that. I feel less odd now. Unfortunately, at our parish nobody genuflects ever, though some bow to the altar which is next to the tabernacle. I find that odd. Equally odd is the church I went to some time back in which the priest and people genuflected to the tabernacle when they crossed the sanctuary, but the same people didn’t when they crossed the church through the nave. I found that odd too, as if the tabernacle only applied if you were behind the altar, but not for anywhere else in the church. Needless to say I have retained the Anglican method in which we genuflected to the tabernacle every time we crossed the middle of the Church, regardless of how far we were away from it. It somehow seems strange that such a fallen church as the Episcopal Church could show up Catholics in respect shown towards the Blessed Sacrament.

As for crossing yourself, friend, you shouldn’t have to break yourself of doing it. I think it’s a wonderful gesture.

Pax†

Yes, you are right, but at the time I had been informed by somebody that it was not a correct gesture. I believed them and so stopped doing it.

 

[xixxvmcm85]

I bow my head at the mention of Jesus, Mary, or the Saint in whose honor the Mass is held. It’s just a slight nod, not a “profound bow”. I actually had a woman who apparently frequents the pew behind the one I frequent approach me after Mass last Sunday. She instructed that I go see a doctor ASAP as I seem to be having some chronic neck problems.

I actually have my own question about this. Whenever I have the time to spare I take a train across the bay over to Oakland to visit St. Margaret Mary’s Church which hosts the Institute of Christ the King and get my fix of the traditional Mass. While I’m there I notice that bowing one’s head is also customary at the mention of the three persons of the Trinity. Was this a norm back in the day or simply a pious custom evolving within this parish?

 

[Mens_Integra]

Having become connected with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), I acquired the habit of bowing at the mention of the Holy Name some years ago. Some other members mentioned a sense of peace in worshiping God in this manner; I am also inclined to experience a sense of delight in such a small gesture towards Our Lord. It makes one extremely conscious of the use of the Holy Name and reminds us of its power. Names, in the modern era, do not recall to mind special mysteries, as they ought to. Forming a habit of bodily reverence helps to recall such sacredness, and it also reminds us of St. John’s beautiful words: Illum oportet crescere, me autem minui . . . He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30).

I also bow my head more slightly at the names of Mary, the Saint whose feast is celebrated on the given day, and the name of the Holy Father.

 

[jannypan]

That’s how I prefer to be; now, in that standing position it is easy to bow. Whenever our Lord’s Holy Name is recited (i.e. “through Christ our Lord” or “in Jesus’ Name”), I incline my upper body about 45 degrees, my head bowed into my chest. This is a liturgical action which priests used to be directed to do in Mass before 1969, and I feel at great peace worshiping our Lord this way.Buy Runescape Gold
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[CatholicFireman]

It is actually very nice to hear that some people somewhere do that. I feel less odd now. Unfortunately, at our parish nobody genuflects ever, though some bow to the altar which is next to the tabernacle. I find that odd. Equally odd is the church I went to some time back in which the priest and people genuflected to the tabernacle when they crossed the sanctuary, but the same people didn’t when they crossed the church through the nave. I found that odd too, as if the tabernacle only applied if you were behind the altar, but not for anywhere else in the church. Needless to say I have retained the Anglican method in which we genuflected to the tabernacle every time we crossed the middle of the Church, regardless of how far we were away from it. It somehow seems strange that such a fallen church as the Episcopal Church could show up Catholics in respect shown towards the Blessed Sacrament.

I have to admit I was (and sometimes am) one of those guilty parties. Now I feel funny if at least I don’t nod when passing in the narthex. In fact, in the new church, the chaple is behind the main alter facing to the rear of the building so if you are outside you are even closer to* that *tabernacle than the one in the main church.

As far as that person telling you not to cross yourself…well…I’ll bite my tongue on that one because it might start yet another off-topic debate in here.