Church Etiquette.

[marcaevans]

Hi I have a few questions about the etiquette of the Roman Catholic Church. I am not yet confirmed, been attending mass for about a week now (been four times)

I know that since I am not yet confirmed I should not be taking Communion and I have refrained from this. The question I would like to ask is about bowing and making the sign of the cross when entering the church. Would it be considered sacrilegious if I was to bow to the Altar when entering the Church and the same with making the sign of the cross, not only when entering but during mass when others make the sign of the cross.

I have not had an opportunity to ask my Priest about this so decided to get an answer on here. I sort of get the sense from people that I am being sacrilegious by not bowing and making the sign of the cross. Im not intentionally trying to offend anyone especially not Christ I am still new and trying to learn from people as time goes on.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

First off, Catholics should bow to the tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament is, not to the altar. Although you’ll see many bow to the altar when they enter the church, this is incorrect.

As for yourself, you can bow to Jesus and express your faith in the Holy Trinity by making the sign of the cross, in fact I would encourage you to continue.

FYI, the Tabernacle will always have a sanctuary lamp burning at all times. Just look for it and that is where Jesus is. Genuflect to Him, not the altar, when entering the church.

Jim

 

[Ad_Orientem]

It’s not sacrilegious at all. God is honored by our adoration whether we are confirmed or not.

 

[Aeden]

Of course you can. It is not remotely sacrilegious to give adoration and respect to God.

 

[Morwenna]

First off, Catholics should bow to the tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament is, not to the altar. Although you’ll see many bow to the altar when they enter the church, this is incorrect.

I was taught differently in RCIA. The instructors told us:

• If the Tabernacle is visible, we should **genuflect **toward it. If one is not able to genuflect, then one may bow instead.
• If the Tabernacle is **not **visible (e.g., in a side chapel), then we should **bow **toward the altar instead (not genuflect, but bow).

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I was taught differently in RCIA. The instructors told us:

• If the Tabernacle is visible, we should **genuflect **toward it. If one is not able to genuflect, then one may bow instead.
• If the Tabernacle is **not **visible (e.g., in a side chapel), then we should **bow **toward the altar instead (not genuflect, but bow).

True.

The point I was making is that many Catholics genuflect or bow toward the altar, or even the Crucifix, even when the tabernacle is in view in a prominent place.

Jim

 

[Catholic1954]

Hi I have a few questions about the etiquette of the Roman Catholic Church. I am not yet confirmed, been attending mass for about a week now (been four times)

I know that since I am not yet confirmed I should not be taking Communion and I have refrained from this. The question I would like to ask is about bowing and making the sign of the cross when entering the church. Would it be considered sacrilegious if I was to bow to the Altar when entering the Church and the same with making the sign of the cross, not only when entering but during mass when others make the sign of the cross.

I have not had an opportunity to ask my Priest about this so decided to get an answer on here. I sort of get the sense from people that I am being sacrilegious by not bowing and making the sign of the cross. Im not intentionally trying to offend anyone especially not Christ I am still new and trying to learn from people as time goes on.

When you are at Mass, you can do everything everyone else does but receive Communion.

 

[marcaevans]

Thank you all, I have Mass again in the morning so this has been a real help.

 

[Diana_Catherine]

I was taught differently in RCIA. The instructors told us:

• If the Tabernacle is visible, we should **genuflect **toward it. If one is not able to genuflect, then one may bow instead.
• If the Tabernacle is **not **visible (e.g., in a side chapel), then we should **bow **toward the altar instead (not genuflect, but bow).

That is what was taught also. I do think some get confused and I do see many young and old not genuflecting anymore but bowing instead to the tabernacle.

I was told once, I think I read it here, that when we genuflect to the tabernacle we are, besides expressing our devotion to Jesus, but making reparation for the offenses committed against him and today that is something that is seriously going on.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

That is what was taught also. I do think some get confused and I do see many young and old not genuflecting anymore but bowing instead to the tabernacle.

I was told once, I think I read it here, that when we genuflect to the tabernacle we are, besides expressing our devotion to Jesus, but making reparation for the offenses committed against him and today that is something that is seriously going on.

I know of some people, including my pastor, who cannot genuflect because of knee problems. For that reason, he bows instead. He even does this at Mass, which is why he explained it to us when he first got here so people didn’t wonder why he failed to genuflect during Mass. He said that if he got down on his knees he couldn’t get back up.

Maybe those who are able to genuflect but don’t, were not taught the correct way?

Alan

 

[mikeeh]

Would it be considered sacrilegious if I was to bow to the Altar when entering the Church and the same with making the sign of the cross, not only when entering but during mass when others make the sign of the cross.

It’s perfectly fine to bow to the altar. The altar represents the sacrifice of Christ, the altar on which he gave his life for us. In other words the altar is Christ. My priest, deacon, and the ministers of the word at my church will only bow to the altar when passing in between the tabernacle and the altar. This is because during the Mass we will be celebrating the consecration of the Eucharist at the altar. It is also fine to bow more than needed if you feel compelled to do so during Mass.

At my church the tabernacle is behind the altar. When I’m in my church I bow whenever I have a direct path in front of me leading to the altar/tabernacle. Whenever I enter the sanctuary (the area around the altar) I genuflect. Back when the tabernacle was to the side of the altar in a private room I would bow to the altar when in the sanctuary then turn to genuflect to the tabernacle. During the Mass if for some reason you have to pass through the sanctuary, you only have to bow because Mass is taking place so the focus is on the altar. You do not have to bow to the altar when Holy Communion is being served. At this point you bow to the Eucharist right before you receive him.

www1.georgetown.edu/centers/liturgy/envisionchurch/33772.html
catholic.com/quickquestions/should-i-bow-to-the-altar-or-genuflect-to-the-tabernacle

 

[Diana_Catherine]

I know of some people, including my pastor, who cannot genuflect because of knee problems. For that reason, he bows instead. He even does this at Mass, which is why he explained it to us when he first got here so people didn’t wonder why he failed to genuflect during Mass. He said that if he got down on his knees he couldn’t get back up.

Maybe those who are able to genuflect but don’t, were not taught the correct way?

Alan

I totally understand that there are those that have knee problems and it is hard to genuflect but I do see a trend at least in certain parishes toward not genuflecting but bowing instead.

And true there are those who probably weren’t taught to genuflect. A good reason why those who do know to genuflect and can genuflect, do genuflect to witness to those who don’t know.

 

[fred_conty]

Marcaevans,

You may make this Spiritual Communion Prayer when others are going to communion.

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You