Do you bow your head at the part in the Nicene Creed?

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As far as I can tell I’m the only one that bow their head. Even the Priests doesn’t. My problem is I don’t read the Creed I say it from memory and some times

by the power of the Holy Spirit
He became man and was born of the Virgin Mary
***gets by so I have to say not every time but I try. :o ***
 
My husband purchased a copy of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and it has really helped us and our parish out! Reading it will tell you everything you need to know about proper practice during mass…and more!
I think it should be read by more priests! We have attended masses at many different churches and have found that a lot of priests don’t follow the GIRM…!!!
~Weezir

We do profoundly bow during the Nicene Creed.
 
A convert from high church Episcopalialand, I find myself having to hold my arms stiffly at my side during Mass to stop doing the automatic gestures I was taught as a child. I just watch those around me to determine what’s proper. . .

I was taught at every Trinitarian reference to cross myself.

Every time I leave the pew when the Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle before me, to genuflect and make the sign of the cross.

To genuflect at the reference to the incarnation at the Creed.

To genuflect in the Gospel reading at Christmas “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”

How much of that kind of thing is OK during Mass, and how much is no longer allowed? (As a kid (in the 60’s) I saw similar gestures when visiting friends’ Catholic churches)
 
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Annunciata:
I’m for that…if you think about it, that is really the Incarnation… I heard one of the pro-life priests say that in a homily once. 🙂
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Um… I’m confused. Did you say that there are some “pro-life” priests (implying that there are some priests that are not “pro-life”)?

Or… are you talking about a priest whose specific mission is working on the pro-life effort?

Thanks!
 
I voted “yes always” because it’s the closest to the correct answer for what it is that I do.

Our Archbishop put out that everyone in our archdiocese is to make a profound bow at that point of the Creed.

“He was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of Virgin Mary and was made man”

Before then, folks (including me) did not even bow our head at that point.

Although, I remember, growing up in pre-Vatican II times, that we genuflected at that point.

I rather like making that profound bow. It’s like the exlamation mark in the middle of the creed!

:o
 
Interesting thread/poll.

I have to be honest and say it depends in which Church I am.

Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t - the difference beween East and West really
 
John M:
Technically, it should be a profound bow (GIRM 137). It represents God lowering himself to become human.
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What is the difference between a bow and a profound bow?
 
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squirt:
Catholic trivia: In Canada, the Nicene Creed is rarely used … we generally recite the Apostle’s Creed.
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I envy you. I much prefer the Apostles Creed. It is easier to understand and what I was raised on as a child although I was in my very early teens when the change was made. Here’s an interesting question: Which Creed do you recite at the beginning of the Rosary? I think it is still supposed to be the Apostles Creed.
 
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Audrey:
What is the difference between a bow and a profound bow?
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A profound bow is when you bow so low your forehead touches the shoes of the person in the pew behind you.

No seriously, I have no idea. At this part of the Creed I just give a small bow from the waist, about as deep as the priest does. The point is to show some reverence, so bow as much as you want and don’t be scrupulous about it.
 
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Audrey:
I envy you. I much prefer the Apostles Creed. It is easier to understand and what I was raised on as a child although I was in my very early teens when the change was made. Here’s an interesting question: Which Creed do you recite at the beginning of the Rosary? I think it is still supposed to be the Apostles Creed.
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I probably should have qualified my original post: Roman Catholics generally use the Apostle’s creed at Mass in Canada. Canadian Maronite Catholics use the Nicene creed. I don’t know about other Catholics …

As for the Rosary, I’ve only ever heard the Apostle’s creed at the beginning.
 
Nicene creed is to be said at EVERY sunday Mass (it hits every major point of our faith and does away with many heresies) apostles creed is for certain holy days and during the rosary and chaplet of divine mercy etc. I hope this helps!

I bow my head were it says

By the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary and became Man.

Thats how my parish was taught.
So yes Ido .
 
Pro Iesu:
Nicene creed is to be said at EVERY sunday Mass
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That just ain’t correct. Some countries, with the approval of the Holy See, use the Apostles’ creed at most Sunday Masses.

addendum: apparently the 3rd edition of the Roman Missal grants a universal permission for use of the Apostles’ creed.
 
Veronica Anne:
Um… I’m confused. Did you say that there are some “pro-life” priests (implying that there are some priests that are not “pro-life”)?

Or… are you talking about a priest whose specific mission is working on the pro-life effort?

Thanks!
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Sorry, I meant to say a member of Priests For Life…I think it was Fr. Frank Pavone, If my memory serves me… Annunciata:)
 
Yes, always. We used to kneel at this in the church I attended when I first converted over 20 years ago. Our pastor has recently announced this from the pulpit and he himself always bows deeply, I think as an example for those who may not have noticed the new GIRM rule (which is really an old one, right?).

We also kneel completely down during the Angelus when we get to “And the Word was made flesh… and dwelt among us”. I am blessed to get to teach that prayer to my classes at our school, and when the nuns’ bells go off at noon, we drop whatever we are doing and say it, (yes even tests :rolleyes: ) complete with the kneeling, before we have lunchtime meal prayers.
 
The following instruction was given at our parish last advent:

“In the Creed we are invited to bow at the words which commemorate the Incarnation: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man. This gesture signifies our profound respect and gratitude to Christ who, though God, did not hesitate to come among us as a human being, sharing our human condition in order to save us from sin and restore us to friendship with God. This gratitude is expressed with even greater solemnity on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord and on Christmas when we genuflect at these words.”

The pastor announced that it would surely take a few weeks for everyone to get used to the changes. It seemed like we all tried hard for 2-3 weeks, then everyone, including the pastor, stopped bowing their heads at the prescribed parts of the Nicene Creed. :confused: There was never any announcement made about a change of protocol, so I’m still confused. Also, still bowing my head. :gopray:
 
Actually, I bow from the waist – that’s what I was taught was instructed.
 
i answered “yes, always.” But, prior to meeting my husband, i honestly didn’t know about it. I went to Catholic School all of my life ( K - College ), and my family is very devout. I just didn’t know.

Now I know, and now I do.
 
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