Do you ever genuflect in church?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hello
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I do because I’m a well-trained RCIA Catholic. 🙂 I don’t notice what other people do.
 
SeraficLeo said:
40.png
gracepoole:
genuflect to the pew.
Click to expand...
Whoops?

(Ten characters later)
Click to expand...
Yeah, I think instead of this being a “whoops,” they think they’re just supposed to kneel and make the Sign of the Cross. I don’t think they realize they’re supposed to being genuflecting toward the tabernacle at this point.
 
I’m 50. I only learned recently about 15 years ago what that meant. On our minds, on our lips and in our heart.

Genuflecting we learned in school. Sister had clackers that she clacked when we had to kneel and genuflect.

Granted I was a lapsed Catholic from my teens to my 30’s.
 
I always do, even if other people do not. It feels right to do it.
 
TheLittleLady said:
Now, I bow.
Click to expand...
I bow my head and cross myself. My knees can’t be counted on to get back up without painful effort. In the parish I usually attend, looking around at how others do it, there seems to be a fairly even mix of those who kneel and those who just cross themselves. But, as in your area, I’d have to say the great majority do something.
 
I believe the rubrics call for genuflecting to the Cross/Crucifix if it’s in view on Good Friday. Sadly, though, I see many folks genuflecting at pews when no tabernacle is present (or empty). It’s rather clearly a habitual movement they aren’t thinking about the meaning behind.
 
I genuflect at my church along with others that I’ve noticed. 👍
Sometimes it can be hard because I can get sore knees.
 
To be fair, I’ve travelled alot and sometimes been unsure where the tabernacle was located or if “the red light was on.” So I typically would genuflect and in mind being conscious of the presence of our Lord then sign myself. But genuflecting at the pew is a new one! Maybe kids or “newbies,” who saw us genuflecting and didn’t realize the intention was/is toward the Lord’s presence? Trying to give folks the benefit of the doubt
 
Last edited:
Every time I go in the pew. It used to be only when the tabernacle was in front, but now I have a particularly routine-loving toddler who doesn’t understand why mom skips the genuflection in some churches and he pitches a fit and tries to pull me down. So I just genuflect now. I hope God doesn’t mind. I’m sure the tabernacle is somewhere! I trust the genuflection gets transferred to the right place, haha.
 
I double genuflect as normally the Our Lord is in the Tabernacle on the alter.
 
Last edited:
Hello said:
As a child I was taught to genuflect when entering a pew.
Now it seems no one genuflects
Click to expand...
If the tabernacle is kept in a separate area, a bow is the appropriate gesture.

Otherwise, a person should genuflect if they are able.
 
OK so now I’m super confused after reading all these comments.

In our church the tabernacle is in a side chapel, not the sanctuary. But it’s all open plan with big gothic arches separating the different areas (no doors). So it depends where you are in the church as to whether you can see the tabernacle.

I was under the impression that you genuflect if you are passing in front of the tabernacle but if you are entering or leaving a pew you bow to the altar? That seems to be what the religious sisters do anyway.

I guess my question is should I be going to find the tabernacle before mass, genuflecting then finding a seat?
 
I genuflect entering and leaving the pew and crossing the tabernacle but I know what you mean. Many people have forgotten what to do and aren’t pulled up on it
 
Hello said:
As a child I was taught to genuflect when entering a pew.
Now it seems no one genuflects
Click to expand...
Yes I do. When entering and leaving the Church, when entering the Pew, when crossing in front of the Altar, when crossing in front of the Tabernacle.
 
You could, but you’re not obligated to go out of the way to genuflect before the tabernacle. If it’s in sight, genuflect; if not, bow to the altar.
OurLadyofSorrows said:
when crossing in front of the Altar, when crossing in front of the Tabernacle.
Click to expand...
Bow to the altar, genuflect when passing the tabernacle (unless the tabernacle is in the sanctuary and you’re passing during the middle of Mass, then bow at that time as well).
TheHolyTrinity said:
double genuflect as normally the Our Lord is in the Tabernacle on the alter.
Click to expand...
Single knee for our Lord’s Presence inside a tabernacle and both knees when exposed in a monstrance.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Nik
I do what my grandma did, I also cross myself when genuflecting with the Angelus.
All the genuflections are to the tabernacle or just the fact that Jesus is present everywhere in the Mass when we gather to pray.

I will always genuflect when crossing the Altar. Its a mark of worship to God and to the Eucharist that is confected there. It also venerates the remains of whichever saint is within the Altar.

During Adoration its both knees if getting out of the pew or into the pew or crossing the altar.
 
I’m just telling you the actual rubrics. I know a lot of grandmas and others that did their own thing. (And that’s not a criticism; just for the sake of anyone reading who truly doesn’t know and wishes to, there are prescribed actions.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nik
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top