Do you genuflect when you see the Blessed Sacrament on TV?

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Sixtus

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A lot of TV companies when they report on some Catholic issue or other or when they report something his Holiness has said or done, invariably show pictures of him [or other Bishops/Priests] elevating the Sacred Host or Challice.

Whenever I see the Blessed Sacrament on TV being elevated, I get out of my chair and genuflect.

Of course it could be said that I am not genuflecting to the Real Presence but a radio signal representing the Real Presence. But I am not genuflecting to the radio signal or an image, but that which it represents.

When I see the Blessed Sacrament I feel present in Spirit and if I am there then my place is not in the comfort of my armchair but on my knees in adoration mindful that there is my God.

I am interested to hear if others do likewise 🙂
 
no I do not, because I am not in the presence of Christ, any more than when I watch a televised Mass am I present, and therefore fulfilling my obligation.
 
Sixtus said:
A lot of TV companies when they report on some Catholic issue or other or when they report something his Holiness has said or done, invariably show pictures of him [or other Bishops/Priests] elevating the Sacred Host or Challice.

Whenever I see the Blessed Sacrament on TV being elevated, I get out of my chair and genuflect.

Of course it could be said that I am not genuflecting to the Real Presence but a radio signal representing the Real Presence. But I am not genuflecting to the radio signal or an image, but that which it represents.

When I see the Blessed Sacrament I feel present in Spirit and if I am there then my place is not in the comfort of my armchair but on my knees in adoration mindful that there is my God.

I am interested to hear if others do likewise 🙂
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Interesting question, thank you for asking it.

I actually spoke with a guest on Mother Angelica Live years ago about this, a priest, however his name escapes me right now.

Actually my question was regarding the proper respect to be given to the Consecration of the televised Mass.

The response made a lot of sense: If the Mass is LIVE, then proper worship is due. They explained that with live broadcasts we are present at the time of the Consecration.

This is demonstrated by the use of large screens at the Vatican when the crowd is assisted in viewing what they could not see otherwise.

In a re-broadcast it is NOT required, if I remember correctly, I believe it is discouraged, as it is just a photograph/film representation at that point.

One more interesting fact I learned that evening, when a blessing is given on a live show, it is applied to all watching, however that is not true on the replay.

I have always aired on the side of respect for The Most
Blessed Sacrament, if I do not know for a fact it is a replay, I would rather kneel for the Consecration then continue to do what I am doing. I know the Mass is live at 8am EDT.

The same is true for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There is a live 24/7 feed on the net, if you are on that site, then it is proper to give worship, the same as would be in the chapel itself.

Nice question, again thank you for asking!

Theresa
 
Sixtus said:
A lot of TV companies when they report on some Catholic issue or other or when they report something his Holiness has said or done, invariably show pictures of him [or other Bishops/Priests] elevating the Sacred Host or Challice.

Whenever I see the Blessed Sacrament on TV being elevated, I get out of my chair and genuflect.

Of course it could be said that I am not genuflecting to the Real Presence but a radio signal representing the Real Presence. But I am not genuflecting to the radio signal or an image, but that which it represents.

When I see the Blessed Sacrament I feel present in Spirit and if I am there then my place is not in the comfort of my armchair but on my knees in adoration mindful that there is my God.

I am interested to hear if others do likewise 🙂
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No, I don’t, nor would I. Simply the image is not the Real Presence. Now I do stop whatever I’m doing when I hear the words of Consecration on TV or Radio and pause.
 
To me that sounds like worshiping an image. Would you genuflect to a picture on the wall that contained a host?
 
SuscipeMeDomine
To me that sounds like worshiping an image. Would you genuflect to a picture on the wall that contained a host?
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No because it never was a Host. The image on TV is what happened when God was present. The image I see was when it was enacted: God!
 
I always kneel at the consecration during a televised Mass. It has nothing to do with idol or image worship, just respect for the real presence of Our Lord. He can read my heart and knows that I am doing it out of respect for Him.

God Bless,
Gary
 
Many homebound individuals who cannot make it to Church follow the Mass on EWTN as if they were present. This is acceptable and it is truly Our Lord Jesus in the Euchrist. They are fulfilling their obligation to sunday Mass.

If I am watching the Mass on tv from beginning to end I will genuflect because I am participating and should show reverence to Our Lord - tevevision or not.
 
SORROWS said:
Many homebound individuals who cannot make it to Church follow the Mass on EWTN as if they were present. This is acceptable and it is truly Our Lord Jesus in the Euchrist. They are fulfilling their obligation to sunday Mass.
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Just to be clear, watching Mass on TV does not fulfill your obligation to attend Mass.

The folks at EWTN are quite clear about this.

From Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL: “No. Watching Mass on TV (including on EWTN) does not replace participation at Mass while present in church as required on Sundays and other holy days of obligation.”

Another from Fr. Gantley: TV Mass is a nice devotion and many people benefit from it, especially those who are sick or shut in. However, there is never an obligation to watch Mass on TV, and it does not fulfill any obligation.

And a third: No, Mass on TV never satisfies the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday or other holy day of obligation. One is obligated to attend Mass in person.
 
Sorrows
If I am watching the Mass on tv from beginning to end I will genuflect because I am participating and should show reverence to Our Lord - tevevision or not.
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AMEN 👍
 
Quote (Originally by puzzleannie)—
no I do not, because I am not in the presence of Christ
—End Quote—
So you do not believe Christ is present within you as promised?
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Not in His presence?
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Wow.
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Are we not forgetting one small detail, so small infact that I am embarrassed to mention it: God exists not only in time but also in eternity, that implcates the concept of ‘eternal presence’! 🙂
 
Atemi said:
So you do not believe Christ is present within you as promised?

Not in His presence?

Wow.
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How about not directly in His presence. I can see where if it is a Live broadcast, it would be suitable to kneel/genuflect, but not an Encore.
 
Sixtus said:
A lot of TV companies when they report on some Catholic issue or other or when they report something his Holiness has said or done, invariably show pictures of him [or other Bishops/Priests] elevating the Sacred Host or Challice.

Whenever I see the Blessed Sacrament on TV being elevated, I get out of my chair and genuflect.

Of course it could be said that I am not genuflecting to the Real Presence but a radio signal representing the Real Presence. But I am not genuflecting to the radio signal or an image, but that which it represents.

When I see the Blessed Sacrament I feel present in Spirit and if I am there then my place is not in the comfort of my armchair but on my knees in adoration mindful that there is my God.

I am interested to hear if others do likewise 🙂
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No, I do not. I do bow my head when I drive past a Catholic Church knowing that Christ is present there. Never really thought about it before, but to me, somehow it doesn’t seem that the image on my television is the True Presence. I have never been inclined to genuflect when I see a photo of the Holy Eucharist and I guess this is the same as the Holy Eucharist on television.

Interesting question.
 
So to those who do not genuflect, bow or acknowlege, when you see the Priest, or Pope elevate the Sacred Elements, what do you think?

Do you think ‘Oh its an empty challice’ or ‘It is just an unconsecreated wafer’ or do you not think of it as ‘The Sacred Elements’ or do you just not think about anything?

I ask because I am curious to know how the event affects folk. I find it a very emotional experience, just as in a ‘live’ Mass. I am really moved. How does it affect you?
 
Lets see:

I do the Sign of the Cross and prayer for the dead when passing grave yards, passing funeral homes, a hearse etc.

I bow when the Crucifix/Corpus is carried into and out of Mass. We have a Risen Christ over the Alter.

When the name of Jesus is invoked I do a slight bow. If someone curses I Cross myself is I can (work makes this difficult) at the time of say the Glory Be silently.

But I do not genuflect to movies or photos.
 
Kathlieen Elsie posted:
do the Sign of the Cross and prayer for the dead when passing grave yards, passing funeral homes, a hearse etc.
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I make the sign of the cross on my forehead when I pass a funeral parlour or see a hearse, praying for the soul of the person it last carried is carrying and/or will carry next.

I also pray when I see any emergency service vehicle, ditto anyone who gives way to me when I am in my car.

When the Lord’s name is taken in vain. I used to challenge and ask them if they were looking for a fight, but found that was counter-productive. So now bit my tongue, count to 10 and say a prayer for them.

I do not genuflect to photo’s but if his holiness is on TV or there is a news report of a Mass, when the Host or Challice is elevated, I get onto my knees, even if it is an Anglican/Lutheran Service. Who am I to judge the validity of Orders. 🙂
 
Sixtus said:
So to those who do not genuflect, bow or acknowlege, when you see the Priest, or Pope elevate the Sacred Elements, what do you think?

?
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I think I am watching the celebration of Mass in another place, most likely pre-recorded, in either case I am not present at the celebration. It does however recall that all the sacrifices of all the Masses on all the altars of the world throughout time sanctify it and make Christ present in it, and that is miracle enough to rejoice in, until the next time I can be physically as well as spiritually present. In general I am not at a state in my life where I have emotional reactions to such things, and when I do contemplate them it is at a more contemplative less reactive level.
 
ouzzleane posted:
I am not at a state in my life where I have emotional reactions to such things, and when I do contemplate them it is at a more contemplative less reactive level.
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Wow do I envy you [not in a sinful way 😛 ]

I am supposed to be big and tough due to the job that I do. So when I am standing there in the pew snivelling and sobbing with my face flooded with water [not every time] I feel a real burk. I feel really foolish. But just cannot help the emotive feelings from the Consecration and distribution. Wow is sooooooo powerful.

Wish I could get a grip on my emotions and just act my age and not my shoe size :rolleyes:
 
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