Do you genuflect?

[Susan_Calvin]

I’m not Catholic, but I started attending mass recently and I’ve never seen anyone in the parish not genuflect. Many also cross themselves at the same time. I’ve been “copying” them. One of the nuns who attends the early morning daily mass also told me recently that I should cross myself if walking by the church (not entering) to acknowledge the presence of Jesus in the tabernacle.

 

[Wampa]

I can’t tell what they were aware or unaware of, but it seems that they might have had the same kind of thought system that I had when I was a little girl - you see everyone genuflect towards the altar (even without the tabernacle) so you do the same, as it must be a sign of reverence to God. You know what the real presence is, but you don’t understand why you are actually genuflecting.

You make a good point. I need to make sure I don’t assume they don’t know about the real presence I guess the way they dress at this parish also feeds into my assumption that they don’t know, but again, they may just be copying everyone else and assuming that’s “normal”. Thanks for the perspective, I needed it

 

[brigid12]

Yes, having found where the tabernacle was I face it. I am not facing squarely to the altar when I do, however. I really wish they’d put the tabernacle back (at least near to the altar)!

 

[FromTheAshes777]

When entering the church I always look for the tabernacle and make sure that the Blessed Sacrament is there by looking for the sanctuary lamp/candle (I think that’s what it’s called) before I genuflect. If the tabernacle is in a seperate chapel and is not visible I simple bow to the altar before sitting.

Having said that I strongly prefer a parish that has the tabernacle (WITH the reserved Blessed Sacrament actually in it, sadly some have tabernacles around with no Blessed Sacrament in them) behind the altar, square and center where everyone can see it.

I’ve never understood why many don’t genuflect when the blessed sacrament is clearly there and present in the tabernacle before them. I’ve even seen some not genuflect when the Consecrated Host is exposed in the monstrance on the alter! They simply bow.

Now I know that some cannot physically genuflect for health reasons, but if you can do it then you should. The King of kings is there right before you, for you to worship and adore. I think genuflecting is a no brainer if we really think about how close to our Lord we are when He is there with us under the appearances of bread and wine.

 

[FromTheAshes777]

I’m not Catholic, but I started attending mass recently and I’ve never seen anyone in the parish not genuflect. Many also cross themselves at the same time. I’ve been “copying” them. One of the nuns who attends the early morning daily mass also told me recently that I should cross myself if walking by the church (not entering) to acknowledge the presence of Jesus in the tabernacle.

This is a great tradition I think. Crossing yourself and giving a slight bow when passing by a Catholic Church is a great way to always keep in mind the great gift of Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist.

 

[forever_always]

*My dh, kids, and I do…I have been noticing that people don’t really do this much anymore…back in Pittsburgh, it was very common. But, since moving to Florida, I only see a handful of people at mass genuflect before entering the pew. Just curious if this tradition is passing away–do you genuflect? I grew up doing this, so to me, it’s a sign of reverence before sitting in the pew, that’s all.

Just wondering if you do this yourself before and leaving mass. *

Yes, we genuflect before we enter the pew (knee touches the ground!) and then when we leave the pew. Before I recieve holy communion i also genuflect.

 

[jannekb]

Yes, we genuflect before we enter the pew (knee touches the ground!) and then when we leave the pew. Before I recieve holy communion i also genuflect.

I’ve noticed several commenters have indicated that they genuflect before receiving communion. When I went through RCIA in 2002 I was instructed NOT to genuflect before receiving communion in order to prevent accidents/lawsuits (i.e., someone tripping over someone else genuflecting while in line for communion). Has anyone else received this instruction? I try to make a quick bow while the person in front of me receives communion (because the line is stopped anyway), but this has never felt right or correct, and I would prefer to genuflect or make some other more appropriate sign of reverence.

 

[jmcrae]

I’ve noticed several commenters have indicated that they genuflect before receiving communion. When I went through RCIA in 2002 I was instructed NOT to genuflect before receiving communion in order to prevent accidents/lawsuits (i.e., someone tripping over someone else genuflecting while in line for communion). Has anyone else received this instruction? I try to make a quick bow while the person in front of me receives communion (because the line is stopped anyway), but this has never felt right or correct, and I would prefer to genuflect or make some other more appropriate sign of reverence.

It depends on how agile you are. I have a friend who can easily and quickly drop to her knees, receive Holy Communion, and then jump right back up again, so, it’s not a problem for her to do this every time she receives Holy Communion.

If I were to attempt the same thing, I’d probably fall over and then need help to get back up again, so it’s best for me to make a bow and remain standing.

 

[forever_always]

I’ve noticed several commenters have indicated that they genuflect before receiving communion. When I went through RCIA in 2002 I was instructed NOT to genuflect before receiving communion in order to prevent accidents/lawsuits (i.e., someone tripping over someone else genuflecting while in line for communion). Has anyone else received this instruction? I try to make a quick bow while the person in front of me receives communion (because the line is stopped anyway), but this has never felt right or correct, and I would prefer to genuflect or make some other more appropriate sign of reverence.

I have been told (when visiting a parish) that “you don’t need to kneel… that is an old fashioned thing”. But it is a sign of reverence! If someone is going to have an issue about falling over you as you genuflect, then maybe they should not stand so close!!

Really, however you want to show reverence is how you should do it. My family is just about the only family at our parish that genuflects before communion, and it has never caused an issue… noone has fallen over or tripped. One parish my fiance and I go to, nearly the whole church genuflects or recieves communion on their knees. I never heard of anything bad about it.

 

[nancy_dalrymple]

HI Whatevergirl!, I was taught when i was just a baby to do that and i came back to the church 8 weeks ago and went in with a scarf over my head and i bow on one knee and Bless myself before i get into the pew and before the statues and i dont see anyone do this I thought they stopped it but i still do it, I dant wear a scarf anymore it’s to hot and no one does. and the woman all wear pants even the eldrely.PS did you get my e-mail last night? Love of Christ Nancy

 

[FastLearner]

I have been told (when visiting a parish) that "you don’t need to kneel… that is an old fashioned thing

This is what I was told in CCD in the late 80’s. It took me more than a decade to learn the truth of genuflecting and to start doing it.

The only thing is that people look at me funny when I visit a new church and look around for the tabernacle / sanctuary lamp (to know whether to genuflect or bow). Some places really hide the tabernacle for some unknown reason.

 

[forever_always]

This is what I was told in CCD in the late 80’s. It took me more than a decade to learn the truth of genuflecting and to start doing it.

The only thing is that people look at me funny when I visit a new church and look around for the tabernacle / sanctuary lamp (to know whether to genuflect or bow). Some places really hide the tabernacle for some unknown reason.

It took me a while too!

People often will look at me funny too… even though I’m not doing anything wrong!