Do you genuflect?

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whatevergirl said:
*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. *
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Only when the tabernacle is present and in view.
 
Yes, I genuflect when first entering the pew and when leaving mass. But, when going to communion, I don’t. I was never taught to do that, and in all the churches I have been do, I don’t recall people genuflecting when leaving the pew for communion. Has anyone else noticed this?

As far as getting run over when leaving mass, I usually sit on the end of the pew (on the side where the pew touches the main isle). When I genuflect, I have one leg out, but mostly in the pew as to not get run over…
 
Yes-on one knee when the Euchrist is in the tablernacle, Both Knees when the Eucahrist is on the altar for adoration.
 
I genuflect whenever I enter or exit a pew. I have done this since I can remember. I was not aware that you did not have to genuflect if the tabernacle was not on the main alter. Ours is not and I still genuflect before the Crucifix. I guess I am to old to break the habit now. I would feel weird if I din’t genuflect, it would be like skipping the Holy Water upon entering the church.

God Bless!
 
whatevergirl said:
*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. *
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Yes, at my church there are very few people that don’t genuflect. I also genuflect as a sign of reverence towards the Tabernackle when I enter the church then when I get to my row or pew I genuflect again towards the tabernackle. So, many people in my church genuflect towards the alter and that is not where our tabernackle is so it drives me crazy that they do that. Then of course to change the subject a little I also bow before receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. 😃
 
thevickinator16 said:
I genuflect whenever I enter or exit a pew. I have done this since I can remember. I was not aware that you did not have to genuflect if the tabernacle was not on the main alter. Ours is not and I still genuflect before the Crucifix. I guess I am to old to break the habit now. I would feel weird if I din’t genuflect, it would be like skipping the Holy Water upon entering the church.

God Bless!
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*I thought the same thing, back in PA, the tabernacle was sort of off to the left…but everyone still genuflected before entering and leaving the pews. I agree, it is an ingrained habit, but a very beautiful and reverent one.

My dd says that she had her ccd nun back in PA tell her…‘keep your tabernacle clean.’ (she was referring to her heart and soul, as being a metaphoric tabernacle, I always liked that) :o*
 
After seeing this thread, I paid more attention to what people do when I went to church tonight. Most people genuflect, but most do not make the sign of the cross when doing so. I was taught that when I was young and have always done that. Just wondering if most people here do or do not make the sign of the cross when genuflecting?
 
regression said:
After seeing this thread, I paid more attention to what people do when I went to church tonight. Most people genuflect, but most do not make the sign of the cross when doing so. I was taught that when I was young and have always done that. Just wondering if most people here do or do not make the sign of the cross when genuflecting?
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***My dh, kids and I do both…that’s intiguing that you mention that, I’ll be interested in the replies back. ***
 
Is the tabernacle present in the church or is it in another chapel? If it is not in the main part of the church, people do not need to genuflect–you would just bow toward the altar. In order to avoid being stampeded try to sit near the front of the church so there will be fewer people walking toward you.
 
I do every time. My LA church has the Tabernacle where it truly belongs - in the center. The church I go to in AR does not – we still genuflect but the majority of them do not as the Tabernacle is kept in the adoration chapel and I know we can’t genuflect to it but I usually just tell the Lord I’m putting him “center stage” anyway. The parishioners in AR are also very loud on exiting - we stay in our pew and pray a few minutes after the Mass is over so we get looks when we are there but if you leave as soon as the song is finished (or behind Father) at my LA church you will be the only one leaving so quickly.
 
regression said:
Sorry, but what is your “dh”? I am not familiar with that abbreviation.
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***Oh, sorry–dh = ‘dear husband.’ Some additional ones:

dd=dear daughter
ds=dear son
dw=dear wife
xh= ex husband
xw=ex wife

Should be a key on here or something. :D***
 
whatevergirl said:
***Oh, sorry–dh = ‘dear husband.’ Some additional ones:

dd=dear daughter
ds=dear son
dw=dear wife
xh= ex husband
xw=ex wife

Should be a key on here or something. :D***
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Ah, that makes sense. I should have gotten that from the context…
 
Of course, I always genuflect. Unfortunately, I have also noticed an awful lot of people not doing so and also a lot of people doing the half genuflect, quick curtsy thing. :rolleyes: That drives me crazy too!

I have also discovered the key to not being run over as you genuflect when you leave is to stay til the end of the recessional hymn. By then, most of the people have left and the people who haven’t are the ones who are more likely to genuflect themselves, and watch out for others doing so. 😃
 
regression said:
After seeing this thread, I paid more attention to what people do when I went to church tonight. Most people genuflect, but most do not make the sign of the cross when doing so. I was taught that when I was young and have always done that. Just wondering if most people here do or do not make the sign of the cross when genuflecting?
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When I was still able to genuflect (the knee still bent), I would have to hold onto the side a pew in order to get down and more importantly, to get back up. (I can also only enter the pew from the left side, not the right side of the pew.)

So I generally did not make the Sign of the Cross because my right hand was holding onto the pew, and then pushing me back up, and then helping me to get my balance as I entered the pew. It just wasn’t practical!

But I would make the Sign of the Cross as soon as I was seated and started to pray.

I think that balance issues may be one reason why older people don’t always make the Sign of the Cross. Not sure about others. It may be that they are waiting until they kneel down to pray–that’s what I’ve noticed, anyway.
 
Here’s a question for everyone.

During Lent, we made the Stations of the Cross at our parish on Fridays. The Stations were led by the deacons, who used a text and read various passages before each Station.

One of the things that is in their readings is a genuflection to each Station (or in my case, bow).

But in our RCIA class, we were taught that you do not genuflect to anyone except Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. You can bow to show respect, or kneel before an image to request prayer from that saint. But a genuflection is reserved for Christ.

Well, we kind of forgot about that the first time we did Stations back in 2004. BUT then we saw a family that we heartily respect TURNING away from the Station and genuflecting towards the tabernacle where Christ was in repose. They genuflected towards Jesus, not the Station.

So that’s what we do now.

(BTW, the reason we highly respect this family is that they have adopted 17 children, including several sets of siblings, from various countries. Their story was apparently featured in Readers’ Digest once. Their children are all homeschooled and are mannerly, friendly, and intelligent.)

So what does everyone else think? My personal feeling is that we are never incorrect to genuflect to Jesus Himself. It’s a little awkward, but not that much. (For me, BTW, it’s a bow, not a genuflect.)
 
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