Form of Genuflection at Mass

  • Thread starter Thread starter scameter18
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

scameter18

Guest
Is there a specific form of genuflection that is required at Mass? Do I have to kneel (on a specific knee as well?), or can I bow? Are there different forms necessary at different times during Mass? Please forgive the ignorance of a convert. 🙂
 
Before sitting in the pew before Mass begins, one faces the Tabernacle, and if the Sanctuary Light is lit, genuflects, which is on the right knee. The Light being lit means Jesus is present in the Tabernacle. If it is not lit, one makes a profound bow toward the altar. Many places the Tabernacle is behind the altar, but in some places it is not. If it is not behind the altar, one turns toward it wherever it is. If the Tabernacle is not in sight or not in the same location, one makes a profound bow toward the Altar.

If one receives Holy Communion standing and chooses to genuflect beforehand, it is the right knee. If one receives kneeling, it is on both knees. At Eucharistic Adoration, kneeling on both knees. “Genuflection” generally means being on the right knee, while “kneeling” generally means being on both knees.

If one is in the church and walks past the Altar, then one would turn toward it and make a profound bow. That’s bending forward at the waist completely. If the Tabernacle is behind the altar, with the Sanctuary Light lit, one might choose to genuflect toward it instead of bowing.

At the name of Jesus, one bows the head slightly in reverence.

This is assuming, of course, that one is physically capable of doing these things.

From one convert to another, hope this helps.🙂
 
There is also a profound bow during the Creed at the words " by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man". That bow is replaced by a genuflexion on one knee at Christmas and Annunciation.

If we can’t kneel at the Consecration we do a profound bow when the priest genuflects.
 
I always genuflect towards the altar and the tabernacle is usually nearby it. I do so before Mass and do so when leaving Mass when we are dismissed. I do the bows during the Incarnation mention in the Creed. I also do a bow just after the Host then the Chalice are raised during the Consecration. I do a slight bow just before receiving Communion in both forms too. Some do various forms of genuflection just before their turn to receive but that is hard for me with my knees unless I have something nearby to lean on.
 
If you have an injury or condition which prevents you from geneflecting, you may do a profound bow in place of it.
 
Note that a bow is an inclination of the head and a profound bow is bending at the waist.
 
I have another related question: I have weak knees, and it is difficult for me to kneel quickly on the tile floor at my church. Could I kneel without actually touching my knee to the floor? Would that be acceptable?
 
scameter18 said:
I have another related question: I have weak knees, and it is difficult for me to kneel quickly on the tile floor at my church. Could I kneel without actually touching my knee to the floor? Would that be acceptable?
Click to expand...
Yes. Allowances are made for those with medical issue, to include those of a musculoskeletal nature. If it is hard for you to kneel at all, as I noted above, you can always just do a profound bow instead.
 
Just a bit of clarification: there are no “forms” of genuflection. To genuflect means, literally, to bend the knee. However, as others have stated, if genuflection is not possible, other ways of showing reverence may be appropriate.
 
Something I’ve wondered: when kneeling during the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood, I bow my head and the priest genuflects. Is this what you’re supposed to do or do I not bow my head since I’m already kneeling?
 
Bowing is NOT genuflecting. It is considered a form of reverence. Genuflect before entering the pew and upon leaving.
 
SeekNFind said:
Something I’ve wondered: when kneeling during the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood, I bow my head and the priest genuflects. Is this what you’re supposed to do or do I not bow my head since I’m already kneeling?
Click to expand...
It doesn’t really matter either way, as long as you kneel.
 
corsair said:
Bowing is NOT genuflecting. It is considered a form of reverence. Genuflect before entering the pew and upon leaving.
Click to expand...
You are correct that they are different things and that there are times when one or the other is supposed to be performed. However, as has been noted by myself and others, persons with illnesses or physical limitations which make genuflection difficult or painful are permitted to perform a profound bow instead.
 
our tabernacle is located in a separate chapel at the entrance/back of the main chapel. 🤷
 
Two more questions, related to this topic: is obesity a form of illness that could justly permit someone to not kneel? And, if one cannot kneel completely by touching the knee to the floor, would it be preferable to kneel as I described above, without touching the floor but still bending the knee, or to just make a profound bow?
 
scameter18 said:
Two more questions, related to this topic: is obesity a form of illness that could justly permit someone to not kneel? And, if one cannot kneel completely by touching the knee to the floor, would it be preferable to kneel as I described above, without touching the floor but still bending the knee, or to just make a profound bow?
Click to expand...
I think obesity in some cases can be prohibitive enough so as to make genuflection impossible, yes. I think a semi-genuflection would work in its stead, yes. But a profound bow, or whatever can be accomplished by the impaired person, would also work. Or nothing at all, if the person in question is profoundly physically impaired.
 
scameter18 said:
Two more questions, related to this topic: is obesity a form of illness that could justly permit someone to not kneel? And, if one cannot kneel completely by touching the knee to the floor, would it be preferable to kneel as I described above, without touching the floor but still bending the knee, or to just make a profound bow?
Click to expand...
The Church is practical about this. Do you really think that she would scold someone for being physically unable to genuflect? Would Christ cast someone out of the temple for being physically unable to bend a knee?

This is like circumcision – it is doesn’t matter if one circumcises the flesh when one doesn’t circumcise the heart. The same is true with genuflection – if one genuflects with the body but not the heart and mind and soul, what use is it?
 
Thank you both, I completely agree and I appreciate your wisdom. 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top