Genflect Toward the Eucharist or Altar?

[Goldy]

In churches where the real presence is kept in a side chapel, should you genuflect facing toward the chapel or the altar/crucifix?

Well, personally I don’t know all the rules regarding this practice. But here’s a crazy idea: Why not place ALL Tabernacles on the main altar, where they belong, and then nobody would have any confusion on where to genuflect toward? Gee I amaze myself with my intelligence sometimes

 

[sneakers]

In churches where the real presence is kept in a side chapel, should you genuflect facing toward the chapel or the altar/crucifix?

I always genuflect toward the Tabernacle (on the side of the church), regardless where I am when I come in. I kneel on both knees at Adoration.

 

[netmilsmom]

Hmm… if the Blessed Sacrament is reserved at the side altar does when still genuflect when crossing the centre aisle?

That’s exactly what happened when we were visiting a church in Ft. Lauderdale. My girls and I genuflected at the center aisle. It wasn’t until we found our seat in the balcony that I realized that Our Lord was off to the side.

We made sure we went down after and genuflected to “Say hi to Jesus.” in the proper spot.

 

[netmilsmom]

Well, personally I don’t know all the rules regarding this practice. But here’s a crazy idea: Why not place ALL Tabernacles on the main altar, where they belong, and then nobody would have any confusion on where to genuflect toward? Gee I amaze myself with my intelligence sometimes

Who’d a thunk?
Spot on!

 

[netmilsmom]

If the tabernacle is not located in the Chuch, you would bow to the altar. You genuflect when you cross the tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament.

When we were in FL, the gaggle of EMHCs and the Priest bowed to the Altar. As they filed into their seats, the tabernacle was next to them and basically ignored.

It looked like they were bowing to the presider’s chair behind the altar.

 

[palmas85]

In general:

We never genuflect to anything, we only genuflect to Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament.

If the tabernacle is present within the same liturgical space, you genuflect towards the tabernacle. If it is located in another room, you do not.

Bowing to the altar or crucifix if the tabernacle is not present.

Simple question / simple answer. Not noting all the special exceptions in the GIRM.

Bro Rich thats what I like about you, answers direct and to the point. Thanks.

 

[demerzel85]

Hmm… what happens when one is sitting at the side and needs to cross to the other side? Come out, genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament, reach the centre aisle and genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament again?

I’m just abit confused as in my parish the Blessed Sacrament is in the centre and I’m not used to the side ones. And well even though the new rubrics dont mandate some stuff any longer, no harm showing more reverence. Transubstantiation does take place, and he is really there as our Lord and Saviour.

 

[NoPlaceLikeRome]

Thanks OraEtLabora for the GIRM quotation. That’s what I thought.

 

[kleary]

In general:

We never genuflect to anything, we only genuflect to Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament.

If the tabernacle is present within the same liturgical space, you genuflect towards the tabernacle. If it is located in another room, you do not.

Bowing to the altar or crucifix if the tabernacle is not present.

Simple question / simple answer. Not noting all the special exceptions in the GIRM.

You forgot to add that we (at least those at my parish) also genuflect towards a Bishop when greeting him- at least we always do. Bishop DiMarzio was really impressed when he came to bless our chapel and everyone genuflected to him and kissed his ring.

Also, I was just informed that when the Blessed Sacrament is not on the High Altar and in a side chapel you still genuflect, but to the High Altar- out of respect for the High Altar which represents Jesus. The last post where I mentioned the crucifix came from the Good Friday/Easter Vigil at my parish- where everyone still genuflected yet the priest bowed.

So it is the High Altar you genuflect to even if the Blessed Sacrament is not in the Tabernacle there.

Ken

 

[Lion]

In churches where the real presence is kept in a side chapel, should you genuflect facing toward the chapel or the altar/crucifix?

I always genuflect toward God, my Saviour… so Eucharist it is for me

 

[kleary]

Well, personally I don’t know all the rules regarding this practice. But here’s a crazy idea: Why not place ALL Tabernacles on the main altar, where they belong, and then nobody would have any confusion on where to genuflect toward? Gee I amaze myself with my intelligence sometimes

Exactly…in parish churches the Tabernacle was always on the High Altar so there never was any confusion.

However in many basillicas and in some Cathedrals the Tabernacle was not reserved on the High Altar, ever. This was done out of respect for the Blessed Sacrament due to the many visitors to the basillica day after day. The rubric for genuflecting in this case is to genuflect toward the High Altar, never bow, unless you are handicapped and unable to genuflect. Then again I am coming from the Pre 1972 mentality and jurisdiction- for my parish follows the 1962 rubrics in this matter. If something was changed since then I am not aware of it.

Also, the reason the acolytes and crucifer (cross bearer) do not genuflect in procession is because “The Cross never kneels”. Shame others have adapted that practice to suit their own reasons such as genuflecting being demeaning to the person or something, or showing some inferiority.

Ken

 

[kleary]

I always genuflect toward God, my Saviour… so Eucharist it is for me

Genuflection is not just for the Blessed Sacrament. However it is what you are meaning it for when you do it.

If you met the Pope you would genuflect to him wouldn’t you? How about a King? I would also out of respect for him. The problem lies with society and the Protestant Reformation. We catholics kneel before images and pray but that kneeling is not a sign of adoration of the image.

The High Altar- the most holiest spot in the Church deserves our respect as much as a King does…therefore you would indeed genuflect toward the High Altar even if the Blessed Sacrament is not reserved there.

Ken

 

[Lion]

Genuflection is not just for the Blessed Sacrament. However it is what you are meaning it for when you do it.

If you met the Pope you would genuflect to him wouldn’t you? How about a King? I would also out of respect for him. The problem lies with society and the Protestant Reformation. We catholics kneel before images and pray but that kneeling is not a sign of adoration of the image.

The High Altar- the most holiest spot in the Church deserves our respect as much as a King does…therefore you would indeed genuflect toward the High Altar even if the Blessed Sacrament is not reserved there.

Ken

So I am a little confused about the phrase “high altar” what exactly does it mean? the Pope, sure, i would kneel out of respect for his authority and i would kiss his ring, but you have taken the original thread out of context in my opinion… when you enter a Church, to where do you genuflect? the Altar? or the Tabernacle where Jesus is Present? The Altar by and of itself , I bow to… where Jesus is present I genuflect (where ever that may be in my Church)

 

[Lion]

So I am a little confused about the phrase “high altar” what exactly does it mean? the Pope, sure, i would kneel out of respect for his authority and i would kiss his ring, but you have taken the original thread out of context in my opinion… when you enter a Church, to where do you genuflect? the Altar? or the Tabernacle where Jesus is Present? The Altar by and of itself , I bow to… where Jesus is present I genuflect (where ever that may be in my Church)

Btw, not trying to be dense here, but just looking for some information so that I can better understand your comment

 

[tee_eff_em]

You forgot to add that we (at least those at my parish) also genuflect towards a Bishop when greeting him- at least we always do.

One protocol to remember: Genuflect on the right knee for God (The Blessed Sacrament, The Holy Cross on Good Friday, et cetera); Genuflect on the left knee for persons (Everyone from the holy father on down).

Genuflection is not just for the Blessed Sacrament. However it is what you are meaning it for when you do it.

If you met the Pope you would genuflect to him wouldn’t you? How about a King? I would also out of respect for him.

The pope, yes. But I am subject to no earthly king – I think a bow is all that is called for.

tee

 

[CRW]

So it is the High Altar you genuflect to even if the Blessed Sacrament is not in the Tabernacle there.
Ken

Ken,

Genuflections: Adoration of Jesus Christ is expressed by the genuflection. Because this is the supreme act of reverence in our Rite, genuflection is reserved: (a) for Our Lord present in the Eucharist on the altar, in the tabernacle, monstrance or pyx; (b) for His Holy Cross from its Salemn veneration during the Good Friday liturgy until the Easter Vigil begins; (c) traditionally for a relic of His Holy Cross exposed for veneration.

If the tabernacle is located at the center of the sanctuary, the celebrant, deacon, servers, lectors, etc., must genuflect whenever walking across that central line during any liturgical celebration.

Moreover, when a procession in front of a Chapel, side altar or shrine where the Eucharist is reserved, no one genuflects. Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite

A bow of the body is made to the altar when the Blessed Sacrament is not on or behind it, to the celebrant, before and after an incensation and when it is specified in various rites. It is always made to bishops on approaching or before leaving him and when passing in front of him during ceremonies.

A bow of the head is made at the mention aloud of the three Divine Persons (during the first part of the “Glory be to the Father”, at the holy names of Jesus, Mary and of the saint in whose honor the liturgy is being celebrated. Same reference above.

 

[tee_eff_em]

If the tabernacle is located at the center of the sanctuary, the celebrant, deacon, servers, lectors, etc., must genuflect whenever walking across that central line during any liturgical celebration.

This is not correct, as prescribed by the current GIRM (with emphasis added):

1. A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the Holy Cross from the solemn adoration during the liturgical celebration on Good Friday until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

During Mass, three genuflections are made by the priest celebrant: namely, after the showing of the host, after the showing of the chalice, and before Communion. Certain specific features to be observed in a concelebrated Mass are noted in their proper place (cf. above, nos. 210-251).

If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is present in the sanctuary, the priest, the deacon, and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from it, but not during the celebration of Mass itself.

Otherwise all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession.

Ministers carrying the processional cross or candles bow their heads instead of genuflecting.

tee

 

[CRW]

This is not correct, as prescribed by the current GIRM (with emphasis added):

tee

I agree on the point that this is not done during the actual celebration of the Mass by the priest and deacon or others. The quoted reference was intended for instructions prior to the start of the celebration; however did not make a point or was incorrect after the celebration begins.

The point was that; So it is the High Altar you genuflect to even if the Blessed Sacrament is not in the Tabernacle there, was not correct.

The quoted reference received the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur December 1994; however, the GIRM is dated April 2003.

 

[LeahInancsi]

I’ve always been confused by this issue when visiting a church where the tabernacle is in a closet somewhere away from the altar. The regulars at those churches don’t seem to genuflect, at all.

At my parish, the tabernacle is very visibly located on the altar.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

You forgot to add that we (at least those at my parish) also genuflect towards a Bishop when greeting him- at least we always do. Bishop DiMarzio was really impressed when he came to bless our chapel and everyone genuflected to him and kissed his ring.

Also, I was just informed that when the Blessed Sacrament is not on the High Altar and in a side chapel you still genuflect, but to the High Altar- out of respect for the High Altar which represents Jesus. The last post where I mentioned the crucifix came from the Good Friday/Easter Vigil at my parish- where everyone still genuflected yet the priest bowed.

So it is the High Altar you genuflect to even if the Blessed Sacrament is not in the Tabernacle there.

Ken

We are getting off into the what do I do on the third Tuesday if it’s after 7pm and a 3/4 moon!

Simple question when entering a regular parish church, No Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, in the sanctuary or main liturgical space, no genuflection is made. There is no genuflection made to an empty tabernacle.