Genuflect before entering pew?

[Adam_C]

Was just wondering why we genuflect before we sit down in the pew. I understand that it is a sign of reverence to genuflect as we pass the tabernacle but never understood why before we sit. Thanks in advance.

Adam

 

[drforjc]

Adam, you pretty much have it right already…

Traditionally, Catholic churches have had the tabernacle placed in the middle of the high altar, which would be directly ahead of you as you walked down the aisle to enter your pew. So you are passing in front of the tabernacle.
Today some churches do not have the tabernacle in the main body of the church (I have a problem with that but that’s a whole 'nother thread). So, really, a bow to the altar would really be the more correct thing to do in such a church since the Blessed Sacrament is not present there to genuflect to.

 

[TableServant]

drforjc:

Adam, you pretty much have it right already…

Traditionally, Catholic churches have had the tabernacle placed in the middle of the high altar, which would be directly ahead of you as you walked down the aisle to enter your pew. So you are passing in front of the tabernacle.
Today some churches do not have the tabernacle in the main body of the church (I have a problem with that but that’s a whole 'nother thread). So, really, a bow to the altar would really be the more correct thing to do in such a church since the Blessed Sacrament is not present there to genuflect to.

It might be obvious from this very well put explanation, but I would encourage everyone to locate the tabernacle in their church - I’m not arguing placement here, just suggesting that everyone know where the tabernacle is. Then, when you do enter the church, you can come before the tabernacle and genuflect. And, now knowing the proper reverence to give when passing before an altar that does not have a tabernacle on or behind it, you can bow, being, in both instances, and in all humility, an example to your fellow parishioners.

 

[agick]

And parishioners also need to remember that they should genuflect to the tabernacle at times other than when they enter or leave their pew – everytime you pass in front of the tabernacle you should genuflect. If I enter church and pass the tabernacle to sit on the other side of the church, I’ll genuflect. And our alter servers when lighting the candles before Mass generally will genuflect as they pass the tabernacle or at least give a bow.

TonyG

 

[Tressa]

In our church the tabernacle is placed in the sactuary but a little off to the side. Our church is in the round, so at some points in the church the tabernacle cannot even be seen. Do these people who enter the church and then the pew not genuflect? No, everyone genuflects before entering the pew. There are the norms that spell out when we are to genulfect. The priest, deacons and servers (not carring anything) genuflect to the tabernacle at the beginning and end of Mass if the tabernacle is in the sanctuary; even if it is a little off to the side.

GIRM 274.

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.

So you see the taberncale does not need to be directly in the middle for the priest to genuflect. Even in a traditional style church with the tabernacle in the center, those who enter the church from a side door and enter a pew will not necessarily be passing in front of the tabernacle. I think what we need to remember most of all is that when **we come into the Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, we should always acknowledge His Presence ** with what the Church deems is the utmost sign of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament, a genuflection. In doing this we will greatly diminish the lack of faith in the Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Norms aside, I often look at it this way: if I were to enter a room and the Pope was sitting somewhere in that room, there is no way that I would allow myself to ingore or to not acknowledge this vicar of Christ. How much more should we do for Our Savior Jesus Christ which is shown in our posture and even more importantly in our hearts!

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

In the Latin Rite, genuflecting in the direction of the tablenacle is acknowledging Jesus as the Lord of your life and giving him worship. For those who cannot genuflect (bad knees for example), a bow can replace it.

In the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church, I believe a bow is generally used instead of a genuflect.

Both genuflecting and bowing should be done with courtesy towards those around you.

 

[Adam_C]

The way our church is set up I pass the tabernacle well before I get to the pew. I always genuflect at the tabernacle but do I genuflect again at the pew?

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

I would say that if you genuflected at your nearest point to the tablenacle, you would not need to genuflect again when you got to the pew.

 

[Deacon2006]

I always genuflect facing the tabernacle. when I walk by it, or getting in and out of a pew.

God Bless

 

[Minimus]

Deacon2006:

Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur

Videtur?

 

[Pious]

When I enter the Church I genuflect in front of the Tabernacle which is present in the Adoration Chapel and bow towards the altar before taking my seat, but when I leave I turn in the aisle to face the direction of the Tabernacle and genuflect, as it would be impossible to go directly in front of it as it is located near the entrance of the Church where everyone congregates to leave and I would be afraid of the elderly tripping over me.

We genuflect towards the Tabernacle to show our devotion to Jesus as our Lord God and Saviour.

Isaiah: 45:23-24.

‘By my own self I swear it; what comes from my mouth is truth, a word irrevocable: before me every knee shall bend, before me every tongue shall swear, saying, “From Yahweh alone come victory and strength”.

Philippians 2:9-11.

But God raised him high and gave him the name that is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on the earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Yours in the Spirit

Pious.