Genuflect or Bow at Alter?

[PiousTemplar]

In Novus Ordo Mass, when you are carrying a candle lighter or processional cross, do you genuflect at the Alter? Or simply try your best at bowing?

 

[Little_One0307]

In Novus Ordo Mass, when you are carrying a candle lighter or processional cross, do you genuflect at the Alter? Or simply try your best at bowing?

I have seen it done both ways. More than likely if one doubts one should ask the priest officiating at that Mass. I have never seen in my recollection the person carrying the Cross genuflect. I have seen them bowing.

However in GIRM - General Instruction of the Roman Missal -

no. 49 - When they reach the sanctuary, the priest, and the deacon, and the ministers reverence the altar with a profound bow. [this is the entrance]

Little One0307

 

[Theophorus]

In Novus Ordo Mass, when you are carrying a candle lighter or processional cross, do you genuflect at the Alter? Or simply try your best at bowing?

When you are carrying something like that you bow your head in acknowledgement.
cf. the general instruction of the Roman Missal(GIRM) No. 274

 

[Theophorus]

I

no. 49 - When they reach the sanctuary, the priest, and the deacon, and the ministers reverence the altar with a profound bow. [this is the entrance]

If the Tabernacle is present in the Sanctuary then The Priest and Deacon etc. genuflect before it at the start of Mass. again GIRM No.274
GRIM No. 274:

Genuflections and Bows
274. 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. 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.

 

[Angelicus]

Typically, if a minister is carrying an item in procession and that item extends below the waist, then that minister only reverences the altar with a simple bow (I. E. A bow of the head). All other ministers would reverence the altar with a profound bow or a genuflection, as appropriate. Therefore, a simple bow would be appropriate for the cross bearer, any torch bearers, and the thurifer and accompanying boat bearer. Anyone carrying processional candles would have to genuflect or make a profound bow.

 

[TrueLight]

So the other day at an all night vigil, there was a Eucharistic procession in the church and the laity processed after the Priest and servers.

We processed around the church about three times. I did notice that some people genuflected when they passed in front of the altar.

Since the Eucharist was in the procession line, in this case would you just bow as you pass the altar? I neither genuflected or bowed as I had a moment of confusion.

On a related note, I have a very basic question about the tabernacle.

I noticed for Adoration, the monstrance is brought from another location and put into the tabernacle. What is in the tabernacle before that? Does it hold the body and blood for communion?

 

[Angelicus]

According to GIRM #274, one is to genuflect when passing before the Blessed Sacrament except when one is in a procession. This would be especially true in any type of eucharistic procession since it is out Lord Himself at the head of the procession and we follow Him in adoration.

The tabernacle contains the consecrated species for both adoration and for use as Viaticum or for communion of the sick. Besides the consecrated hosts in one or more ciboria, there is usually also a pyx containing the lunette with a large consecrated host. This lunette is what is placed inside the monstrance for adoration. The monstrance itself is an adorned display station on a pedestal which sits either on the altar or atop the tabernacle during adoration.