Genuflect or bow?

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Which is the proper way to show reverence in front of Tabernacle and Host?
Sometimes many people inside the Church forget to show reverence altogether, just like entering a Movie house.😦
 
We should genuflect entering and leaving the pew, unless we aren’t able to through some disability.

Some people genuflect when entering the Church.

People are like sheep, if you do it some will follow, I was picked to do the collection at Church, and since we have to leave the collection at the foot of the Altar then I genuflect there too, some of the other collectors do, some don’t.

At the end of Mass, most Sundays the Priest asks us to bow are heads for the blessing.

During Eucharistic Adoration we usually get down on two knees and bow our heads as-well, that is entering and leaving the pews.
 
Definitely genuflect entering or leaving the pews - IF the tabernacle is in the main body of the Church and not placed in a separate chapel. Otherwise bow to the altar.

And I know many here can tell you stories the opposite of yours - going into theaters and absentmindedly genuflecting before taking their seats 😃

And I was well taught by the nuns at school to do the double genuflection (both knees :yup: ) when the Eucharist is exposed.

I sometimes read or act as EMHC, so I bow to the altar when going to the ambo (lectern) or approaching the altar to receive the chalice.
 
LilyM said:
And I know many here can tell you stories the opposite of yours - going into theaters and absentmindedly genuflecting before taking their seats 😃
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:rotfl: Floored me there!
LilyM said:
And I was well taught by the nuns at school to do the double genuflection (both knees :yup: ) when the Eucharist is exposed.

I sometimes read or act as EMHC, so I bow to the altar when going to the ambo (lectern) or approaching the altar to receive the chalice.
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The double genuflect when there is exposed Eucharist is often forgotten nowadays.
 
Here are some relevant norms:

From The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, :
  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.
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From Inaestimabile Donum:
  1. The venerable practice of genuflecting before the Blessed Sacrament, whether enclosed in the tabernacle or publicly exposed, as a sign of adoration, is to be maintained.(37) This act requires that it be performed in a recollected way. In order that the heart may bow before God in profound reverence, the genuflection must be neither hurried nor careless.
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From Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass:
  1. A single genuflection is made in the presence of the blessed sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration.
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From The Ceremonial of Bishops (See 68-72):
A genuflection, made by bending only the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and is therefore reserved for the blessed sacrament whether exposed or reserved in the tabernacle.
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Eireann said:
People are like sheep, if you do it some will follow
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This has to be the most truefull thing I have read on here. I believe the best way to change peoples habits is by example. If you genuflect you will notice others around you doing it. It’s in their memories somewhere and seeing you will bring it out. Then you can only hope they continue and spread it like the flu.
 
Chancellare said:
Which is the proper way to show reverence in front of Tabernacle and Host?
Sometimes many people inside the Church forget to show reverence altogether, just like entering a Movie house.😦
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We must genuflect towards the taberncale containing the Blessed Sacrament when entering or leaving a pew, entering or leaving the sanctuary outside of Mass. Unless we are unable to do so, then a profound bow is to be done. Remember it is always towards the Blessed Sacrament.
 
LilyM said:
Definitely genuflect entering or leaving the pews - IF the tabernacle is in the main body of the Church and not placed in a separate chapel. Otherwise bow to the altar.
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clarification: it is not when entering or leaving the pew… it is when you are closest to the altar. If you enter from a side door, pass in front of the altar and then down the center aisle to get to your pew, you should kneel when you are at the front of the center aisle.
LilyM said:
I sometimes read or act as EMHC, so I bow to the altar when going to the ambo (lectern) or approaching the altar to receive the chalice.
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If the tabernacle is present on the altar, then even as an EMHC or reader you should still genuflect rather than bow before moving onto or off of the altar. If the tabernacle is in a seperate chapel, you neither genuflect on the way to your pew or entering or leaving the altar. At that point, a profound bow is appropriate.
 
Another quote from the Ceremonial of Bishops, which was published in Latin in 1984:

“Reverence toward the blessed sacrament
71 No one who enters a church should fail to adore the blessed sacrament, either by visiting the blessed sacrament chapel or at least by genuflecting.
Similarly, those who pass before the blessed sacrament genuflect, except when they are walking in procession.
Reverence toward the altar
72 A deep bow is made to the altar by all who enter the sanctuary (chancel), leave it, or pass before the altar.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, pages 36-37).

Other relevent quotes were provided above in post #6.
 
More and more, I kneel, (its like genuflection, but on both knees) when I get into pew and leave, I bow when I approach the tabernacle if I am busy, but usually the first time I walk past it I kneel.
 
AMDG1 said:
Another reason why communion under both species should be abolished 😉
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Which has nothing to do with whether you should genuflect or bow.

And I would thank you if you don’t take communion away from me. But that is another thread.
 
LilyM said:
With a chalice in my hands? Don’t think so :nope:
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I would think that it would be obvious that when one is bearing the Blessed Sacrament, that to bow or genuflect before anything would be a greivous error. At the point where you carry the chalice, you bear Christ up upon the altar. I was refering specifically to instances where an EMHC is approaching or leaving the altar before recieving chalice or Hosts, and after clean-up when Communion is finished. Just as the American flag is never dipped in salute for any reason (in American borders) so no bearer of Body or Blood should ever bow or genuflect to something which cannot even measure against our Lord and God.
 
maryjk said:
Which has nothing to do with whether you should genuflect or bow.

And I would thank you if you don’t take communion away from me. But that is another thread.
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apparently my wink and grin didn’t put my comments into proper perspective. I’ll have to petition the CA forum to add a tongue-in-cheek emoticon…
 
AMDG1 said:
apparently my wink and grin didn’t put my comments into proper perspective. I’ll have to petition the CA forum to add a tongue-in-cheek emoticon…
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Communion under one species is a hot topic here.
And it hits me hard.
Sorry, I didn’t see the wink. I just reacted. 😊
 
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