Genuflect or Profound Bow to Altar when Tabernacle not in side Chapel

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I am going to Mass with my parents this Sunday at their Parish. I have been here before, and they have the Tabernacle in a separate Chapel. Of course, I think the Tabernacle should be present during the liturgy, ie. behind the Altar but that is another issue.

When entering the pew, what should I do: Profound Bow or Genuflect?
 
If the tabernacle is in a separate room, you would bow to the altar. If the tabernacle is simply off to the side in the sanctuary, with no doors or walls between you and it, then genuflect towards it, then bow to the altar and sit.
 
muffinmojo said:
If the tabernacle is in a separate room, you would bow to the altar. If the tabernacle is simply off to the side in the sanctuary, with no doors or walls between you and it, then genuflect towards it, then bow to the altar and sit.
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Both a genuflection and a Bow are not necessary. If the tabernacle is present in the same liturgical space, genuflect to Christ’s presence and sit, or kneel and pray in preparation for Mass.
 
The question was raised several times in the Ask an Apologist section. Before I get to that, I want to explain more about the altar that may not be understood by many today.

It is upon the altar that the Eucharistic Sacrifice is offered. The altar represents Christ. Catholic altars have relics of saints installed within them. In this post at the Catholic Key, you see relics about to be taken in for installation by Bishop Finn during the recent consecration of the Cathedral. Also noteworthy, is that on each altar there are five crosses engraved. These represent the five wounds of Christ.

In a series on the liturgy, Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput wrote:

When the priest approaches the altar, the very first thing he does is kiss the altar. In keeping with an ancient tradition, kissing an object shows a reverence for what or whom it represents. The altar symbolizes Christ; it is also the place where the sacrifice of Calvary takes place anew. So in kissing the altar, the priest greets his friend and Lord, for whom he has given over his life and for whose service he has been ordained.In the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM):
  1. A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to the persons themselves or to the signs that represent them. There are two kinds of bows: a bow of the head and a bow of the body.
    • A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honor Mass is being celebrated.
    • A bow of the body, that is to say a profound bow, is made to the altar; during the prayers Munda cor meum (Almighty God, cleanse my heart) and In spiritu humilitatis (Lord God, we ask you to receive); in the Creed at the words Et incarnatus est (by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . made man); in the Roman Canon at the words Supplices te rogamus (Almighty God, we pray that your angel). The same kind of bow is made by the deacon when he asks for a blessing before the proclamation of the Gospel. In addition, the priest bows slightly as he speaks the words of the Lord at the consecration.
    GIRM 274 covers genuflection

    More Info:ALL: There is a tendency today for people to be concerned with what others will think when they express themselves in gestures. Everyone should focus on Christ and what He thinks. As long as you are doing it for Him in your heart, don’t be concerned about what others are thinking - just do it!
 
Lux_et_veritas said:
It is upon the altar that the Eucharistic Sacrifice is offered. The altar represents Christ. Catholic altars have relics of saints installed within them. In this post at the Catholic Key, you see relics about to be taken in for installation by Bishop Finn during the recent consecration of the Cathedral. Also noteworthy, is that on each altar there are five crosses engraved. These represent the five wounds of Christ.
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It is important to remember that today not all Catholic altars have relics in them.
 
Br.Rich_SFO said:
It is important to remember that today not all Catholic altars have relics in them.
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Sadly true.

However, the practice was to be retained where possible. The one thing that comes to mind that would not make it necessarily possible would be modern altar design (also sad, at times).

Fr. McNamara who answers liturgical questions through Zenit had this to say:

ROME, 3 MAY 2005 (ZENIT)
Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University. Q: I would like to know the present teaching of the Church, with documentary evidence, on fixing relics of the saints at the altar of Holy Mass. — K.S., Nagapattinam, India A: The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 302, contains the following statement: “The practice of placing relics of Saints, even those not Martyrs, under the altar to be dedicated is fittingly retained. Care should be taken, however, to ensure the authenticity of such relics.” This statement summarizes the more detailed treatment of this question found in other documents such as the Roman Pontifical, Dedication of a Church and an Altar, and in the Ceremonial of Bishops. To see the complete response: Relics in the Altar

If someone is in a parish where a new building is being constructed, talk to the pastor about the altar and relics. There are many parishes being closed down with relics in the altars. These should come with papers of authenticity.

More on Relics in the Altar:
 
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