Y
yinekka
Guest
When the reader comes up from the congregation to read should he/she genuflect (tabernacle is behind the altar) or bow? 
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M
martino
Guest
We are to genuflect any time we cross or approach the tabernacle.
M
martino
Guest
Here is what it says in the GIRM, (General Instructions of the Roman Missal).
*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. 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.
*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. 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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BrianDay
Guest
If the reader crosses in front of the tabernacle while approaching the ambo, then the reader should genuflect.When the reader comes up from the congregation to read should he/she genuflect (tabernacle is behind the altar) or bow?
If the reader approaches the ambo from the side (without crossing the alter) then as the reader reaches the ambo, a bow to the alter before turning towards the congregation would be more appropriate.
I do not think there are any “hard and fast rules” on this, so a reader should follow the instructions from the priest.
Y
yinekka
Guest
Thank you for your answers to my question. The Pastoral Associate has advised all readers that they are to bow not genuflect when going up to read.
I have another question now.
I went to Mass at a different parish yesterday. The tabernacle was off to the side. The priest didn’t genuflect at all before, during or after the Mass ; he bowed. Is that correct?
I have another question now.
I went to Mass at a different parish yesterday. The tabernacle was off to the side. The priest didn’t genuflect at all before, during or after the Mass ; he bowed. Is that correct?
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Trevelyan
Guest
The Pastoral Associate is correct, readers are to bow, not genuflect.
The GIRM says:
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.
(readers are ‘other ministers’)
The key words are “but not during the celebration of Mass itself”
According to the GIRM, reverence is not paid to the reserved Sacrament during the Mass (except at the beginning and end) -
because the presence of Christ “unfolds” and deepens during the Mass (in 1-The Congregation, 2-The Priest, 3-The Scripture and 4-par exellence In the Holy Eucharist).
Outside of Mass, however, all are to genuflect on passing the tabernacle, and customarily that includes on entering the sancruary.
The GIRM says:
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.
(readers are ‘other ministers’)
The key words are “but not during the celebration of Mass itself”
According to the GIRM, reverence is not paid to the reserved Sacrament during the Mass (except at the beginning and end) -
because the presence of Christ “unfolds” and deepens during the Mass (in 1-The Congregation, 2-The Priest, 3-The Scripture and 4-par exellence In the Holy Eucharist).
Outside of Mass, however, all are to genuflect on passing the tabernacle, and customarily that includes on entering the sancruary.
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tee_eff_em
Guest
It may be. If the tabernacle is off to the side, there is no need for the priest to genuflect when approaching and departing the altar. But he is supposed to genuflect at points during the consecration (as noted above). Possible reasons for him not genuflecting then (off the top of my head):
- Physical infirmity
- Was he perchance a Trappist? (I think the Trappist rite and tradition substitues a profound bow for the genuflections)
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tee_eff_em
Guest
But one might also find the key words: “when they approach the altar and when they depart from it”, no? If the reader does not process with the other ministers, but is coming into the sanctuary from the congregation and returning thence (and if the tabernacle is in the sanctuary), I’m not sure which answer is correct.
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