Genuflecting before communion

[tee_eff_em]

My question now: : When one receives Communion, we are supposed to say ‘Amen’. Should we say Amen, then Bow, then open our mouth (or raise our hands) for the host, or should we Bow, then say Amen, then open our mouth?

Let us start with the GIRM adapted for the US:

1. …
   When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister. The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant. When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.

1. If Communion is given only under the species of bread, the priest raises the host slightly and shows it to each, saying, Corpus Christi (The Body of Christ). The communicant replies, Amen, and receives the Sacrament either on the tongue or, where this is allowed and if the communicant so chooses, in the hand. As soon as the communicant receives the host, he or she consumes it entirely.

If, however, Communion is given under both kinds, the rite prescribed in nos. 284-287 is followed.

I can see how this might lead to your question. IMHO, the US adaptation is made rather badly, conflating the two instructions. If we go to the Latin editio typica:

1. … Fideles communicant genuflexi vel stantes, prout Conferentia Episcoporum statuerit. Cum autem stantes communicant, commendatur ut debitam reverentiam, ab iisdem normis statuendam, ante susceptionem Sacramenti faciant.

1. Si Communio sub specie tantum panis fit, sacerdos hostiam parum elevatam unicuique ostendit dicens: Corpus Christi. Communicandus respondet: Amen, et Sacramentum recipit, ore vel, ubi concessum sit, manu, pro libitu suo. Communicandus statim ac sacram hostiam recipit, eam ex integro consumit.

Si vero Communio fit sub utraque specie, servetur ritus suo loco descriptus (cf. nn. 284-287).

My own translation of 160 is:
The faithful communicate kneeling or standing, according to what the Episcopal Conference shall determine. When they communicate standing, however, it is recommended that they make a sign of reverence, determined from those same norms, before receiving the Sacrament.
That is: #160 instructs the faithful how to approach the minister of communion (in the US, make a bow of the head); #161 instructs how to receive from the minister (after the minister has shown the host saying “The body of Christ”, respond “Amen” and receive, on the tongue or in the hand, as allowed). (Likewise, 284-287 are about how to receive, having already approached the minister)

So the answer to the original question: Bow; Say Amen; Open your mouth.

tee

 

[Apryl]

If something like the procedure you’ve mentioned is not described in detail in one of those documents (you might want the Roman Missal and the Sacramentary as well, they’d certainly help more than the CCC, but I doubt there’s ANYTHING that goes into that much detail) then chances are it really really REALLY doesn’t matter how it’s done.

I’m not saying that they aren’t in teh documents I described. I only stated that I was unable to find them. If you know where in the documents I listed they can be found, that would be very helpful.

Do you suffer from OCD or something by any chance?

Do you ask because you misunderstood my original question?

 

[nightwalker]

this is the actual link to the Q&A
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=232104
why are you asking again here, you just received an authorotative answer

Could someone remind me what the definition of an authoritative answer is? I always thought it was the person who had authority over a given issue.

With all respect to the team here, the CDW&DS made it clear that kneeling to receive was allowed, and that it has “in its favor a centuries-old tradition, and it is a particularly expressive sign of adoration, completely appropriate in light of the true, real and substantial presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ under the consecrated species.” (quoting one Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger).

If kneeling is allowed, then certainly genuflection or a deep bow must also be allowed.

 

[japhy]

Could someone remind me what the definition of an authoritative answer is? I always thought it was the person who had authority over a given issue.

…

If kneeling is allowed, then certainly genuflection or a deep bow must also be allowed.

Kneeling to receive Holy Communion is different from genuflecting before receiving Holy Communion. In the US, although standing is the norm decided on by the Conference of Bishops, kneeling is always permitted (as the CDWDS made clear). However, the GIRM dictates the sign of reverence to be made when standing is a bow of the head. So if you receive standing, make a bow of the head.

 

[nightwalker]

Kneeling to receive Holy Communion is different from genuflecting before receiving Holy Communion. In the US, although standing is the norm decided on by the Conference of Bishops, kneeling is always permitted (as the CDWDS made clear). However, the GIRM dictates the sign of reverence to be made when standing is a bow of the head. So if you receive standing, make a bow of the head.

The GIRM dictates the minimum, that or Cardinal Arinze is wrong in saying “ince we are body and soul, our reverence for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist has to show itself also in gestures such as genuflection to the tabernacle on entry and at exit, genuflection where prescribed by Church books inside the Mass, genuflection or bow at the reception of Holy Communion…”.

Of course this questions was answered, authoritatively, when the Latin IGRM was approved in 2000: "2. Does the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments intend by Nos. 160-162, 244, or elsewhere in the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, that the people may no longer genuflect or bow as a sign of reverence to the Blessed Sacrament immediately before they receive Holy Communion?

Resp.: Negative."

Again, if a signs considered of greater reverence (kneeling) and of lesser reverence (bowing) than the middle option (genuflecting), on what grounds would the middle be excluded?

 

[japhy]

The GIRM dictates the minimum, that or Cardinal Arinze is wrong in saying “ince we are body and soul, our reverence for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist has to show itself also in gestures such as genuflection to the tabernacle on entry and at exit, genuflection where prescribed by Church books inside the Mass, genuflection or bow at the reception of Holy Communion…”.

The GIRM does not state that a bow of the head is the minimum.

It is not clear that Cardinal Arinze’s comment is specifically about US practices, and even if it is, the priest celebrant does genuflect before receiving Holy Communion. So the Cardinal is not wrong.

Of course this questions was answered, authoritatively, when the Latin IGRM was approved in 2000: "2. Does the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments intend by Nos. 160-162, 244, or elsewhere in the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani, that the people may no longer genuflect or bow as a sign of reverence to the Blessed Sacrament immediately before they receive Holy Communion?

Resp.: Negative."

That answer was given in 2000, before the US Conference of Catholic Bishops determined the norm for the sign of reverence to be given before receiving Holy Communion (which they would not have been able to do if the CDWDS intended that “the people may no longer genuflect or bow”). We are allowed (and instructed) to bow our head.

Again, if a signs considered of greater reverence (kneeling) and of lesser reverence (bowing) than the middle option (genuflecting), on what grounds would the middle be excluded?

I do not know the answer. I would gladly genuflect before receiving if it was clear that it was permitted of me. I would prefer to receive kneeling, but that is made more difficult without an altar rail and with a hard floor to kneel on. I am content (for now) with bowing my head and receiving on the tongue.

 

[nightwalker]

The GIRM does not state that a bow of the head is the minimum.

Nor does it state it is forbidden to genuflect.

Arinze’s comment was in Louisville, Kentucky, addressing an American audience (which, given his regular trips here would be one that he knows), and addressing the action of the congregation (check the link for context)
"japhy:

That answer was given in 2000, before the US Conference of Catholic Bishops determined the norm for the sign of reverence to be given before receiving Holy Communion (which they would not have been able to do if the CDWDS intended that “the people may no longer genuflect or bow”). We are allowed (and instructed) to bow our head.

That was made with the text that the Bishops Conference was to establish a norm. Regardless of the norm, there is no intention by the CDW (the authority) to prohibit either bowing or kneeling.