Genuflecting before Reception of the Eucharist

[Seeker1961]

Last week at Mass I saw a man genuflect before he received the Eucharist from the minister. I didn’t see anyone else do it, most parishioners made a simple bow, which is what I’ve been doing. Back in NJ I went to a TLM parish, so I’m used to kneeling.

Is the genuflect proper in an OF Mass or frowned upon?

 

[JeffersonD]

The norm for the United States is a profound bow, in other words more than a bow of the head. Some people genuflect but the USCCB would prefer us to make use of the profound bow instead. Check out the GIRM if you get a chance on this issue. God bless and I hope this helps

 

[Seeker1961]

So why do we genuflect before the tabernacle when we enter the pew? Isn’t it the same Jesus in the Tabernacle as in the Host being distributed?

The genuflect seemed more consistent to me given that.

 

[Hmgbrd]

Last week at Mass I saw a man genuflect before he received the Eucharist from the minister. I didn’t see anyone else do it, most parishioners made a simple bow, which is what I’ve been doing. Back in NJ I went to a TLM parish, so I’m used to kneeling.

Is the genuflect proper in an OF Mass or frowned upon?

As a relatively new Catholic as of Easter Vigil, the only advice I can offer is what our Pastor instructed us to do when approaching the Eucharist when preparing us for the first time. He said that bowing or genuflecting beforehand was ok. It is a way of acknowledging the Real Presence. In our Diocese I have seen both behaviors. Just my :twocents:

 

[sedonaman]

…
Is the genuflect proper in an OF Mass or frowned upon?

Our pastor says that neither cart-wheels, mid-air somersaults, nor other gymnastic displays are necessary [read: wanted]; a simple bow of the head is enough.

 

[Gods_Peace]

Last week at Mass I saw a man genuflect before he received the Eucharist from the minister. I didn’t see anyone else do it, most parishioners made a simple bow, which is what I’ve been doing. Back in NJ I went to a TLM parish, so I’m used to kneeling.

Is the genuflect proper in an OF Mass or frowned upon?

I don’t believe it is proper.

 

[Another_Mary]

I hate to sound like a curmudgeon but many people do not bow where I attend Mass. Some do give a dip of the head.

I think of a profound bow as being from the waist, not the neck. I try to do that the best I can while the person in front of me is receiving.

Actually, my comment at the start should be that many people in front of me do not bow–because I’m not looking at those who come after me.

 

[Elizium23]

The norm for the United States is a profound bow, in other words more than a bow of the head. Some people genuflect but the USCCB would prefer us to make use of the profound bow instead. Check out the GIRM if you get a chance on this issue. God bless and I hope this helps

Actually, the norm for the United States is a bow of the head. Check out the GIRM if you get a chance.

1. The Priest then takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants, who usually come up in procession.

It is not permitted for the faithful to take the consecrated Bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them on from one to another among themselves. The norm established for the Dioceses of the United States of America is that Holy Communion is to be received standing, unless an individual member of the faithful wishes to receive Communion while kneeling (Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Instruction, Redemptionis Sacramentum, March 25, 2004, no. 91).

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.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

So why do we genuflect before the tabernacle when we enter the pew? Isn’t it the same Jesus in the Tabernacle as in the Host being distributed?

The genuflect seemed more consistent to me given that.

On the other hand, you don’t typically have a line of people in back of you – who might trip over your unexpectedly outstretched leg – when you go into a pew. Also, many of us of a certain age can manage a genuflection with a pew end as support, but couldn’t do so out in the open with nothing to hold onto to help us back up.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I normally genuflect, but if people in the queue are close together and I’m afraid to trip the one behind me, I will make a profound bow.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Last week at Mass I saw a man genuflect before he received the Eucharist from the minister. I didn’t see anyone else do it, most parishioners made a simple bow, which is what I’ve been doing. Back in NJ I went to a TLM parish, so I’m used to kneeling.

Is the genuflect proper in an OF Mass or frowned upon?

You’re free to kneel to receive communion. I also regularly attend the TLM, so I am used to kneeling. When I attend the OF I kneel as well. I have never had any issues, despite receiving from the bishop kneeling.

 

[Seeker1961]

You’re free to kneel to receive communion. I also regularly attend the TLM, so I am used to kneeling. When I attend the OF I kneel as well. I have never had any issues, despite receiving from the bishop kneeling.

I think one person kneeling to receive when everyone else is standing might be a logistical nightmare, not to mention that some might look at it as me trying to “act holier” than everyone else.

I did like the idea of a genuflect, but I can see how that could be a hazard too if the person behind me isn’t really paying attention. I wouldn’t want anyone to trip and get hurt.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I think one person kneeling to receive when everyone else is standing might be a logistical nightmare, not to mention that some might look at it as me trying to “act holier” than everyone else.

.

It has never caused such a “logistical nightmare” and those who want to make rash judgments about me trying to “act holier” should seek out the assistance of their confessor about that.

 

[Irishgal49]

On the other hand, you don’t typically have a line of people in back of you – who might trip over your unexpectedly outstretched leg – when you go into a pew. Also, many of us of a certain age can manage a genuflection with a pew end as support, but couldn’t do so out in the open with nothing to hold onto to help us back up.

I’m so glad someone asked this as I’ve been wondering. I’m unable to kneel so I have always wondered about receiving. I do bow for both the body and blood but wondered --should you genuflect after receiving. I always do but wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be doing that.

Another thing…after the Confeitor when the priest is giving absolution I was told to genuflect so I do…I don’t see many others doing this. I went to RCIA in a very old-fashioned parish. Is this correct?

Thanks for posting this topic.

Lorrie

 

[Corki]

I think one person kneeling to receive when everyone else is standing might be a logistical nightmare, not to mention that some might look at it as me trying to “act holier” than everyone else.

I did like the idea of a genuflect, but I can see how that could be a hazard too if the person behind me isn’t really paying attention. I wouldn’t want anyone to trip and get hurt.

Logistics or not, it is an option specifically granted to the communicant in the GIRM quoted above.

It’s really not any more of a logistic “nightmare” than the veneration of the Cross on Good Friday. The sign of veneration is not specified. Some kneel and kiss the cross, some genuflect to the cross, some bow, some kiss the cross from standing, some just make the sign of the Cross and move on.

Our parish is a bit of a mix. Most receive standing with a bow as the sign of reverence. We have several who genuflect and one or two who receive kneeling. I have never seen any “hazzard” conditions.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

Logistics or not, it is an option specifically granted to the communicant in the GIRM quoted above.

It’s really not any more of a logistic “nightmare” than the veneration of the Cross on Good Friday. The sign of veneration is not specified. Some kneel and kiss the cross, some genuflect to the cross, some bow, some kiss the cross from standing, some just make the sign of the Cross and move on.

Our parish is a bit of a mix. Most receive standing with a bow as the sign of reverence. We have several who genuflect and one or two who receive kneeling. I have never seen any “hazzard” conditions.

You’re actually suppowed to genuflect before the crucifix on Good Friday. That’s the one time it’s permitted to genuflect before the crucifix.

 

[Seeker1961]

I would rather genuflect since we don’t have an altar rail.