Genuflecting on entering/leaving pew

[Timidity]

At the time and place of my youth, people would genuflect whenever they entered their pew before Mass or left their pew after Mass.

After being away from the church for a long time and returning, I find this practice to be somewhat spotty. Some people genuflect. Some people don’t. I don’t which is the “right” way.

Someone told me that it’s been replaced with a bow, but the person in question isn’t the most reliable source of information.

I looked for it in the GIRM, but the only thing I could find is genuflecting when crossing in front of the tabernable. Not quite the same thing.

So, my question is in two parts:

1. Is this genuflecting the still correct behaviour, or has it been replaced/removed?
2. Where is the requirement found?

Thanks, as always.

 

[tee_eff_em]

1. Is this genuflecting the still correct behaviour, or has it been replaced/removed?

I would say the answer depends on whether the tabernacle has been replaced/removed. If the Blessed Sacrament has been removed from the main body of the church, I would say a bow is sufficient, otherwise a genuflection. In neither case would I call it a “requirement”, however.

In many churches I’ve been to, even when the tabernacle is present, the practice I’ve seen (and heard encouraged) is that people genuflect before entering a pew and also before leaving the pew (ie while still in the pew, rather than in the aisle). Manifestly, it seems this is done so as not to trip other parishoners as they rush to escape the building.

tee

 

[baltobetsy]

One genuflects when one passes in front of the tabernacle. If the tabernacle is in the main part of the church, in plain view of your pew, then you genuflect as you enter and leave.

If the tabernacle is somewhere else, as in a side chapel, and not in plain view of your pew, you bow toward the altar as you enter and leave your pew.

Many people, accustomed to the way churches were arranged years ago, with the tabernacle front and center, developed the habit of genuflecting upon entering and leaving the pew and connected these two acts as if that were what mattered. In fact, what matters is genuflecting to Christ in the tabernacle. It is pointless to genuflect if He’s not in front of you.

If your knees are shot, you may substitute a profound bow (from the waist) for a genuflection.

Hope this helps. I don’t think it’s written anywhere official, since it’s not a public, liturgical act. It’s more a matter of etiquette.

Betsy

 

[SMHW]

Just to add to tee_eff_em’s post…

If the tabernacle is present you should genuflect towards the direction of the tabernacle. A genuflection is a sign of reverence/worship to Jesus as present in the Blessed Sacrament. (If for some reason the Blessed Sacrament is temporarily not present in the tabernacle it would be incorrect to genuflect.)

If there is no tabernacle, then it is proper to bow (just the head, not from the waist) in the direction of the altar as a sign of respect.

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

I would like to speak up for the many older faithful, who struggle with arthritis as I do. It is very difficult to genuflect. Our bishop realizes this so does not have a hard and fast rule. Some show of respect, maybe a bow, is always called for when entering or leaving.

Deacon Tony SFO

 

[Leo44]

Some things don’t have or shouldn’t have to be “written down somewhere”, I genuflect because I am in the presence of our Awsome God present in the tabernacle, when I can no longer genuglect I will bow very reverently, by the Grace of God.

 

[BrianDay]

While there is no hard & fast rule on genuflecting when entering/exiting the pew, it is perfectly acceptable to genuflect to the tabernacle when entering/exiting as a sign of respect to the Presence of Our Lord.