Genuflecting to nothing?

[kristilynne]

I’m a relatively new Catholic and I attend one of those “modern” churches with a side chapel. For me, this is a place for adoration. It means that if I choose, I can take a few minutes alone with Jesus before Mass by stepping inside and using the kneelers provided. Also, during the Eucharist liturgy the consecrated hosts are brought in procession down the aisle and then returned in a very reverent manner. In other Catholic churches I often have to look around at the front to find the tabernacle, because it’s often to the side. I don’t have the same opportunity to come close as I do in my home parish.

 

[ANNE_2]

I am also uncomfortable genuflecting or bowing to an empty altar before or after Mass, because no Tabernacle is there. The genuflecting or bowing is for Our Lord.

I do prefer Churches where the Tabernacle is visible so all can honor Jesus.

Consecrated Hosts are kept in the Tabernacle.

 

[ajpirc]

A fellow Buckeye here.

Amen, amen I say to you, GO BUCKS!!!

 

[ajpirc]

The Tabernacle is off to the left side of the main altar.

It actually requires doing a left-flank genuflection to the Tabernacle.

Ours is to the right. I’m probably the only one in my parish that actually turns toward the tabernacle.

 

[PLAT]

Can someone explain what is meant by left-flank genuflection?

Btw someone above is incorrect; we genuflect to the blessed sacrament (i.e. body of christ, blood of christ isn’t stored) or an altar with the blessed sacrament. That almost always mean the tabernacle.

So for an empty altar, we you should do is bow to it, respecting that it is where God will turn the species into body and blood of christ.

btw there are two types of bowing actually. A light bow indicates respect and greeting, as it is done in the “peace” bit, or when altar servers next to the celebrant leaves him in the sanctuary. A profound (deep) bow is done the more holy things (if you will…), such as altar, the large cruxifix (especially on good friday), and people when censing of recieving incense.

 

[thomas_jd]

In most churches there are three aisles that led to the pews >some have more>.
A genuflection, right knee, is required only in the aisle that directly faces the tabernacle.
Those in the other aisles genuflect out of respect upon arriving and exiting their pew.
All are required to genuflect when passing the tabernacle except during the mass.
That would pose a tripping hazard for those that receive Holy Communion.

 

[Barbkw]

Can someone explain what is meant by left-flank genuflection?

Turning one’s body - up to 90 degrees - to the left while genuflecting.

Left and right flank are marching terms used in military formations.

youtube.com/watch?v=yMcGgHB-PVE&feature=related

When a commander yells, “Left Flank” to a platoon, he/she is preparing the group to simultaneously pivot on the ball of their left foot 90 degrees toward the left.

 

[paperwight66]

. Also, during the Eucharist liturgy the consecrated hosts are brought in procession down the aisle and then returned in a very reverent manner. .

Just a little reminder. Most likely it was a slip of the tongue, but the altar-breads brought up in the offertory procession are NOT consecrated. They are just bread. They only become consecrated with the words of consecration during the Mass.

 

[Phemie]

Just a little reminder. Most likely it was a slip of the tongue, but the altar-breads brought up in the offertory procession are NOT consecrated. They are just bread. They only become consecrated with the words of consecration during the Mass.

Based on the post, I thought the poster was referring to the ciborium being retrieved from the tabernacle in the Adoration chapel before Communion and returned to it afterward.

I have to admit, that as much as it’s not recommended, I don’t think I’ve ever attended Mass in a single parish where the previously consecrated Hosts were not retrieved from the Tabernacle at the Fraction Rite and placed on the altar for use at that Mass - it was done even at the Cathedral yesterday.

 

[thequeen]

Oh man I can identify with this post The priest we used to have was real liberal never spoke of staying true to the one true faith he moved the tabernacle to a seperate room because some of his wealthy friends said that it offended them and even took out our statues he finally retired when i hear that he was retiring the first words out of my mouth was wheres the champagne to celebrate anyway we have a priest who is one of the bishops that was elected this past year and he is much more conservative and holds up the magisterium of the church we now have our tabernacle in the adoration chapek where it belongs and he is working on getting our statues back

 

[FAB]

I am also uncomfortable genuflecting or bowing to an empty altar before or after Mass, because no Tabernacle is there. The genuflecting or bowing is for Our Lord.

I do prefer Churches where the Tabernacle is visible so all can honor Jesus.

Consecrated Hosts are kept in the Tabernacle.

Before mass it is proper the reverence the altar. It is the center for the mass, the place of the sacrafic. The preist and deacons don’t kiss the tabernacle they kiss the altar.

 

[KimberlyAnn0218]

This is what the GIRM says about genuflections and bows:

Holy cow I am doing this all wrong! I am aconvert and learn by watching. OUr parish has the tabernacle off the back, near a window. I see people genuflect there. I am apaarrently using the wrong knee, too. So, I should bow to the altar when getting in the pew since there is no tablernacle at the altar?

Yikes I meant no disrespect ever…

 

[Phemie]

Holy cow I am doing this all wrong! I am aconvert and learn by watching. OUr parish has the tabernacle off the back, near a window. I see people genuflect there. I am apaarrently using the wrong knee, too. So, I should bow to the altar when getting in the pew since there is no tablernacle at the altar?

Yikes I meant no disrespect ever…

I don’t really think anyone means any disrespect, they simply don’t know better.

If the Tabernacle is at the back when you come in, you genuflect to it as you walk by and bow to the altar before you enter your pew. Our Tabernacle has always been in the sanctuary, although it has moved from one side of the altar to the other and finally right behind the altar. Personally, I thought it was more prominent when it was to the right of the altar and pulled forward almost level with the altar; you couldn’t miss it when you walked in. Now 10’ or so behind the altar and almost level with it, it’s nowhere near as visible.

 

[paperwight66]

Based on the post, I thought the poster was referring to the ciborium being retrieved from the tabernacle in the Adoration chapel before Communion and returned to it afterward.

.

Oops, yes, I see that now. Apologies. It was the ‘bringing down the aisle’ bit that led me to jump to the wrong conclusion.

 

[kristilynne]

Just a little reminder. Most likely it was a slip of the tongue, but the altar-breads brought up in the offertory procession are NOT consecrated. They are just bread. They only become consecrated with the words of consecration during the Mass.

Perhaps I wasn’t clear because I’m still not always sure of which words to use. Please forgive me, I’m still learning and certainly do not intend to be irreverent or disrespectful. I did not mean the altar-breads (I haven’t heard that term), but the consecrated hosts reserved in the tabernacle. After the words of consecration are spoken, and as the EMoHC gather, two of them go to the Tabernacle and bring the consecrated hosts. The person holds the container (again, I don’t know the term) high as he brings it to the altar. These are used, along with the hosts consecrated during that Mass, in the distribution of Holy Communion. When the distribution is complete, the container is filled again with the hosts that will be reserved in the Tabernacle and it is taken back to the Tabernacle in a similar manner. During both of these times, the congregation is kneeling. Does that help?

 

[kristilynne]

Oops, yes, I see that now. Apologies. It was the ‘bringing down the aisle’ bit that led me to jump to the wrong conclusion.

Ah, there’s those words I was searching for! My Catholic vocabulary is still growing!

 

[Bonnie]

Our parish is modern ugly with the Tabernacle to the left of the altar. I’ve noticed over the years that many people have stopped genuflecting or even bowing when coming into the church or when leaving. Lately I’ve noticed young adults not even facing the front of the church, but the side exit while genuflecting!

On the other hand, more people are making a profound bow or genuflecting before receiving the Holy Communion.

 

[papa_k]

On Good Friday when we come in for the evening liturgy and the altar is bare, tabernacle open and empty, candles extinguished, I don’t bow or genuflect, just sit down. Reason: there is no Eucharist.

The distinction appears not to be made by anyone else. Maybe it’s just me, and I am the one doing it wrong. Who knows.

 

[Phemie]

On Good Friday when we come in for the evening liturgy and the altar is bare, tabernacle open and empty, candles extinguished, I don’t bow or genuflect, just sit down. Reason: there is no Eucharist.

The distinction appears not to be made by anyone else. Maybe it’s just me, and I am the one doing it wrong. Who knows.

No, you’re right, but if you’re used to genuflecting it can be a reflex. I knew full well that the Blessed Sacrament wasn’t there on Good Friday & at the beginning of the Vigil but by force of habit I genuflected and then said to myself “Now, why did you do that today?” Of course I’ve been know to genuflect while taking my seat at the movies.

 

[GKCT]

You are never genuflecting to “nothing”. Even if there is no Eucharist present, you are not doing anything terribly wrong. When there is no Eucharist present, we bow to the consecrated altar where the sacrifce of the Mass is offered. On Good Friday, most of us bowed before the altar.

When the Eucharist is exposed, we kneel on both knees before entering the pew.

We should always offer some respect to the Man who sacrificed his life for us.

We have a church bulletin, I sure wish they would advise on proper procedures for a variety of things.