Genuflecting--When NOT to do it--

[concerneduser]

I have a question for anyone out there:
I attend church at a public university. Of course there are only ‘spiritual centers’, and the hosts are not held up by the alter/ tabernacle. Therefore since I am not in the presence of the host/ jesus, is it improper to genuflect when entering and leaving church?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I think the question is what you would be genuflecting to if the Blessed Sacrament is not present. If you’re reverencing the altar a bow is appropriate.

 

[EasterJoy]

We don’t genuflect to the tabernacle. When the Blessed Sacrament is present in the tabernacle, which is usually signified by a lit sanctuary light near it, then we genuflect before the Blessed Sacrament.

When passing before a dedicated altar, we show reverence with a profound bow, solemnly bending the upper body from the waist (as opposed to a simple bow, which is a solemn bow of the head).

When the Blessed Sacrament is not in a tabernacle immediately behind the altar, in which case a genuflection is sufficient to show reverence for both, then the reverence proper to each is shown when one passes before each. Even if the Blessed Sacrament is not held in repose, it is proper to bow to the altar.

What I don’t know is whether a fixed altar that is used for Mass but is not dedicated solely to Catholic worship is reverenced when the altar is not in use for Catholic services. I know that a table that has been used in the past for Mass does not receive that reverence, as it is not a dedicated altar. My impression is that an altar is only dedicated if it is truly going to be reserved for the Sacrifice of the Mass alone, and if it is not, it is treated as one would treat a table used for a Mass. The table has to be of noble material, it may even look like any other altar, but it is not consecrated by use only. (If it is dedicated, it should not be used for anything else whatsoever, including non-Catholic Christian liturgies.) Likewise with a sanctuary that is not dedicated for Catholic liturgy. A gym that is sometimes used for Mass doesn’t become a church.

But with regards to fixed altars in chapels that other groups are allowed to use, that is a guess. If the altar is dedicated, it shouldn’t be used for anything else. That doesn’t mean it isn’t.

Bows and genuflection aside, I think that maintaining a quiet proper to a place of prayer and an attitude of respect for the use to which the space is dedicated is admirable even in a Protestant or interdenominational church, whether or not quiet is widely observed. It does no disservice to Catholic churches to treat every church as a place set aside for the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. On the contrary, I think that it reflects well on the Catholic Church if Catholics show the respect of maintaining a prayerful attitude in every space set aside for prayer. Neither does it hurt to make a Sign of the Cross to remind yourself of your baptism when you enter and leave, even if there is no altar to bow to and the Blessed Sacrament isn’t present, as the gesture of the Sign of the Cross is proper throughout our days, inside church and out.

 

[roveau]

My rule is that if the Blessed Sacrament is present on the altar or in the tabernale (watch for the red sanctuary light) I genuflect. If there is no Blessed Sacrament present (no light near the altar) then I give a medium bow.

 

[Cluny]

My rule is that if the Blessed Sacrament is present on the altar or in the tabernale (watch for the red sanctuary light) I genuflect. If there is no Blessed Sacrament present (no light near the altar) then I give a medium bow.

Strictly speaking, the lamp buring before the Reserved Sacrament is supposed to be white or clear, though red is customary–probably because it’s more visible.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Easter Joy nailed it. We are genuflecting before Christ reserved in the tabernacle. If there is no tabernacle (or it is empty), there is no need to genuflect. If the altar is simply a table being used for the purpose, or is not consecrated, we don’t even have to reverenace the altar.

For the OP, wheneve I attended Mass at Uni in a classroom (yes!) or ‘spiritual center’, we did not genuflect or bow. We simply came in quietly and began our private prayers while we waited for Mass to begin.

 

[Langdell]

Concerned – Thanks for starting this thread. I’m learning a lot!
.

 

[EasterJoy]

It is not as widely known as it should be that if kneelers are not available, those who can’t manage kneeling on whatever floor type is available (or chooses not to, out of deference to elderly or infirm at the same Mass who cannot or probably should not attempt to kneel on hard flooring), should stand for the Eucharistic Prayer and make a profound bow when the priest genuflects to the Blessed Sacrament after each of the elevations. (One does not sit at that time unless one cannot kneel or stand; if one has to sit, one can make a simple bow (that is, a solemn bow of the head), if one can…the idea being that we solemnly acknowledge the elevation of the Blessed Sacrament in some way, if we are at all able.)

Also, the profound bow given for the Incarnation during the Creed is replaced by genuflection on the two feasts of the Incarnation: Christmas and the Feast of the Annuciation (March 25).

 

[KJS]

Wow, this is a really helpful thread for me, being a relatively recent convert. Thanks for the concise summary.

 

[StevenDunn]

Strictly speaking, the lamp buring before the Reserved Sacrament is supposed to be white or clear, though red is customary–probably because it’s more visible.

I thought red was used to show continuity with pre-Christian Jewish tradition. Even now Jews reserve the law in a tabernacle of sorts with a red candle burning before it, in their own modification and continuation of that same early Jewish tradition.

I’m not absolutely certain, though, and would love some references either way.