genuflecting

  • Thread starter Thread starter inmaddfox
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I

inmaddfox

Guest
Correct me if I’m wrong, but as far as I know, the proper way to show reverance to our Lord is to genuflect,not bow. I thought the rule was, that if you are physically able you need to genuflect.
 
You are correct. When you come across the Blessed Sacrament at any time, you genuflect of out reverence. The way I was taught is that bows are acceptable when you have something in your hand (e.g.: an altar server carrying the processional crucifix or candle) or something else that would make genuflecting problematic. If you have some sort of disability that makes genuflecting difficult, only a bow is needed.
 
inmaddfox said:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but as far as I know, the proper way to show reverance to our Lord is to genuflect,not bow. I thought the rule was, that if you are physically able you need to genuflect.
Click to expand...
Well, that depends on whether or not the people are moving in procession.

*Genuflections and Bows

*274. A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the Holy Cross from the solemn adoration during the liturgical celebration on Good Friday until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.

During Mass, three genuflections are made by the priest celebrant: namely, after the showing of the host, after the showing of the chalice, and before Communion. Certain specific features to be observed in a concelebrated Mass are noted in their proper place (cf. above, nos. 210-251).

If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is present in the sanctuary, the priest, the deacon, and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from it, but not during the celebration of Mass itself.

Otherwise all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession.

Ministers carrying the processional cross or candles bow their heads instead of genuflecting.
  1. A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to the persons themselves or to the signs that represent them. There are two kinds of bows: a bow of the head and a bow of the body.

  1. *]A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honor Mass is being celebrated.

    *]A bow of the body, that is to say a profound bow, is made to the altar; during the prayers Munda cor meum (Almighty God, cleanse my heart) and In spiritu humilitatis (Lord God, we ask you to receive); in the Creed at the words Et incarnatus est (by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . made man); in the Roman Canon at the words Supplices te rogamus (Almighty God, we pray that your angel). The same kind of bow is made by the deacon when he asks for a blessing before the proclamation of the Gospel. In addition, the priest bows slightly as he speaks the words of the Lord at the consecration.
 
Two “blown” knees and age have reduced my reverence to a profound bow.
 
Did you have a specific instance in mind, we might be able to help you?

It is usually correct to genuflect, but there are times when we bow instead (cf. the answers above) e.g. a reader at Mass will bow to the altar as they move towards and away from the lecturn, they will not genuflect even when they pass in front of the tabernacle.
 
Batfink said:
Did you have a specific instance in mind, we might be able to help you?

It is usually correct to genuflect, but there are times when we bow instead (cf. the answers above) e.g. a reader at Mass will bow to the altar as they move towards and away from the lecturn, they will not genuflect even when they pass in front of the tabernacle.
Click to expand...
I’m talking about when people first come in to church and also when they are leaving. Also it seems that people will walk from one side of church to the other without acknowledging Jesus in the Tabernacle.
 
mcmitton said:
Two “blown” knees and age have reduced my reverence to a profound bow.
Click to expand...
I have had total knee replacement, but I still do my best to genuflect. I do need to hang on to something and I get only half way down but I still think its better for me to do this than just to bow. I have 6 grandkids that need not only the example of their parents but also their grandparents. Thats just me
 
inmaddfox said:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but as far as I know, the proper way to show reverance to our Lord is to genuflect,not bow. I thought the rule was, that if you are physically able you need to genuflect.
Click to expand...
Just a footnote that, in the Eastern Churches, we rarely genuflect. Profound bows are the norm, with an occasional prostration thrown in. No kneelers, either. Great for a 66 year old like myself:D
 
I don’t know if the OP was talking about when entering one’s pew, in general, or in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, but the general rule of thumb is that one bows to the altar, and one genuflects to the tabernacle. In our abbey the Blessed Sacrament is in a side chapel so when taking one’s pew one does not genuflect except during adoration when the Blessed Sacrament is on the altar.
 
inmaddfox said:
I’m talking about when people first come in to church and also when they are leaving. Also it seems that people will walk from one side of church to the other without acknowledging Jesus in the Tabernacle.
Click to expand...
OK, let me get this clear for you.

We genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament when entering church. Most people do this next to the pew they are about to enter for sitting.

We genuflect before leaving the church. Usually people do this in an aisle before walking out, but if it’s crowded, you can sneak it in the pew or in a side corner before you exit.

Contrary to post 3, we do NOT genuflect every time we pass the Tabernacle once we’re in church. We only genuflect twice, entering and leaving the church (“hello and goodbye”).

However, if we cross the path of the Tabernacle, for example, a reader or usher or cantor or someone passing out music, you are right that Jesus must be acknowledged!

We stop, stand facing tabernacle, fold hands (unless they are full, which is often the case because people are helping with things), and bow head. The same simple gesture altar boys use. It should not be prolonged or elaborate, but show reverence.

How to genuflect: Lower the right knee, quick touch to ground (if physically able) and immediately rise. Do not bow your head; eyes view the Tabernacle. Do not make the Sign of the Cross.

(FYI, in case you should ever be so fortunate, when meeting the Holy Father, you genuflect on the LEFT knee, to distinguish he is NOT divine like when we genuflect in church.)

At any Mass we can see 1001 variations on the above. Clearly most people are doing what they learned as kids, rightly or wrongly, and others are making some sort of personal statement, some are just sloppy, some are very devout and don’t realize they overdo it. Also, some parishes, due to the Pastor or their history, have proper reverence and so more care is given to genuflecting and bowing. It seems almost as if there is no norm, but what I explained above is correct in the USA for a Novus Ordo parish.
 
Lady_Marchmain said:
Contrary to post 3, we do NOT genuflect every time we pass the Tabernacle once we’re in church. We only genuflect twice, entering and leaving the church (“hello and goodbye”).
*

I do see people genuflect when they pass the tabernacle. The servers definitely do in the EF and I see parishioners do it as well.

I did read somewhere though that you don’t do it during communion to avoid delays.
Click to expand...
 
I have a question. Let’s say we are visiting a church, sightseeing. There is a lot to see and we want to walk around a few times. Do we genuflect every time we cross the Tabernacle or just the first time and then bow afterwards?

I’ve been in this situation many times and never know what to do. I basically genuflect every time, but am I overdoing it?

Thanks.
 
The GIRM only regulates the Mass, and I have not seen any document that regulates genuflections outside of Mass, so I assume that genuflecting when entering and leaving a church is merely pious custom.
 
Lady_Marchmain said:
OK, let me get this clear for you.

Contrary to post 3, we do NOT genuflect every time we pass the Tabernacle once we’re in church. We only genuflect twice, entering and leaving the church (“hello and goodbye”).

WRONG !!!

However, if we cross the path of the Tabernacle, for example, a reader or usher or cantor or someone passing out music, you are right that Jesus must be acknowledged!

Do not bow your head; eyes view the Tabernacle. Do not make the Sign of the Cross.

REALLY !!!

My problem is with all the bowing thats going on. If in doubt genuflect.I understand that when the Tabernicle isn’t front and center the direction may be differant. My daughters Church has a chapel just off the narthex, just before entering the church proper. The Tabernacle is in the Chapel. This is where in this case you should genuflect.
I have served at Mass since 1956, taking time out for a year in Viet Nam, plus 4 more years elsewhere, then raising my kids, now I’m back serving Mass during the week. Parish Council, Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Comminion, and the Liturgy committee, plus help with the Church’s yard work.
Ya know, I don’t think anything as far as showing adoration to God has changed, only in the minds of those that think it isn’t important. Someone on this thread said not to over do it. A non-Catholic said that if he believed what Catholics are supposed to believe, he would crawl into Church on his hands and knees.
Fox
Click to expand...
 
These are the instructions we were given by our priest for teaching the kids in CCE:

You genuflect facing the tabernacle when you pass it or when you are entering your pew.

You go down on the right knee.

You make a reverent (not sloppy) sign of the Cross.

You rise.

You proceed to where you are going.

Same thing when you leave.

When you are moving around in Church, you genuflect whenever you pass the tablernacle. This doesn’t count during Mass. We don’t genuflect when we go to Communion, for example. This often comes up when we are decorating the Church or when we are moving CCE kids around to sit with their respective classes.

We did have **one **priest tell us not to make the Sign of the Cross. Our pastor used a very bad word when we told him about that. :eek:
 
The GIRM says not to genuflect when moving in procession. It doesn’t say not to genuflect while Mass is going on. If you get out of your seat to go to the restroom, you are supposed to genuflect when entering and leaving.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top