I recently began seeing this a new way, somewhat related to your post. I genuflect and wait there, saying to Jesus, “You are my King”. Then I wait there until (in my mind’s voice) I hear him reply, “come sit with me” (if I am coming to Mass) or hear him say, “go in peace”.There is probably a deeper meaning behind using the right side as opposed to the left (like how we use our right hand to do the sign of the cross), but so far as I know it is just the tradition (lowercase T) of how it has been done. I would assume it stems from the Roman Empire and how subjects or soldiers would kneel or bow (or genuflect) before their king.
One is supposed to genuflect whenever one passes before the Blessed Sacrament reposed within a tabernacle (General Instruction of the Roman Missal 233). One is also supposed to give a bow of the body whenever one passes in front of the altar (Ceremonial of Bishops 72).
The former discipline takes precedence over the latter. Thus, if the Blessed Sacrament is in a Tabernacle on or near the altar, one genuflects and does not bow. If there is no tabernacle on or near the altar, or if the tabernacle is empty, one bows to reverence the altar and does not genuflect.
The Church’s laws state that one is supposed to make the appropriate sign of reverence whenever one passes in front of the altar or tabernacle. The exception it makes is for people who are carrying articles in procession (e.g., a cross, a candle, book of the Gospels). These people are not supposed to genuflect or make a bow of the body (Ceremonial of Bishops 70). A bow of the head, on the other hand, would be all right, though the law does not seem to mandate it specifically in this circumstance.
I would assume that the same would apply when carrying something in front of the altar (e.g., cruets, a ciborium, etc.) to avoid the danger of dropping the article or spilling its contents. So if you are carrying something in front of the altar, I would advise you to neither genuflect nor make a bow of the body, but merely a bow of the head. This is especially the case if you are carrying the Lord’s body or blood.
In former years, when Communion rails were common, during distribution of Communion the priest would pass in front of the altar and tabernacle without making a sign of reverence. His back would be turned to them, the tabernacle often would be empty and left open to signify this, and he had Jesus in his hands at the moment, which required his utmost attention and care.
I recently found out that when genuflecting (when getting in and out of a pew), you’re supposed to have your right knee on the ground.
Am I the only one who didn’t know that?[/quotes]
I wish I could say you were, but in a society where there are no secular kings who enforce proper genuflection, there are a great MANY people who are unaware that you are not supposed to genuflect on your left knee.
Oh, and does anyone know why its the right knee and not the left?
The way I heard it, back in the medieval days, you genuflected to your monarch with your left knee touching the ground. To distinguish between your king on earth, and Jesus, the King of Kings, the genuflection before the tabernacle was on the right knee…Oh, and does anyone know why its the right knee and not the left?
It is my understanding that when one is carrying the Sacrament, one is the Tabernacle; so should not make any gesture.…In former years, when Communion rails were common, during distribution of Communion the priest would pass in front of the altar and tabernacle without making a sign of reverence. His back would be turned to them, the tabernacle often would be empty and left open to signify this, and he had Jesus in his hands at the moment, which required his utmost attention and care…
That is correct. For the same reason, the person carrying the crucifix may nod their head, but should not bow, because to do so would be to dip the figure of Christ on the cross. Being that the Blessed Sacrament does not dip in reverence to anyone or anything, the person who is carrying Christ in the Eucharist should never bow or genuflect while carrying the Sacrament. (Think of it the same way as carrying the American Flag, where the US Flag Code states that the flag shall never be dipped in salute to the flag of another nation).It is my understanding that when one is carrying the Sacrament, one is the Tabernacle; so should not make any gesture.