Genuflection gone?

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I know how that is, and it is terrible that we sometimes even have to feel that at Church. I used to be shy about being too respectful in Church around the parish coordinator who prefers to act like there is nothing to be respectful of, but I realized that is wrong.

I used to feel shy about crossing myself after praying when I go out to lunch. Especially since I often go out to eat lunch with business people.

After thinking about it for a bit it really boils down to fidelity to God or to people. Should I worry about pleasing God or pleasing my friends. So now I do it and in the end the discomfort is more in my mind. Why should I be a wimp about my faith?

God Bless
Scylla
 
scylla said:
I know how that is, and it is terrible that we sometimes even have to feel that at Church. I used to be shy about being too respectful in Church around the parish coordinator who prefers to act like there is nothing to be respectful of, but I realized that is wrong.

I used to feel shy about crossing myself after praying when I go out to lunch. Especially since I often go out to eat lunch with business people.

After thinking about it for a bit it really boils down to fidelity to God or to people. Should I worry about pleasing God or pleasing my friends. So now I do it and in the end the discomfort is more in my mind. Why should I be a wimp about my faith?

God Bless
Scylla
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good points Scylla, I suppose my biggest worry is making others uncomfortable. I hate making anyone uncomfortable. But your right, we should be pleasing God not people.
 
scylla said:
No big deal, as you would have done it if you weren’t so focused on being faithful to God, So the greater fidelity won out this time, though both are important.
I am sure there are priests who have stumbled over words at Mass due to their reverence for the Sacrament.

A mistake is not something wrong, unless my mistakes are brought on by a disregard for God or hatred of being faithful.

I have felt bad for not praying before a meal, but then I just pray when I get the chance and resolve to keep God in my thoughts. We shouldn’t get scrupulous.

God Bless
Scylla
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Thanks, I forget prayer before meals too.
 
anamchara said:
Carrie, you are much too hard on yourself 🙂 I have done this kind of thing myself. Next time you go get their earlier and pray before others arrive. I do this when I feel I’ve been too hurried and not paying attention.
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I go on my way to work and I take the bus, it’s supposed to be there about 2:30, but when it’s late I’m huffing and puffing by the time I get to the door. I have a car and I need to get a good job so I can afford the insurance etc., but for now… I’m not really hard on myself at all, it may sound that way though. Thanks for your concern though!!!🙂
 
Carrie_Andrews said:
I go on my way to work and I take the bus, it’s supposed to be there about 2:30, but when it’s late I’m huffing and puffing by the time I get to the door. I have a car and I need to get a good job so I can afford the insurance etc., but for now… I’m not really hard on myself at all, it may sound that way though. Thanks for your concern though!!!🙂
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ok 🙂 no problem. Good luck finding a good job carrrie, I understand how that is.
 
JesuXPIPassio said:
I believe the original poster was referring to genuflection within the context of the Christmas Midnight Mass.

t.
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Actually we are supposed to bow at the incarnation at EVERY mass that the creed is recited at. I have no idea where the idea came from that it was exclusive to Chritamas and annunciation. The norm is to bow or kneel at the incarnation portion of the creed at ALL masses yearlong.
 
On a side note, at Sunday Mass this Sunday, at least the ushers taking up the collection genuflected at the front of church. At least it’s not TOTALLY lost, even if the priest himself never does it.
 
I’ve just been reading this thread… and the wierd thing is… for no apparent reason church of england clergy and members of the church have started genuflecting.

it bewilders many people as it started out of the blue. there’s a definate split between people who don’t mind…and those who are confused by the whole thing lol

It’s quite a conservative area…so this new ‘thing’ is a little bit surprising as it’s so old fashioned and not even from our tradition. very odd 🙂
 
I bow each time I enter or leave a pew and at other times too. The scene I would make with my disabilities to get down to genflect and then get back up is far worse than someone being offended, if theyare, that I bow instead of genuflect. And many religious orders bow or get down on both knees and bow their heads. All are positions of respect to God. People bow to earthly kings; I bow to my Heavenly King. At the monastery where I am a Benedictine Oblate everyone bows.
 
mrs_abbott said:
I guess I should have specified. I’m talking about genuflecting just when entering the pew or when crossing the church and going by the altar. The priest didn’t genuflect ONCE during Mass. 😦
I just didn’t know if any one else was experiencing this at their parishes.
I know that it’s not doctrine or dogma to genuflect but I would think that even if the people weren’t properly instructed to genuflect that at least the priest would.
I guess I was just surprised and shocked when I went to Mass this Christmas and saw absolutely NO ONE genuflect!
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My toddler can go visit your parish and show them how to do it. She gets stared at and so do we but, in time I think it will rub off on people that dont get it.

On a side note: a 90 year old visiting Priest came to our Parish who could barely walk and needed help just standing straight- but he went down on his right knee and popped right up without help in front of the Tabernacle! You would have thought he was a teenager the way he got up so quickly with ease. I dont know why this is not a big thing anymore. It ought to be.
 
Have some questions, they may be stupid so I’ll beg forgiveness in advance. I first started attending mass overseas last year. I noticed everyone genuflected and when I asked I was told it was because back behind the altar (in the tabernacle?) was the consecrated host. Sorry if the terms are wrong but this is exactly how it was explained to me. When I first moved back to the States the parish church I went to, I saw everyone genuflecting so I assumed it was for the same reason. I moved to small town, and to a catholic church which is much different than the other two. Its set up reminds me of the Baptist churches of my youth. Nobody genuflects at mass except for me. Some people do bow, although its really more of just a head nod for most of them. Should I be bowing instead of genuflecting? When should I being bowing during mass? I don’t see anybody in my church bowing during mass, so I’m not sure when I should be doing it. I am in the RCIA process, but our priest isn’t very traditional and kinda of lets things go so I’m trying to figure on my own what I should be doing. Sorry for the kinda of long post, any help that you can give would be nice.

Thanks,
historybrat
 
I have noticed it also … but only in some cases and not in others.

In some cases, when the priest bows instead of genuflecting, it may because ( and this has in some cases been because of personal knowledge) that the priest has such severe arthritis that if he genuflects he won’t be able to get back up.

I have seen younger priests genuflect profoundly after / during the Consecration, for example.

Keep watching. You may see that individual priests have different practices… and it may be, in some cases, due to age and/ or infirmity.

(The first time I saw a priest bow, I was shocked. Later, I found out that he had a “wooden leg” (leg amputated due to diabetes), and couldn’t genuflect.

But watch and see.

It’s a valid question.

(And in a lot of cases, the laity just don’t know how to behave in church.)
 
Damascus said:
My toddler can go visit your parish and show them how to do it. She gets stared at and so do we but, in time I think it will rub off on people that dont get it.

On a side note: a 90 year old visiting Priest came to our Parish who could barely walk and needed help just standing straight- but he went down on his right knee and popped right up without help in front of the Tabernacle! You would have thought he was a teenager the way he got up so quickly with ease. I dont know why this is not a big thing anymore. It ought to be.
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This is so sweet, I think this would have made me seriously puddle up. 🙂
 
Damascus said:
My toddler can go visit your parish and show them how to do it. She gets stared at and so do we but, in time I think it will rub off on people that dont get it.
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On New Years Day, one of my favorite little parishioners, 2 year old Lucy, scooted a bit away from her mommy during the Consecration, only to genuflect and come back with the biggesst smile on her face.

You and your toddler would be right at home in our parish!
 
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