Genuflection versus Bow

[HenryV]

Why is it that genuflection is omitted by some in the Roman rite and bows take its place?

 

[Sure]

When in procession and carrying something, one bows instead of genuflects. At the beginning and end of Mass the priest genuflects to the tabernacle. During Mass the priest genuflects after the elevation of the Host, the elevation of the chalice and before Communion. The bows are done toward the Altar during the Mass when moving through the sanctuary.

 

[johnknoesel]

Here is the full skinny as I was instructed and should be followed.

The only time you genuflect is when the precious body and blood are in the tabernacle or you are in the presence of the precious body and blood. IE… when you enter the sanctuary and the candle at the tabernacle is lit then you would genuflect, when you go up for communion you may genuflect to the Eucharist. If you are going up to the altar or ambo for lectionery duty then you would genuflect to the precious body and blood. Just remember the proper form is if the precious body and blood is in the sanctuary or you are in the presence then genuflect. If your church does not have a tabernacle in the sanctuary then you would bow to the altar. That is it, just remember that is Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. Oh also if you are an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and you have the the precious body or blood you do not genuflect to the tabernacle Christ does not kneel or bow to himself.

 

[anamchara]

When in procession and carrying something, one bows instead of genuflects. At the beginning and end of Mass the priest genuflects to the tabernacle. During Mass the priest genuflects after the elevation of the Host, the elevation of the chalice and before Communion. The bows are done toward the Altar during the Mass when moving through the sanctuary.

Was the OP talking about priests? Or parishioners? I think there is a difference.

Here is what our parish recently wrote up for us about bowing.

"

We should bow when the three Divine Persons are named together (in a prayer)
And at the name of Jesus
And at the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
And at the name of the Saint in whose honor Mass is being Celebrated
Those who bring the gifts at the offertory after handing the gifts to the priest should bow the head before returning to their seats.
A bow of the body:
All should bow during the Creed at the words “by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the virgin Mary, and became man”

There is a lot more instruction we received on genuflecting and bowing but I’m not going to write all that up. I just thought this part was interesting. I didn’t know this.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

if you are in an Eastern Rite (fully Catholic though) church, you never genuflect, but do a profound bow that’s a little involved.

If you are in a Western Rite church, and your knees are bad, and you’re getting older to the point where you might not get up again if you genuflect, you bow because that’s the best you can give our Lord until you see Him face-to-face.

 

[AJV]

Why is it that genuflection is omitted by some in the Roman rite and bows take its place?

In some countries, the bishops have determined to replace the genuflection with the bow as being more “culturally appropriate”.

India, for example. I was recently going through some old issues of the publication of the Archdiocese of Bombay (The Examiner) when this change was implemented in the 1990’s and the controversy in the Letters to the Editor (which went on for approx. a year) was as hot as these boards sometimes get on the more controversial issues. I also remember reading that in the CBCI (i.e. the Indian bishops conference) there was firm division among the bishops about this issue in the 70’s (or was it the 80’s? Can’t remember)

Although I can see a profound bow being as reverential as genuflection, my difficulty at times with it is that the angle of the bow goes on decreasing until people are just nodding their heads.