Genuflection

[Harpazo]

As far as my research goes, genuflection is a sign of respect. I’ve heard some sources say that Catholics genuflect to the tabernacle, while others have said that it is toward the Crucifix. The parish I have been attending, I noticed Catholics genuflecting toward the Crucifix. If this is the case, would it be proper to genuflect to a Crucifix anywhere, even in a home? My grandmother left a fairly large Crucifix that can be hung on the wall, for me when she passed away 5 years ago. Please be patient with me, I’m new in the Catholic scene. Thanks in advance

In Christ,

Andrew

 

[MonicaC]

Harpazo:

As far as my research goes, genuflection is a sign of respect. I’ve heard some sources say that Catholics genuflect to the tabernacle, while others have said that it is toward the Crucifix. The parish I have been attending, I noticed Catholics genuflecting toward the Crucifix. If this is the case, would it be proper to genuflect to a Crucifix anywhere, even in a home? My grandmother left a fairly large Crucifix that can be hung on the wall, for me when she passed away 5 years ago. Please be patient with me, I’m new in the Catholic scene. Thanks in advance

In Christ,

Andrew

Hello andrew,

You should always genuflect to the Tabernacle because our Lord is truely present there. I think it is probably only right to bow to a crucifix. Maybe someone else can say more on this

Monica

 

[tee_eff_em]

This timely (emphasis added) advice comes from the GIRM

1. 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.

tee

 

[Fidelis]

When inside a Catholic Church, we genuflect toward the Tabernacle when it is visible and the Real Presence is there.

We bow to the altar when ever we pass before it (the exception being if you are working in the sanctuary where you have to pass before it repeatedly. If that’s the case, once when arriving and once when leaving suffices).

The people you see may be bowing toward the altar rather than the crucifix. Having said that, it would not be wrong to do as a private devotion.

 

[IanS]

MonicaC:

Hello andrew,

You should always genuflect to the Tabernacle because our Lord is truely present there. I think it is probably only right to bow to a crucifix. Maybe someone else can say more on this

Monica

It is appropriate to bow to the altar and genuflect to the tabernacle, if the Blessed Sacrament is in it. If the tabernacle is behind the altar you would genuflect once to the altar and tabernacle. It is usually not necessary to bow or genuflect to a crucifix or cross. One exception would be when we venerate the cross on Good Friday.

 

[ChristsSoldier]

Hi Andrew.
Welcome!
Genuflecting to the Tabernacle, when the Lord is present, is a sign of respect.
Genuflecting to a crucifix would be genuflecting to wood and metal, not much reason to show wood and metal that level of respect I would think…

Next question:
How do you know when the Lord is present in the Tabernacle?

Very close to the tabernacle is a candle (normally in red glass). If the candle is lit, the consecrated host is present in the tabernacle.

Genuflecting or bowing to the alter is probally a hold over from when all alters used to contain relics, I would thinbk - but I’m sure someone here will know more about that.

When I was a child and constantly asking if we could leave mass yet, my father would say “You see the red light up there? When it turns green, we can go.” …of course this was followed with constantly asking “Is it green yet??”


Be Blessed!
CS

 

[Todd_Easton]

A similar question appeared on the Q&A Forum at EWTN. Here is their expert’s reply.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Harpazo:

As far as my research goes, genuflection is a sign of respect. I’ve heard some sources say that Catholics genuflect to the tabernacle, while others have said that it is toward the Crucifix. The parish I have been attending, I noticed Catholics genuflecting toward the Crucifix. If this is the case, would it be proper to genuflect to a Crucifix anywhere, even in a home? My grandmother left a fairly large Crucifix that can be hung on the wall, for me when she passed away 5 years ago. Please be patient with me, I’m new in the Catholic scene. Thanks in advance

In Christ,

Andrew

We genuflect only to Christ present in the taberncale. We bow to the crucifix.

 

[slyboots]

This probably seems trivial to some but it is an issue for me.
I cannot seem to genuflect on my right knee. I have tried numerous times to get myself into the habit of doing so. But my left knee automatically bends when I am at the pew about to be seated or leaving the sanctuary.
And as others have said, I bow to the altar and genuflect to Jesus in the tabernacle.
no one has ever commented on it to me or anything but I wondered if it is a real issue.

 

[Joe_Gloor]

I believe the basis for genuflection comes from the Bible:

Romans 14:11
It is written:
" ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.’ "

Philipians 2:9
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah 45:22
"Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.
By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.

 

[thistle]

I always smile when I see “every knee should bow”. Is that really a correct translation?
For me knees bend (not bow) and heads bow!

 

[Joan_M]

slyboots:

This probably seems trivial to some but it is an issue for me.
I cannot seem to genuflect on my right knee. I have tried numerous times to get myself into the habit of doing so. But my left knee automatically bends when I am at the pew about to be seated or leaving the sanctuary.
And as others have said, I bow to the altar and genuflect to Jesus in the tabernacle.
no one has ever commented on it to me or anything but I wondered if it is a real issue.

Yes, actually, it is a real issue. We genuflect on the right knee to the Tabernacle. We genuflect on the left knee if we are meeting the Pope. Don’t ask me where I read this - I can’t remember!

 

[Holland]

I am not getting this conversation at all. The Tabernacle in our church is in the front of the church to the right of the altar and Crucifix. I genuflect every time I enter and leave the church no matter where I am at. I know He is up there, to the right, even if I can barely see the Taberncacle. Is this a deal where if you are X number of feet away from the Tabernacle you bow instead of genuflect or what?

 

[slyboots]

Holland:

I am not getting this conversation at all. The Tabernacle in our church is in the front of the church to the right of the altar and Crucifix. I genuflect every time I enter and leave the church no matter where I am at. I know He is up there, to the right, even if I can barely see the Taberncacle. Is this a deal where if you are X number of feet away from the Tabernacle you bow instead of genuflect or what?

Our tabernacle is up a fight of stairs away from the altar in the blessed sacrament chapel. There is a large round window in front of the tabernacle so we can always see it. And the 'presence" lamp hangs in the Church right outside of the window.
So we genuflect towards Jesus in the adoration chapel and bow in reverence to the altar separately.
Yeah, I know…I wish it was different too.

 

[kleary]

In my parish (TLM) we genuflect towards the Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle on the Altar.

However when the Blessed Sacrament is not on the Altar everyone except the priest genuflects toward the crucifix. The priest bows.

(with the exception of the crucifer [cross bearer] and acolytes [altar boys carrying the candles] - they bow and never genuflect because the cross never kneels even when the Blessed Sacrament is on the altar.)

Ken