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wicky76
Guest
Do you do it towards the alter, tabernacle, crucifix? Is it required? Such as at the end of pews? And if so when else is it required?
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Phemie
Guest
Normally the reason to genuflect when you come into the church is because of the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. We were even taught that when the sanctuary lamp was extinguished, indicating that the Blessed Sacrament wasn’t there – i.e. Good Friday and Holy Saturday – there was no need to genuflect.
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brotherhrolf
Guest
In and out of the pew because you are in the presence of the Eucharist. Anytime one passes in front of the tabernacle. Since the tabernacle is now on the side of the altar, we bow towards the altar and crucifix - don’t know if it is really necessary but I do it anyway in remembrance that the tabernacle was once squarely behind the altar.
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
It’s required in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and we always genuflect facing towards the tabernacle.
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peary
Guest
One genuflects in the direction of the holy Tabernacle, wherever that might be in the church. As far as I know, it is still a requirement in the sense that it shows reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. Many churches have placed the Tabernacle in a special room, in which case, the need to genuflect to the altar is not necessary, or may not be required at all.
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ClaireS
Guest
During the celebration of mass one bows toward the altar because it is a symbol of Christ. At least, that is what I was told as a reader.
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stbruno
Guest
We genuflect because of our KIng being present. Christ the King.
Wouldn’t you do the same in the presence of any earthly king. Ladies curtsie and men bow. Well, at the presence of Christ our King…every knee must bow and every tongue proclaim…that Jesus Christ is Lord and King.
The gestures from the GIRM, the general instructions of the Roman Missal include at the time of the entrance procession, those in the procession are, bowing to the altar and kneeling in the direction of the tabernacle. I wonder how they do it in churches where the tabernacle is apart from the main body of the church?
Wouldn’t you do the same in the presence of any earthly king. Ladies curtsie and men bow. Well, at the presence of Christ our King…every knee must bow and every tongue proclaim…that Jesus Christ is Lord and King.
The gestures from the GIRM, the general instructions of the Roman Missal include at the time of the entrance procession, those in the procession are, bowing to the altar and kneeling in the direction of the tabernacle. I wonder how they do it in churches where the tabernacle is apart from the main body of the church?
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John_Lilburne
Guest
A genuflection to the crucifix is required on these days.
From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :
“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.”
So when to genuflect? Generally on entering and when passing before the blessed sacrament (unless in procession, such as a Communion procession).
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sphilomena
Guest
This is covered in the Ceremonial of Bishops, I believe, on which books like Mass Confusion are based. Another excellent book is by Elliott, Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite. These are great resources which tell you where the answers are found. We genuflect before the tabernacle b/c of the Real Presence, and we bow before the “altar of sacrifice”. Of course the Catechism of Trent says that to say you don’t genuflect before the tabernacle is to be anathema.
If we still had the tabernacle where it should be, front and center, there would be a lot less confusion IMHO. Where the tabernacle is out of sight, I like to genuflect in that direction.
If we still had the tabernacle where it should be, front and center, there would be a lot less confusion IMHO. Where the tabernacle is out of sight, I like to genuflect in that direction.
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janw
Guest
I became catholic after watching ewtn for years and I really like the way most of the people genuflect in procession to communion. I’ve only been to 3 parishes and no one does this. I have a lot to learn as I’m still in rcia but it seems that would be the time to genuflect for sure since you are right in front of and about to receive the Lord. I would like to do this when I am able to receive communion, but since it seems no one else does, I’m afraid this would be incorrect or cause a problem. If this is not proper, then why do most at mass on ewtn do this? If it takes a few minutes longer, why be in a hurry as this our most important moment with God.:bowdown2:
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Mattjolley
Guest
I always genuflect towards the Altar before walking down to my pew, then before entering my pew, and on my way out of it. Also, I genuflect once again at the end of the aisle at the back of the church, (towards the Altar) as I did when i came into the church, when I’m leaving.
I don’t know if the genuflecting is required at the back of the church, but its always my first and last action, well, first comes the holy water then i go to my seat, but you know what I mean
I think its just important to remember where our Lord is in the church, from the moment we enter it to the moment we leave
Matt
I don’t know if the genuflecting is required at the back of the church, but its always my first and last action, well, first comes the holy water then i go to my seat, but you know what I mean
I think its just important to remember where our Lord is in the church, from the moment we enter it to the moment we leave
Matt
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Phemie
Guest
I genuflect on entering and leaving my pew. If I’m in church outside of Mass (my job pretty much guarantees I’m in the church at least a couple of times a day) I genuflect on entering and leaving and if I cross in front of the tabernacle.
We are not supposed to genuflect while in the communion procession and, although I’m not supposed to notice, I always wonder at those who genuflect to the empty tabernacle on their way back to their pew but blithely ignore the Chalice with the Blood of Christ as they walk in front of it.
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NetNuncio
Guest
Genuflection is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament and for the Cross on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. If the tabernacle in your parish is in another room and you are reverencing the altar or the crucifix (on any day but Holy Saturday or Good Friday) it isn’t only unnecessary for you to genuflect, but also inappropriate.
Now before everyone jumps all over me and starts asking how it could be inappropriate to do reverence to the Lord’s cross or the altar of sacrifice, know that I would never begrudge you that personal act of piety. However, don’t you think there’s a difference between the symbol of the Lord, the symbol of his cross and his very body, blood, soul and divinity? Surely, if there is, greater reverence should be paid to his true presence.
Adam
Now before everyone jumps all over me and starts asking how it could be inappropriate to do reverence to the Lord’s cross or the altar of sacrifice, know that I would never begrudge you that personal act of piety. However, don’t you think there’s a difference between the symbol of the Lord, the symbol of his cross and his very body, blood, soul and divinity? Surely, if there is, greater reverence should be paid to his true presence.
Adam
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Britt
Guest
I agree with Adam. Genuflecting to the alter is not appropriate, however, a bow to the alter is appropriate. This is what we are instructed to do in our parish, though most people still genuflect to the alter.
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baltobetsy
Guest
The standard reverence to be shown in the Communion line is a bow. In some places, like EWTN, it has become customary to genuflect, and people expect it when they attend Mass there. In places where the bow is observed, few people are expecting the person in front of them to genuflect, and doing so may cause a safety hazard. Bear in mind that the bow is always legitimate, because that’s what our bishops have decided, and the sacrifice of our own pious desires for the sake of obedience is very pleasing to God.
Betsy
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