Genuflexion & Bowing

[FightingFat]

I’ve been Catholic all my life. I read regularly at mass and always walk to the altar, bow and then go to the lecturn to read. When I finish, again, I turn and bow and return to my seat. When I enter the Church I always genuflect before I sit in my pew.

I’m sure my Mummy taught me to genuflect to the blessed sacrament in the Tabernacle, when I genuflect I say to myself “Jesus I adore you”. I genuflect everytime I pass the Tabernacle.

This Sunday, as I walked onto the altar, I wondered if I was bowing to the Blessed Sacrament, or the Priest- what I mean is, I always thought I was bowing to Jesus in the Tabernacle, but what if I am actually supposed to be showing deference to the Priest?

Do I genuflect when I go onto the altar? Do I genuflect to Jesus and bow to the Priest? Do I make sure that I am bowing to Jesus???

Hmmmmm…I figured I would check with you guys as you know just about everything!!!

 

[Randy_Carson]

I’ve been Catholic all my life. I read regularly at mass and always walk to the altar, bow and then go to the lecturn to read. When I finish, again, I turn and bow and return to my seat. When I enter the Church I always genuflect before I sit in my pew.

I’m sure my Mummy taught me to genuflect to the blessed sacrament in the Tabernacle, when I genuflect I say to myself “Jesus I adore you”. I genuflect everytime I pass the Tabernacle.

This Sunday, as I walked onto the altar, I wondered if I was bowing to the Blessed Sacrament, or the Priest- what I mean is, I always thought I was bowing to Jesus in the Tabernacle, but what if I am actually supposed to be showing deference to the Priest?

Do I genuflect when I go onto the altar? Do I genuflect to Jesus and bow to the Priest? Do I make sure that I am bowing to Jesus???

Hmmmmm…I figured I would check with you guys as you know just about everything!!!

You may bow or genuflect - the choice is yours. Most people genuflect so you may feel more comfortable by not appearing different.

I know a Trappist Monastery in Massachusetts where the monks always bow and never genuflect. If you bow, it should be a “profound bow” - in other words, deep from the waist and not a nod of the head.

“Randy’s Rules” state that you bow or genuflect when the Blessed Sacrament is present. Just sit quietly when it is not.

I do not bow to the altar but to the Sacrament that makes the altar holy. I do not bow or genuflect to a priest.

However, if I was in a receivng line to mee the Pope (or the Queen of England), I would genuflect as is appropriate for their office.

 

[kleary]

Why is it that some bow instead of genuflect? I would really like to know this because at my parish- one that is under the Ecclesia Dei Indult- no one is to bow at any time in reverence to the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle - they are to genuflect.

So where is the change in rubrics for this? I would really like to know, lady lay reader…why is it you bow instead of genuflect, and can you cite for us this rubric from the current GIRM?

Ken

 

[FightingFat]

Why is it that some bow instead of genuflect? I would really like to know this because at my parish- one that is under the Ecclesia Dei Indult- no one is to bow at any time in reverence to the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle - they are to genuflect.

So where is the change in rubrics for this? I would really like to know, lady lay reader…why is it you bow instead of genuflect, and can you cite for us this rubric from the current GIRM?

Ken

I read that it was Eastern Rite that bow…Don’t know if anyone can confirm this…

 

[Nicene]

Dunno about bowing, but genuflecting:

Phil 2:9: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name,
10: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Rev 5:8: And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints;
9: and they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10: and hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth.”
11: Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,
12: saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
13: And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, “To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!”
14: And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

So I genuflect to Christ.

More of the Mass is in Hebrews. Don’t you just love the Mass in scripture?

Peace and God Bless
Nicene

 

[Ghosty]

Bowing is the norm in the Byzantine Rite, IIRC. I’ve seen full prostrations in Ethiopian churches.

In the Latin Church, it’s my understanding that we are to bow to the altar, and genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament/Tabernacle. At my church, where the Tabernacle is in a side area, I both bow to the altar and genuflect to the Tabernacle, and bow when passing the altar and genuflect when passing the Tabernacle.

Peace and God bless!

 

[FightingFat]

Oh hang on…Bowing to the ALTAR now? Why do you do that Ghosty???

 

[Ghosty]

Oh hang on…Bowing to the ALTAR now? Why do you do that Ghosty???

That’s what I’ve been taught to do at my parish. It also appears to be the norm elsewhere as well, as I found this from a Q&A:

The genuflection is an act of reverence to the reserved Blessed Sacrament. When the Sacrament is reserved in another place (as it is here at St. Paul) the genuflection is not necessary. A bow to the altar, however, is in order for two reasons. First of all, the altar, in the context of liturgy, is the symbol of Christ, upon whom our sacramental life is grounded. Secondly, to bow is a reminder to us that we are in a sacred space and about to take part in something quite holy.

I’ve been taught that it is the proper form of reverence to the Altar of Sacrifice, and that is reflected in the Q&A as well.

God bless!

 

[FightingFat]

Cool, OK that makes sense, thanks!!