Gesture after mass & leaving pew?

[CB_Catholic]

Carol,
I believed at Exposition and Adoration it is kneeling as you enter the pew or small chapel. This position is very different than genuflection.
Anyone know what the ‘rubric is’ on this?

We have been told that genuflection on one knee is the proper way, that it used to be kneeling on 2 knees, but that no longer is the case. some people still kneel before entering the pew. As to the official document with the rubric, I don’t know, this is what came from the Deacon.

 

[GangGreen]

I see some people do the quasi-genuflection. Kind of go half way down and do a quick sign of the cross and go on their way. Mostly younger people do this.

A lot of people seem to have no idea what they are even genuflecting for. This goes for people of all ages. I see people genuflecting towards the altar before receiving communion (with empty tabernacle), and then they don’t do anything when they walk in front of the Eucharist. I see people who genuflect toward the altar when the tabernacle is off to the side. Some people genuflect facing completely away from everything. It’s sad that there’s not more education for this matter. It’s a simple correction too. You genuflect towards the Eucharist, whether it’s in front of you or in the tabernacle because the Eucharist is Jesus Christ. Plain and simple. The act of reverence towards the altar is actually a bow since that’s where the act of the sacrifice takes place.

 

[POJIUJH]

While we are kind of on the subject, I have been meaning to ask something. My parish church has a side chapel for the tabernacle. The sections around the altar sort of form a semicircle, so if I sit in my “regular” seat, the chapel is straight out from the pew. I can’t quite figure out how to genuflect without completely turning my back to the pew and then turning back around to enter, which feels extremely awkward. Sometimes I actually walk all the way around and come in the pew from the other direction (which puts me facing the tabernacle straight on), just to avoid having to figure out how to genuflect. Is there a “right” way to do it?

I am having difficulty imagining the layout, but what I would do is just turn and genuflect when passing the Tabernacle in any which way - or before sitting even if you haven’t passed in front of it. If it looks awkward that is all the better, these things are good, our bodily dispositions affect our minds (a good old saying is Lex Orandi Lex Credendi - how you pray is how you believe) and this helps remind us and also others of who we are there for.

If you pass directly in front of the altar but where the Tabernacle isn’t behind it, the best form is to genuflect to the Tabernacle no matter where it is, then turn and bow to the altar.

I hope this helps.

 

[msammiem]

Oh, I see!

Uh yes, I’m sorry, the right description is “bending the right knee to the floor”. I’m not an English native so I couldn’t figure out how to describe what I see, I’m so sorry. I just give the word/s that crossed my mind before, and that was, bend / kind of squat. Well, sorry about that.

So the term is ‘genuflection’. Ok, I got that. Wow, I’m so alien to Catholic faith, I’m sorry.

Ask all the questions you want. Most Catholics are more than happy to answer. May I suggest you attend RCIA at your local parish. You will learn so much about the Catholic faith there. It’s a good time of year to check into it as classes are about to start in most parishes.