Head nod

[Conservative]

I honestly don’t know where / when I learned about it but I believe it was after childhood. I always nod my head, if even slightly, at the name of Jesus. As for the Angels, I’d once read that during the Mass the Angels kneel at the “Sanctus, Sanctus” (Offertory)…therefore, why shouldn’t we - I don’t know for sure if it was kneel or bow, now that I’m reading various posts.

 

[holdencaulfield]

Has anyone else witnessed the head nod that some Catholics do when they hear the Name of Jesus? My wife (then girlfriend) was the first person I ever saw doing it, and I’ve gradually picked it up, as well, because I think the sentiment is beautiful.

Does anyone else do it? If so, why?

It seems like more of a Protestant thing, if you ask me.

 

[latinmasslover]

Has anyone else witnessed the head nod that some Catholics do when they hear the Name of Jesus? My wife (then girlfriend) was the first person I ever saw doing it, and I’ve gradually picked it up, as well, because I think the sentiment is beautiful.

Does anyone else do it? If so, why?

“At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bend.”

We can’t always bend the knee simply because our knee will eventually give out, but I like the devotion because it’s a small act (not grand like a genuflection) that shows our love of the Holy Name. I’m not in the habit of doing this yet, but I hope to make it second-nature.

 

[latinmasslover]

It seems like more of a Protestant thing, if you ask me.

Not really, Protestantism isn’t about reverence, it’s about feelings. The Protestant thing to do at the Name of Jesus would be to throw their hands in the air shouting “Praise the Lord!” Not necessarily a bad thing to do, but not very reverential.

 

[latinmasslover]

I honestly don’t know where / when I learned about it but I believe it was after childhood. I always nod my head, if even slightly, at the name of Jesus. As for the Angels, I’d once read that during the Mass the Angels kneel at the “Sanctus, Sanctus” (Offertory)…therefore, why shouldn’t we - I don’t know for sure if it was kneel or bow, now that I’m reading various posts.

We don’t kneel at the Sanctus only in the New Rite; in the Traditional Rite we kneel beginning with the Sanctus and stand again (aside from going to receive Holy Communion) when the priest leaves the altar at the end of Mass. Very appropriate, in my opinion.

 

[holdencaulfield]

Not really, Protestantism isn’t about reverence, it’s about feelings. The Protestant thing to do at the Name of Jesus would be to throw their hands in the air shouting “Praise the Lord!” Not necessarily a bad thing to do, but not very reverential.

Oh yea true lol.

 

[pm1853]

A priest at a TLM commented on this actually. It was on the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus and he gave a rather scathing commentary on Christendom today and how we have lost respect for the name of Jesus. He went on to indicate how, as we’ve lost respect for the Name of Jesus, we’ve started to lose respect for the Person Jesus. He concluded that many Muslims will still generally bow their heads at the name of Jesus, yet Christians won’t even think twice. His sermon was a bit fire-and-brimstone, but it had quite an effect.

 

[holdencaulfield]

A priest at a TLM commented on this actually. It was on the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus and he gave a rather scathing commentary on Christendom today and how we have lost respect for the name of Jesus. He went on to indicate how, as we’ve lost respect for the Name of Jesus, we’ve started to lose respect for the Person Jesus. He concluded that many Muslims will still generally bow their heads at the name of Jesus, yet Christians won’t even think twice. His sermon was a bit fire-and-brimstone, but it had quite an effect.

It does seem to make a bit of sense to me after all.

 

[markadm]

It does seem to make a bit of sense to me after all.

In a manner of speaking a person is their name. Therefore if we can profane the name of God, we profane God.

By the way, I was taught to bow my head at mention of Jesus, or the Trinity, always, period.

 

[AJV]

. He concluded that many Muslims will still generally bow their heads at the name of Jesus, yet Christians won’t even think twice.

They do? I’ve heard them say the usual respectful statements “salla allahu alaihi waasalaam” or "alaihi salaam"and in some books I’ve seen “RA” (Radhiallahu anhu) after the name, but none I’ve met have bowed their heads

 

[catharina]

I’m 62 yrs old and was taught (at Church and at home) to bow my head at the Name of Jesus and to bow my head when passing a Catholic church. Always.

 

[ac_claire]

I’m 62 yrs old and was taught (at Church and at home) to bow my head at the Name of Jesus and to bow my head when passing a Catholic church. Always.

I was always taught to bow my head (and make the sign ofthe cross) when passing a Catholic church. Or Catholic hospital, if we could assume the Blessed Sacrament was there. We weren’t taught to bow at the name of Jesus, but I’ve seen some priests do it. Never heard of bowing at Mary’s name.

It’s not exactly the same sentiment, but we also bow our heads and say the “Eternal rest…” prayer when driving past a graveyard.

These are great devotions. If we don’t want them to be forgotten, I think we (the current generation) should practice them and teach our children to do the same.

 

[LatinOnlyPlease]

I as taught during sermons at the TLM to always bow your head at the name of Jesus, I would bet my bottom dollar it disappeared during the modernist revolution with a few rare exceptions. It is done at the TLM. I have personally never witnessed it being done during my rare forays into a Novus Ordo Church…“By their fruits you shall know them”…Dominus Vobiscum…

 

[catharina]

I as taught during sermons at the TLM to always bow your head at the name of Jesus, I would bet my bottom dollar it disappeared during the modernist revolution with a few rare exceptions. It is done at the TLM. I have personally never witnessed it being done during my rare forays into a Novus Ordo Church…“By their fruits you shall know them”…Dominus Vobiscum…

I don’t bet but I do attend NO Mass on a regular basis. I’ve never noticed any priest who “skips” bowing his head. As for other parishoners, I’ve never looked around to observe it. Why would I?

Yes, we agree “by their fruits, you shall know them.”

 

[latinmasslover]

I don’t bet but I do attend NO Mass on a regular basis. I’ve never noticed any priest who “skips” bowing his head. As for other parishoners, I’ve never looked around to observe it. Why would I?

Yes, we agree “by their fruits, you shall know them.”

We have a priest who hardly ever bows his head, and only genuflects to the Tabernacle when others are present and who might be watching (during Mass, when coming in for confession). I can understand not genuflecting every time one passes the Tabernacle (if we’re doing things in the Church and are going to be passing back and forth…almost took out my knee doing that) but he doesn’t even pause/bow momentarily. Yes, I’m praying for him.

You’re blessed to have reverent priests!

 

[catharina]

We have a priest who hardly ever bows his head, and only genuflects to the Tabernacle when others are present and who might be watching (during Mass, when coming in for confession). I can understand not genuflecting every time one passes the Tabernacle (if we’re doing things in the Church and are going to be passing back and forth…almost took out my knee doing that) but he doesn’t even pause/bow momentarily. Yes, I’m praying for him.

You’re blessed to have reverent priests!

Thanks for clarifying.

You’re talking about ONE priest who, it appears to you, MIGHT be irreverent. Yes, I’m blessed that my parish is served by very reverent priests who are also aware of appearances.

 

[latinmasslover]

Thanks for clarifying.

You’re talking about ONE priest who, it appears to you, MIGHT be irreverent. Yes, I’m blessed that my parish is served by very reverent priests who are also aware of appearances.

Well, I’ve seen more than one (very unfortunate), just specified this one because he’s at my parish and I see him more than the others. However, there’s no maybe about his irreverence. I was in the nave praying one night, very dark, when he came in. He went directly into the sactuary with no genuflect, no bow, no pause. Coming out, he noticed me sitting there, and then genuflected when leaving. Very unfortunate, but I’m very glad your priests aren’t like that. I hope to move to a parish (or have priests transfered to mine) where I don’t have to worry about the example they’re setting for my children (when I, God willing, am blessed with children). God Bless.

 

[John_Hiner]

Laudatur Iesus Christus.

I was taught in grade school to bow my head at the name “Jesus.” In my family, we have adopted the custom of bowing our heads at the proper name of each Person of the Blessed Trinity, that is at the names, “Father Almighty,” (or “all-powerful” “omnipotent” etc.) “Jesus,” and “Holy Spirit” (or “Ghost”). This leads to a bow during the Glory Be, etc., because the proper name of the Spirit is included in the formula: “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

This makes for some difficulty when we are in a group that is free or casual with the name of “Jesus.” For example, there are some songs used in Mass were the name “Jesus” is so often repeated that one begins to feel like a “head banger.” Sometimes, one is obliged to bow one’s head for the entire song, which is often adverse to the ebullient intention of those who use this sort of song. This also happens when listening to a certain style of speaker who seems to pretend a casual familiarity in using the Lord’s name. When listening, one is often surprised by the use of the name “Jesus” and can only “catch up” by bowing some seconds after the name is mentioned and one has time to notice. This can be unsettling and distracting.

I suspect this has some connection to the Catholic custom, at least in my experience, of using the word “Christ” rather than “Jesus” when commonly referring to the Savior. It seems appropriate to me to reserve the name “Jesus” for especially reverent use.

A peripheral but positive aspect of this practice is its effect in profane groups who use the name “Jesus” with little thought, as an expletive or ejaculatory comment. When one bows his head at each mention of the name, these profane speakers are sometimes taken aback and become more circumspect in their speech. Surprisingly, some become quite angry when they notice, prompted by this sign of respect, that they are in fact praying, however reflexively, in almost every speech that they make. It is amazing how prevalent the Savior’s name is in the speech of people who claim to have rejected Him.

My family also has the custom of bowing our heads when we pass a Church or other building where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and the custom of making the Sign of the Cross for the dead when we pass cemeteries. This is especially important when passing secular or Protestant cemeteries, because one suspects there are some whose bodies lie there who labor in Purgatory without much assistance from their families and friends on earth.

I often impulsively bow my head at the name of Mary. I suspect this is a habit learned in childhood, but I cannot clearly recall. Sometimes it just seems an appropriate gesture made spontaneously. This also happens under some circumstances at the mention of “the Church.”

Pax Christi nobiscum.

John Hiner

 

[catharina]

Well, I’ve seen more than one (very unfortunate), just specified this one because he’s at my parish and I see him more than the others. However, there’s no maybe about his irreverence. I was in the nave praying one night, very dark, when he came in. He went directly into the sactuary with no genuflect, no bow, no pause. Coming out, he noticed me sitting there, and then genuflected when leaving. Very unfortunate, but I’m very glad your priests aren’t like that. I hope to move to a parish (or have priests transfered to mine) where I don’t have to worry about the example they’re setting for my children (when I, God willing, am blessed with children). God Bless.

Really, I can’t drop this point. What you’ve seen cannot be clearly blamed on a priest’s lack of reverence. It’s as likely that he has problems with his bones or joints and that he is following doctor’s orders to minimize his genuflections. Being a normal priest (who is ever concerned about giving scandal to parishoners) it could be that he is careful to genuflect when he knows he has an “audience.” If you are in a parish where you have access to the church at night, you are supremely blessed. Why you would consider changing parishes is beyond me since most Catholic churches are locked down and sealed up tight these days and that’s being done to protect the churhches from vandalism.

The fact is that all you really “know” is that sometimes this priest genuflects and sometimes he doesn’t. It’s also possible that he is in a seriously meditative state; noticing you, he became more aware of his surroundings and your “observation.”

We are to love, refer, respect our priests. You pray for him, good, but you can’t know his soul.

LML - I hope you recognize that I’m not attempting to engage you in a personal argument of opinions. I’m only saying that you can conclude that something SEEMS to be a certain thing (irreverence) but you can’t conclude that it is so (irreverence).

 

[latinmasslover]

Really, I can’t drop this point. What you’ve seen cannot be clearly blamed on a priest’s lack of reverence. It’s as likely that he has problems with his bones or joints and that he is following doctor’s orders to minimize his genuflections. Being a normal priest (who is ever concerned about giving scandal to parishoners) it could be that he is careful to genuflect when he knows he has an “audience.” If you are in a parish where you have access to the church at night, you are supremely blessed. Why you would consider changing parishes is beyond me since most Catholic churches are locked down and sealed up tight these days and that’s being done to protect the churhches from vandalism.

The fact is that all you really “know” is that sometimes this priest genuflects and sometimes he doesn’t. It’s also possible that he is in a seriously meditative state; noticing you, he became more aware of his surroundings and your “observation.”

We are to love, refer, respect our priests. You pray for him, good, but you can’t know his soul.

LML - I hope you recognize that I’m not attempting to engage you in a personal argument of opinions. I’m only saying that you can conclude that something SEEMS to be a certain thing (irreverence) but you can’t conclude that it is so (irreverence).

Your trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, which is good. I try to do it, but sometimes it becomes lying, at the least wishful thinking. Some priests just don’t care. If it is in fact a physical problem, that doesn’t explain his not bowing, or at least pausing to replace the genuflection.

As a clarification, I’m not basing this on personal observation alone (though it does speak volumes). He criticises the TLM and yet doesn’t follow the rubrics of the NO and preaches morality as an option. I’ve also had meetings with him and so I learned quite a bit about his views, as if there were any doubt. According to him, Jesus is our buddy who just happens to be God.

Not to mention he indirectly admitted that he became a priest for the secure income.