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tafan2
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Nuns taught us not to cross our kegs in church, much less when the Blessed Sacrament us exposed.
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phil19034
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True. But starting with Gen X, most Catholics have not been taught by sisters. With a few exceptions, Baby Boomers who attended Catholic School were the last group to be primarily taught by sisters.
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Shasta-Rose
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I do an hour of adoration each month. Our church has it once a month. I start on my knees on the kneeler, praying, followed by sitting and praying, then maybe read from one of the books the church puts out for that purpose, and then probably a Rosary. I need to move around a little during this time or I get stiff. I’m afraid that at some point, I do cross my legs, needing a change of position.
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yankeesouth
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Yeah and this one spent a few one hour sessions after Mass learning the proper kneeling position since I didn’t seem to know it during Mass. lol Must have been important because Sister was right there with me giving up her time to see to it. Well she did pray the Rosary so I guess it was time well spent for her too.
I still think of her sometimes when I see a young person doing the slump.
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Peeps
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What does “crossing my legs” have to do with sitting “slouched over?” Nothing, as far as I know.
Please clarify.
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Peeps
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Thank you.it’s because some cultures (like in America) have little experience with royal edict. And type of things Emily Post used to teach have almost died out with the Greatest Generation.
For me, my Grandmother (rest her soul) was huge on edict, esp Emily Post . She was born in 1929, and past away back in Aug.
I have little interest in “royalty,” and I had no idea that family in Great Britain lucky enough to be born “royal” doesn’t cross their legs in public. I don’t read People Magazine, I don’t watch Downton Abbey (or any those “aristocrat life” shows), and I don’t eat up every detail about how the “royals” do every little thing.
I googled “royals crossing legs” and read all about the “Duchess slant” and how Meghan Markle came under criticism for (gasp!) crossing her legs in public–how silly!
Again, as a citizen of the United States of America, I had absolutely no idea about all this “etiquette”, and really do not care. If that’s what they do, fine. But we don’t attach any “dignity” to what position people sit in here in the U.S., although in recent days, men have been criticized for “mansplalning,” but most of us in the U.S. consider this criticism “liberal whining.” Who cares how a man sits?
In my opinion, true royalty is considering the lowliest people in your world better than yourself, and treating all people with grace and love.
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tafan2
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You quote the part about sitting upright also, how was I to know which if my recommendation s you didn’t agree with?
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Anne1964
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I was on a Carmelite retreat once and the retreat master, a Carmelite friar, said they were taught never to cross their legs in church. They was the first time I had ever heard that.
Most of the people I know do cross their legs in church including my parish priest when he is there praying during the day (not during Mass).
Most of the people I know do cross their legs in church including my parish priest when he is there praying during the day (not during Mass).
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tafan2
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Well, I remember when I was a senior in college and went to an seminar on ob interviewing we were told not to cross our kegs in an interview and to sit up straight.
So it wasn’t just the nuns who taught me as a kid.
We do attach importance to sitting with iroper posture, even if the idea of crossing kegs is no longer considered informal by most.
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babochka
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I’m early-ish Generation X, taught by Irish nuns. This thread is the first I’ve ever heard of this.tafan2:
True. But starting with Gen X, most Catholics have not been taught by sisters. With a few exceptions, Baby Boomers who attended Catholic School were the last group to be primarily taught by sisters.
I really think this is cultural and not (or no longer) a part of American culture. It doesn’t make it right or wrong, in either case.
On second thought, my friend’s Greek Orthodox grandmother used to say you shouldn’t cross your legs in church. I always thought it was one of her many superstitions, like putting a hat on the bed being bad luck.
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phil19034
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I’m late Gen X. I always forget that some Gen Xers were born in the 60s.
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phil19034
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I’m an American too. I used the royals just as a visible example in today’s society.phil19034:
Thank you.it’s because some cultures (like in America) have little experience with royal edict. And type of things Emily Post used to teach have almost died out with the Greatest Generation.
For me, my Grandmother (rest her soul) was huge on edict, esp Emily Post . She was born in 1929, and past away back in Aug.
I have little interest in “royalty,” and I had no idea that family in Great Britain lucky enough to be born “royal” doesn’t cross their legs in public. I don’t read People Magazine, I don’t watch Downton Abbey (or any those “aristocrat life” shows), and I don’t eat up every detail about how the “royals” do every little thing.
I googled “royals crossing legs” and read all about the “Duchess slant” and how Meghan Markle came under criticism for (gasp!) crossing her legs in public–how silly!
Again, as a citizen of the United States of America, I had absolutely no idea about all this “etiquette”, and really do not care. If that’s what they do, fine. But we don’t attach any “dignity” to what position people sit in here in the U.S., although in recent days, men have been criticized for “mansplalning,” but most of us in the U.S. consider this criticism “liberal whining.” Who cares how a man sits?
In my opinion, true royalty is considering the lowliest people in your world better than yourself, and treating all people with grace and love.
My point is that all of civilized Western society (which the Church is part of) used to pay a lot more attention to these tiny details.
Society (including American) used to be far more formal (like the royals) than we are today.
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otjm
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- 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.
If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is situated 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."
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phil19034
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Well, there are no rubrics for going in and out of the pews before & after mass.
The reason the Church is emphasizing which knee for the priests in the GIRM is because traditionally, it mattered.
The edicate in Rome for kneeling in front of the Pope was always with the left knee because the right knee was reserved for God. That edicate was taught to the laity. Same thing with your local bishop. People were taught when they kneeled in front of their bishop to kiss his ring, they were to go down on their left knee because the right won was reserved for God.
Which knee to use is a tradition a kin to making the Sign of the Cross. While there is no right/wrong way to do it legally, there is a right/wrong way culturally.
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otjm
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They also likely were the last group to be “reminded” of their manners in church when the sister came up behind them with a finger flick to the ear. Smarted right properly.
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phil19034
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LOL… all stories I’ve heard about the Sisters of Mercy in schools back them seem to imply that sisters had no mercy!phil19034:
They also likely were the last group to be “reminded” of their manners in church when the sister came up behind them with a finger flick to the ear. Smarted right properly.
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babochka
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I was taught by the Sisters of Mercy and have great affection toward them.otjm:
LOL… all stories I’ve heard about the Sisters of Mercy in schools back them seem to imply that sisters had no mercy!phil19034:
They also likely were the last group to be “reminded” of their manners in church when the sister came up behind them with a finger flick to the ear. Smarted right properly.
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Maximian
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If you go to a Traditional Latin Low Mass (not a high mass) you will find that after the dismissal and the reading of the opening verses of St John’s Gospel, the so called Leonine Prayers follow. These include the prayer to St Michael, Hail Mary, Salve Regina and Invocation of the Sacred Heart.
It’s a pity this isn’t also done after the new Mass
By the way I very much appreciate the distinction you draw between traditions and customs.
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phil19034
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true - double genuflection is a pious custom, but a good one I thinkCRV:
Please note, It is clearly stated that it is a single genuflection whether the Blessed Sacrament is in the Tabernacle OR exposed. . Nothing to stop anyone going down on both knees (double genuflection) but it is not required.
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