Kneeling when entering the church building

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FloFlyFlown

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I was asked by protestant if we’re supposed to kneel when entering a catholic church building and I didn’t knew what to answer.

I do kneel on both knees and do the sign of the cross every time I enter a catholic church building, that the blessed sacrament is exposed or no because I know Jesus is there and it’s my due reverence to Him but officially what does the Church says? I couldn’t find in the CCC,

Thanks,

Florence
 
One knee genuflection when the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle and genuflection on both knees when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed is traditional–but even that isn’t necessary according to new norms.
 
HCC said:
One knee genuflection when the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle and genuflection on both knees when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed is traditional–but even that isn’t necessary according to new norms.
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I have always seen people genuflect - one or both knees, like what you are describing - and this is what I do. But you are saying that is not the “norm”??? What on earth IS the norm?

Can you give a reference from the GIRM?
 
ive actually recently gone from bowing to the tabernacle to genuflecting (thanks in part to the pope, ill explain if you want me to)

but i don’t know if its a requirement
 
From the GIRM:
  1. 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.
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…
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.
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Otherwise all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession.
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It doesn’t say anything about entering or leaving church, though …
 
I believe it’s bow forward to the cross and genuflect to one knee (at least) before the tabernacle.
 
bkayw said:
I believe it’s bow forward to the cross and genuflect to one knee (at least) before the tabernacle.
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You genuflect towards the tabernacle only when the red candle/light is lit 😉
 
I always genuflect towards the tabernacle when I enter and exit, it’s what most of the other people at the church do.
 
You should possibly also genuflect to a dressed altar (if there is no tabernacle in the vicinity) out of respect to the consecration that will shortly take place.
 
The poor fellow asked about genuflection when entering a church, not about our pose before the Eucharist! 😛

I tend to cross myself whenever I pass in front of a Catholic Church. Due to the fact that the Word is also preached in Anglican churches and they have fidelity to the Eucharist, I cross my heart when I pass before them. When I pass before any place that I know contains a Bible, I make a very small sign of the cross in the air in the direction of the building. This allows me to keep my natural disdain for Protestants down to such a level that it does not flower into hatred; after all, one cannot be angry with his brother if he respects his brother’s home. A full sign of the cross from head to stomach to shoulders only accompanies me when I see a Catholic church (or Orthodox, for they keep both Word and Sacrifice). 🙂

Upon actually entering a church, I button the second (lower) button of my suit, whereas I only button the first (upper) button when outside. This probably doesn’t pertain to most people, though… 😊
 
When one arrives at church, a genuflection is required if one passes in front of the tabernacle. The placement of the tabernacle , in relation to the isle selected, determines if one passes in front of the tabernacle.
During mass we do not bow when passing, ie: reception of communion, lectors, servers, part of a procession, etc.
After mass as we prepare to exit, a genuflection is also required if one passes in front of the tabernacle.
Reverance and honor is shown by a bow. The altar requires a bow.
General norms for all kinds of mass # 273-274-276
 
The act of genuflection before the Tabernacle and the significance of the Light is a wonderful biblical history lesson that “pulls a Christian” through the Old Testament into the New Testament and up into 2010.

The action of human movement, in genuflection, mirrors the movement of souls throughout salvation.

Often before Mass, I catch myself staring at the Tabernacle (Holy of Holies) , the Light ( the Shekinah Glory) and the Eucharist (the Show Bread).

It’s a meditative time for me, and it helps me to internalize the great gift I receive through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass - our Passover Lamb - Jesus.
 
FloFlyFlown said:
I was asked by protestant if we’re supposed to kneel when entering a catholic church building and I didn’t knew what to answer.

I do kneel on both knees and do the sign of the cross every time I enter a catholic church building, that the blessed sacrament is exposed or no because I know Jesus is there and it’s my due reverence to Him but officially what does the Church says? I couldn’t find in the CCC,

Thanks,

Florence
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This is what I was taught by the good sisters: Upon entering a Catholic church, dip your fingers in the holy water and make the sign of the cross. When you get to your pew, genuflect to the tabernacle, except on Maundy Thursday. If the tabernacle is not located in a straight line with the altar, genuflect to the tabernacle and bow to the altar (remember that every Catholic altar contains a relic of a saint or blessed). When mass is over and you’re leaving your pew, genuflect again to the tabernacle. Never turn your back on the tabernacle before genuflecting.
Before or after mass, if you must cross in front of the tabernacle, genuflect; the altar, bow.

So, to answer your Protestant friend, you might say: "Come and see!"
 
FloFlyFlown said:
I was asked by protestant if we’re supposed to kneel when entering a catholic church building and I didn’t knew what to answer.

I do kneel on both knees and do the sign of the cross every time I enter a catholic church building, that the blessed sacrament is exposed or no because I know Jesus is there and it’s my due reverence to Him but officially what does the Church says? I couldn’t find in the CCC,

Thanks,

Florence
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your answer is right but come to think of it, i may answer the protestant this i kneel when entering the church because the church as a structure is our place for worship when we enter we worship individually and it is of our way of acknowledging that Christ in its Human form is also a God that we need to worship , give our highest respect for he is also a KING btw, ask him how do you give reverence to a KING…
 
GloriousOrder said:
The poor fellow asked about genuflection when entering a church, not about our pose before the Eucharist! 😛

I tend to cross myself whenever I pass in front of a Catholic Church. Due to the fact that the Word is also preached in Anglican churches and they have fidelity to the Eucharist, I cross my heart when I pass before them. When I pass before any place that I know contains a Bible, I make a very small sign of the cross in the air in the direction of the building. This allows me to keep my natural disdain for Protestants down to such a level that it does not flower into hatred; after all, one cannot be angry with his brother if he respects his brother’s home. A full sign of the cross from head to stomach to shoulders only accompanies me when I see a Catholic church (or Orthodox, for they keep both Word and Sacrifice). 🙂

Upon actually entering a church, I button the second (lower) button of my suit, whereas I only button the first (upper) button when outside. This probably doesn’t pertain to most people, though… 😊
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A very sad way to live your life. I will pray for you and hope others will also.
 
Callum said:
You should possibly also genuflect to a dressed altar (if there is no tabernacle in the vicinity) out of respect to the consecration that will shortly take place.
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One BOWS to the relic contained in/under the altar.
 
I was always taught to genuflect facing the Blessed Sacrament whether reserved in the Tabernacle or Exposed (2 knees then). I want to know why I was told by the person (teaching my son how to Altar serve) that once the Mass begins they do not have to genuflect only bow at the Altar because the focus of the Mass is now the Table of the Lord! Yikes… not what I was taught and I did confront the situation in a teaching way ( I hope) but was rebuked and told to go look it up! Hmm
 
Sir_Knight said:
One BOWS to the relic contained in/under the altar.
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That is not why we bow to the altar. Many altars, especially in newer churches, do not have relics as that is no longer mandatory (although recommended). We bow to the altar because it represents Christ. That is the same reason why the priest kisses the altar.
 
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