Lectors - should they Bow or Genuflect

[NPC]

Firstly, may I say that I am aware of the general norms for persons passing by the altar - i.e. genuflect if the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the sanctuary, or bow to the altar if the Blessed Sacrament is reserved elsewhere in the church.

Secondly, I know that the GIRM (#274) says that

…if 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…

and that

Otherwise all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession.

• So, according to the GIRM, those who have been in the sanctuary since the entrance procession do not genuflect again until they are leaving (except the priest, of course, during the Consecration).

However, my question concerns lectors who are seated in the congregation and were thus not part of the entrance procession, plus the assumption that the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the centre of the sanctuary.

I was at a “course” for lectors where the leader said that lectors bow - always. I’m not saying the leader was wrong - I only questioned that it seemed odd to me that a person entering the sanctuary from the congregation to read would not genuflect if the Blessed Sacrament was reserved.

The GIRM doesn’t address this particular situation exactly, and having raised my concern with the leader (who, incidentally, got extremely defensive when I asked the question), I was firstly asked if I had a “Vatican II document” which supported what I was saying, and secondly told that “most liturgists” would say that lectors should only bow in this situation. So, it seems that she herself was not working on the basis of a “Vatican II” document, but the current opinions of liturgists.

So, does anyone have any specific answer to this? I wasn’t trying to catch the leader out or anything - in fact, where I read, the issue doesn’t arise as the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a side-chapel; but it does seem extremely strange to me that one entering the sanctuary where the Blessed Sacrament is present would not genuflect - my instinct would be to genuflect.

Thoughts?? Thanks all.

 

[Remington]

If you as a reader are going to approach and enter the sanctuary from the nave, and the Blessed Sacrament is in repose in the sanctuary, you would genuflect to the tabernacle before entering the sanctuary. This would not be followed by a bow to the altar or any other icon of Jesus Christ as you have the Real Presence in repose.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Wait, you said the GIRM doesn’t address it but the part you quoted clearly states that genuflection is not required during Mass.

 

[NPC]

Wait, you said the GIRM doesn’t address it but the part you quoted clearly states that genuflection is not required during Mass.

Genuflection is not required during Mass for those who are in the sanctuary from the entrance procession to the end… It does not address my query regarding a lector who is approaching the sanctuary and ambo as a member of the congregation, i.e. having not formed part of the entrance procession.

 

[Remington]

Wait, you said the GIRM doesn’t address it but the part you quoted clearly states that genuflection is not required during Mass.

It’s not that cut and dried.

“…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…”

What I believe that language is saying is that one genuflects in the direction of the tabernacle if it is in the sanctuary when one approachs AND departs from the sanctuary. You don’t continue to genuflect during the Mass when you pass by the tabernacle if you remain in the sanctuary. A good example are the altar servers on the EWTN Masses. They genuflect as they enter the sanctuary and as they leave it after dressing the altar.

If if a reader or a lector came from the nave into the sanctuary (and the sanctuary contained the reposed Blessed Sacrament) they would genuflect as they approached and departed from the sanctuary. This would also take precidence over bowing to any icon of Jesus Christ.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

But if the lector returned to the nave in between readings, I wouldn’t think a new genuflection (or bow) would be required for each approach – would it?

 

[Remington]

But if the lector returned to the nave in between readings, I wouldn’t think a new genuflection (or bow) would be required for each approach – would it?

I think it would be fairly sloppy from a liturgical standpoint for a reader or lector to leave the sanctuary during the responsorial psalm. But if they did, or if there were two readers or lectors on a Sunday, I would suggest both should genuflect.

Further, if genuflecting is rejected by a liturgist at this point in the Mass, they certainly cannot justify a bow, unless of course the reader or lector is unable to genuflect.

 

[NPC]

I think it would be fairly sloppy from a liturgical standpoint for a reader or lector to leave the sanctuary during the responsorial psalm. But if they did, or if there were two readers or lectors on a Sunday, I would suggest both should genuflect.

I don’t think there is any particular reason why the lector should leave the sanctuary between readings. If there is a cantor singing the psalm, then it seems to me that it is appropriate for the lector to take a few steps back and to the side of the cantor for the duration of the psalm.

That said, it appears to me that the GIRM is indicating that those serving a particular liturgical function genuflect on entering the sanctuary and leaving it - after all, if they had gone to the sanctuary as part of the procession, they would have genuflected, so why ought they not do it when they do get to the sanctuary 5 minutes or so after the entrance procession?..but that is only my reading of it - if the leader at the course I was at is correct in her assertion, then so be it: I can handle it if I’m proved wrong

Further, if genuflecting is rejected by a liturgist at this point in the Mass, they certainly cannot justify a bow, unless of course the reader or lector is unable to genuflect.

Ultimately, it just seems alien to me not to genuflect before the tabernacle, not to mention genuflecting before the tabernacle as one enters the Holy of Holies.

 

[Reuben_J]

I don’t think there is any particular reason why the lector should leave the sanctuary between readings. If there is a cantor singing the psalm, then it seems to me that it is appropriate for the lector to take a few steps back and to the side of the cantor for the duration of the psalm.

**That said, it appears to me that the GIRM is indicating that those serving a particular liturgical function genuflect on entering the sanctuary and leaving it **- after all, if they had gone to the sanctuary as part of the procession, they would have genuflected, so why ought they not do it when they do get to the sanctuary 5 minutes or so after the entrance procession?..but that is only my reading of it - if the leader at the course I was at is correct in her assertion, then so be it: I can handle it if I’m proved wrong

I agree with you there. We genuflect before the tabernacle. If it is located at the sanctuary, genuflection is required on entering and leaving it only. Likewise everytime we re-enter the sanctuary for one reason or the other we have to genuflect again.

If the lector is seated at the sanctuary, no genuflection is necessary (since he already genuflected on entering the sanctuary) as he goes to the ambo but only a deep bow to the priest/bishop before and after the reading.

In many churches today, tabernacles are sometimes located somewhere else, probably in the daily chapel. If that’s the case no genuflection is necessary as we enter the sanctuary but a deep bow to the altar.

Ultimately, it just seems alien to me not to genuflect before the tabernacle, not to mention genuflecting before the tabernacle as one enters the Holy of Holies.

Again I concur with this. In our Cathedral which is quite big, people seems to lose the habit of genuflecting before the tabernacle. I thought it is awesome to genuflect at the dwelling place of the Lord. I often emphasized that - do not be ashamed of genuflecting or even kneeling with both knees (if that is practical) before the tabernacle.

 

[John_Lilburne]

“Reverence toward the altar
72 A deep bow is made to the altar by all who enter the sanctuary (chancel), leave it, or pass before the altar.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 37.)

“Reverence toward the blessed sacrament
71 No one who enters a church should fail to adore the blessed sacrament, either by visiting the blessed sacrament chapel or at least by genuflecting.
Similarly, those who pass before the blessed sacrament genuflect, except when they are walking in procession.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 36.)

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :

“Genuflections and bows
274. … 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.
Otherwise all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession. …
275. … b. A bow of the body, that is to say a profound bow, is made to the altar;”.

“195. Upon reaching the altar, the lector makes a profound bow with the others. If he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, he approaches the altar and places the Book of the Gospels upon it. Then the lector takes his own place in the sanctuary with the other ministers.”

If the lector is in the sanctuary for the whole of Mass, there is no issue. If the lector is going into the sanctuary during Mass, I think they should bow to the altar. They are directed, as ministers, not to genuflect “during the celebration of Mass itself”.

 

[NPC]

“Reverence toward the altar
72 A deep bow is made to the altar by all who enter the sanctuary (chancel), leave it, or pass before the altar.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 37.)

“Reverence toward the blessed sacrament
71 No one who enters a church should fail to adore the blessed sacrament, either by visiting the blessed sacrament chapel or at least by genuflecting.
Similarly, those who pass before the blessed sacrament genuflect, except when they are walking in procession.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 36.)

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :

“Genuflections and bows
274. … 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.
Otherwise all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession. …
275. … b. A bow of the body, that is to say a profound bow, is made to the altar;”.

“195. Upon reaching the altar, the lector makes a profound bow with the others. If he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, he approaches the altar and places the Book of the Gospels upon it. Then the lector takes his own place in the sanctuary with the other ministers.”

If the lector is in the sanctuary for the whole of Mass, there is no issue. If the lector is going into the sanctuary during Mass, I think they should bow to the altar. They are directed, as ministers, not to genuflect “during the celebration of Mass itself”.

But doesn’t the point still remain that the GIRM doesn’t specifically address the scenario that I presented?, i.e. that of a lector coming to the sanctuary from the congregation.

As I said earlier, that scenario also includes the tabernacle being on the sanctuary - in such a case, as the GIRM states, the ministers who enter the sanctuary at the entrance procession (and are thus in the sanctuary for the whole celebration of the Holy Mass) should genuflect as they approach the altar initially and once again as they leave at the end of the Mass.

The lectors in my scenario are not part of this procession of course. As ordinary members of the congregation, the GIRM and common custom indicates that they would genuflect on leaving and entering their pews, for example…and again, I would ask, why would it not be even more appropriate to do likewise when entering the Holy of Holies? The GIRM still seems to indicate to me that it is appropriate to genuflect when one initially enters the sanctuary and when one finally leaves, but that it is not necessary in-between.

Ultimately, though, it seems that there is nothing “set in stone” regarding this scenario…

Finally, surely #195 of the GIRM assumes that the Blessed Sacrament is not reserved in the sanctuary, since it instructs the lector to make a profound bow with the others - if #195 did presume the Blessed Sacrament to be present it would be a direct contradiction of what comes later in #274 where a genuflection is mandated.

 

[thomas_jd]

All that pass in front of the tabernacle genuflect. One genuflects at the point of entry to his or her pew and at the conclusion of mass as you exit.

A lector in the performance of his or her ministerial duties are required to bow to the altar as they approach.
The lector is not to genuflect during the celebration of Mass.

 

[Remington]

“Reverence toward the altar
72 A deep bow is made to the altar by all who enter the sanctuary (chancel), leave it, or pass before the altar.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 37.)

“Reverence toward the blessed sacrament
71 No one who enters a church should fail to adore the blessed sacrament, either by visiting the blessed sacrament chapel or at least by genuflecting.
Similarly, those who pass before the blessed sacrament genuflect, except when they are walking in procession.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 36.)

From the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :

“Genuflections and bows
274. … 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.
Otherwise all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession. …
275. … b. A bow of the body, that is to say a profound bow, is made to the altar;”.

“195. Upon reaching the altar, the lector makes a profound bow with the others. If he is carrying the Book of the Gospels, he approaches the altar and places the Book of the Gospels upon it. Then the lector takes his own place in the sanctuary with the other ministers.”

If the lector is in the sanctuary for the whole of Mass, there is no issue. If the lector is going into the sanctuary during Mass, I think they should bow to the altar. They are directed, as ministers, not to genuflect “during the celebration of Mass itself”.

Naw. If they are truly precluded from genuflecting during the Mass (they aren’t – those in the sanctuary who move around during the liturgy are) they would certainly be precluded from bowing to the altar as reverencing the Blessed Sacrament always takes precidence over reverencing an icon of Jesus Christ.

 

[Remington]

All that pass in front of the tabernacle genuflect. One genuflects at the point of entry to his or her pew and at the conclusion of mass as you exit.

A lector in the performance of his or her ministerial duties are required to bow to the altar as they approach.
The lector is not to genuflect during the celebration of Mass.

Except those who enter the sanctuary and remain in the sanctuary. They genuflect at the beginning and at the end of Mass. This is (for example) to keep a server from genuflecting at the opening and closing prayers as he approaches the celebrant (and thus the tabernacle in many cases) with the Sacramentary in hand. Another example would be servers moving with torches to flank the ambo during the proclamation of the Gospel. Or the deacon himself as he approaches the celebrant from a blessing or when he elevates the Book of Gospels to everyone.

There would be a great deal of genuflecting going on throughout the Mass, often in difficult situations and the Church is merely trying to eliminate that.

 

[thomas_jd]

Except those who enter the sanctuary and remain in the sanctuary. They genuflect at the beginning and at the end of Mass. This is (for example) to keep a server from genuflecting at the opening and closing prayers as he approaches the celebrant (and thus the tabernacle in many cases) with the Sacramentary in hand. Another example would be servers moving with torches to flank the ambo during the proclamation of the Gospel. Or the deacon himself as he approaches the celebrant from a blessing or when he elevates the Book of Gospels to everyone.

There would be a great deal of genuflecting going on throughout the Mass, often in difficult situations and the Church is merely trying to eliminate that.

Those that enter the sanctuary (eg. servers, deacons, etc…) genuflect at the altar with the priest at the begining and end of mass. These do not sit in a pew and may not pass in front of the tabernacle yet they still genuflect.
All others genuflect when they pass in front of the tabernacle .

 

[Remington]

Those that enter the sanctuary (eg. servers, deacons, etc…) genuflect at the altar with the priest at the begining and end of mass. These do not sit in a pew and may not pass in front of the tabernacle yet they still genuflect.
All others genuflect when they pass in front of the tabernacle .

No. An icon of Jesus Christ such as the altar is not reverenced by genuflecting. That’s reserved for the Blessed Sacrament.

Priests, deacons, server, etc. who remain in the sanctuary do not genuflect as they pass in front of the tabernacle during the Mass.

If one enters the sanctuary during the Mass one should genuflect. The only time I could see that being incongruent is if a large group of concelebrants entered the sanctuary at the Sanctus which does happen in my diocese due to seating limitations.

Further, if one is in line in the nave to receive holy communion, one would not reverence the reposed Blessed Sacrament if they should pass in front of the tabernacle.

 

[thomas_jd]

No. An icon of Jesus Christ such as the altar is not reverenced by genuflecting. That’s reserved for the Blessed Sacrament.

Priests, deacons, server, etc. who remain in the sanctuary do not genuflect as they pass in front of the tabernacle during the Mass.

If one enters the sanctuary during the Mass one should genuflect. The only time I could see that being incongruent is if a large group of concelebrants entered the sanctuary at the Sanctus which does happen in my diocese due to seating limitations.

Further, if one is in line in the nave to receive holy communion, one would not reverence the reposed Blessed Sacrament if they should pass in front of the tabernacle.

No !! Where did that come from? As you are new to the site I will explain. We have rules to follow. GRIM # 274 “If however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrement 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.”

One Does Not genuflect during the Mass! See Above #274!

Again , one does not genuflect during Mass!
It doesn’t matter what one thinks ,these are the posted rules.

 

[NPC]

No !! Where did that come from? As you are new to the site I will explain. We have rules to follow. GRIM # 274 “If however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrement 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.”

One Does Not genuflect during the Mass! See Above #274!

Again , one does not genuflect during Mass!
It doesn’t matter what one thinks ,these are the posted rules.

But, my point is that GIRM #274 only refers to those who are in the sanctuary for the duration of the Mass - we can easily see that it directs them to genuflect only at the beginning and the end (plus the three genuflections of the celebrant during the Mass).

My question involves a lector who approaches the sanctuary only when it is time for them to read - so whether GIRM #274 applies here is not at all as clear as you make it, in my opinion, since the minister in question, the lector, was not part of the entrance procession, nor will they be part of the recessional.

I have to say, that I am still very unconvinced as yet by the argument that such a lector should only bow. As I said earlier, it seems to me that if GIRM #274 could be applied in any way to the situation I outlined, it is to imply that anyone entering the sanctuary for the first time in the Mass genuflects, and does likewise as they leave, but not at any stage in between. At any rate, a genuflection would be appropriate at some stage as the lector leaves their pew as GIRM #274 continues to say that “…all [presumably those not in the sanctuary] who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession”.

 

[thomas_jd]

But, my point is that GIRM #274 only refers to those who are in the sanctuary for the duration of the Mass - we can easily see that it directs them to genuflect only at the beginning and the end (plus the three genuflections of the celebrant during the Mass).

My question involves a lector who approaches the sanctuary only when it is time for them to read - so whether GIRM #274 applies here is not at all as clear as you make it, in my opinion, since the minister in question, the lector, was not part of the entrance procession, nor will they be part of the recessional.

I have to say, that I am still very unconvinced as yet by the argument that such a lector should only bow. As I said earlier, it seems to me that if GIRM #274 could be applied in any way to the situation I outlined, it is to imply that anyone entering the sanctuary for the first time in the Mass genuflects, and does likewise as they leave, but not at any stage in between. At any rate, a genuflection would be appropriate at some stage as the lector leaves their pew as GIRM #274 continues to say that “…all [presumably those not in the sanctuary] who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession”.

One or two lectors are encouraged to join in the Entrance Procession.There is no other
recommendations ,that I have found, to address one not in procession. This tells one that the Norm is a procession.The ministers are to bow upon reaching the altar and not to genuflect during the mass.
When a E.M.H.C. approaches before Comminion they also bow to the altar. There is no
directive to their envolvement in the Procession, yet they are required to bow not to genuflect.
Through-out the GIRM the directives are often vague and incomplete, note the title “General Instruction” not “Specific Instructions”. One must read all the info to get a somewhat clear understanding.
p.s. It really upset me to see the parade of people walk past the Tabernacle without genuflecting before and after mass

 

[Remington]

No !! Where did that come from? As you are new to the site I will explain. We have rules to follow. GRIM # 274 “If however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrement 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.”

One Does Not genuflect during the Mass! See Above #274!

Again , one does not genuflect during Mass!
It doesn’t matter what one thinks ,these are the posted rules.

Yes I am new to this forum (which makes absolutely no difference) but it is you that is mistaken. Your are misunderstanding the quote from the GIRM.

A perfect example is the daily Mass on EWTN. The servers enter the sanctuary during the Mass carrying the precious vessels and linens. They do not genuflect as they enter the sanctuary and pass in front of the tabernacle because their hands are full, just as a deacon or EMHC carrying the Book of Gospels would not genuflect. They dress the altar and they most certainly genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament once they are done. They aren’t breaking any rules.

The priest also genuflects before opening the tabernacle even though he does not when he passes in front of it during the Mass. They still aren’t breaking any rules. On the other hand when a server holds the Sacramentary or assists with the lavabo they do not not reverence the Blessed Sacrament.

The GIRM cannot be accurately understood if one does not have a practical working knowledge of the Mass.