Liturgy and Genuflection

[thomaspdom]

Genuflection has been a part of being catholic for many, many years. We have been taught that we genuflect when entering or leaving a church, and when entering or leaving a sanctuary. We have been taught to genuflect when passing the altar, or when passing a tabernacle. This is proper as we should show our reverence to the Altar, and the tabernacle whenever we are in church.
In many churches, we have come to realize the genuflection is not done. No one genuflect when entering or leaving a sanctuary, or when passing the Altar or Tabernacle.
I have asked and have been told the genuflecting is still to be done but I see it not being done as before.
What is the order for genuflection while we are at church? I will continue to always genuflect while I am at church as this is the proper way to show reverence while we are in the house of our Lord.

 

[Joe_5859]

Technically speaking, we are genuflecting to the Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Thus, we genuflect before the tabernacle, but not before the altar. To the altar, we give a profound bow (as it is a symbol of Christ and is where the Sacrifice of the Mass takes place).

If the tabernacle is front and center behind the altar (where it should be ), then only one act of reverence is necessary for both: genuflection.

Also, we do not genuflect during the liturgy itself.

For further info, look at the General Instruction on the Roman Missal 274-275:

Genuflections and Bows

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.

During Mass, three genuflections are made by the priest celebrant: namely, after the showing of the host, after the showing of the chalice, and before Communion. Certain specific features to be observed in a concelebrated Mass are noted in their proper place (cf. nos. 210-251).

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.

Ministers carrying the processional cross or candles bow their heads instead of genuflecting.

1. A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to the persons themselves or to the signs that represent them. There are two kinds of bows: a bow of the head and a bow of the body.

a. A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honor Mass is being celebrated.

b. A bow of the body, that is to say a profound bow, is made to the altar; during the prayers Munda cor meum (Almighty God, cleanse my heart) and In spiritu humilitatis (Lord God, we ask you to receive); in the Creed at the words Et incarnatus est (by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . and became man); in the Roman Canon at the words Supplices te rogamus (Almighty God, we pray that your angel). The same kind of bow is made by the deacon when he asks for a blessing before the proclamation of the Gospel. In addition, the priest bows slightly as he speaks the words of the Lord at the consecration.

 

[thiltonhead]

Absent specific instructions, everyone should act in ways that are “right” between God and each individual. In our church building, the Blessed Sacrament was always reserved in the tabernacle in the chapel (where it should be) and our faith community of 4,000 was asked to bow as a sign of reverence when entering pews. I’ll continue to do this because I beleive it is the right thing to do. There are other very good habits that remain with many followers of Jesus that have never been part of the rubics of the Church and these should also be practiced by all who believe they are doing the right thing. Problems arise when one individual judges the actions of another. It is too bad most priests fail in instructions to the royal priesthood in what are and what are not liturgical rubics.

 

[Joe_5859]

Absent specific instructions, everyone should act in ways that are “right” between God and each individual. In our church building, the Blessed Sacrament was always reserved in the tabernacle in the chapel (where it should be) and our faith community of 4,000 was asked to bow as a sign of reverence when entering pews. I’ll continue to do this because I beleive it is the right thing to do. There are other very good habits that remain with many followers of Jesus that have never been part of the rubics of the Church and these should also be practiced by all who believe they are doing the right thing. Problems arise when one individual judges the actions of another. It is too bad most priests fail in instructions to the royal priesthood in what are and what are not liturgical rubics.

I’m not sure I understand your situation. Is the tabernacle in a separate side chapel, or is it in the sanctuary? If it is in a separate side chapel, then bowing towards the altar would be the appropriate act of reverence (unless the tabernacle is in view as the liturgical documents suggest it ought to be).

See the GIRM 314-317 for more info on where the tabernacle should be located.