No bells and no bowing at Mass?

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JulianN said:
Genuflecting is appropriate for the tabernacle, but not the altar. One bows to the altar.
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In every parish I have lived in the tabernacle has been central behind the altar , so my preference is to genuflect to the tabernacle .

The practice of bowing to the altar is a relatively new one in my lifetime .
 
Rob2 said:
In every parish I have lived in the tabernacle has been central behind the altar , so my preference is to genuflect to the tabernacle .

The practice of bowing to the altar is a relatively new one in my lifetime
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In our church, it is the same way. The tabernacle is in the sacristy. That’s why I am very surprised the Deacon does not want us to bow or kneel. If there was not a wall, the tabernacle would be right behind the altar.
 
Yes, if you’re passing the tabernacle, you genuflect. Unless, for example, you are going up to the ambo to read or are an EMHC.
 
You bow when you pass the alter; you genuflect to the tabernacle on entering and exiting the pews.
 
But it’s behind a wall? If so, you wouldn’t genuflect—it’s not visible.
 
hkgranados said:
The deacon at my church said that there will be no more bells during the consecration because the Rubics says it is wrong to use them.
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GIRM 150. A little before the Consecration, if appropriate, a minister rings a small bell as a signal to the faithful. The minister also rings the small bell at each elevation by the Priest, according to local custom.

GIRM 187. The functions that the acolyte may carry out are of various kinds and several may occur at the same moment. Hence, it is desirable that these duties be suitably distributed among several acolytes. If, in fact, only one acolyte is present, he should perform the more important duties while the rest are to be distributed among several ministers.

GIRM 189. Through the entire celebration, it is for the acolyte to approach the Priest or the Deacon, whenever necessary, in order to present the book to them and to assist them in any other way required.

USCCB guidelines for altar servers
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...ed-questions/guidelines-for-altar-servers.cfm
Although institution into the ministry of acolyte is reserved to lay men, the diocesan bishop may permit the liturgical functions of the instituted acolyte to be carried out by altar servers, men and women, boys and girls. Such persons may carry out all the functions listed in no. 100 (with the exception of the distribution of Holy Communion) and nos. 187 - 190 and no. 193 of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

So: a) bells during Consecration are optional but are definitely not forbidden by the GIRM and
b) altar servers may obviously be the ones who ring the bells.

This piece gives an excellent coverage of the matter, as well:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur94.htm
The Holy See has maintained the practice of ringing the bell at the consecration in St. Peter’s Basilica, although it has an excellent sound system. I also had the experience of a parish that restored the use of the signal bell after many years without it. Not only were there no complaints but the general reaction was very positive from all age groups.

Having said that, bells are optional and so of course a pastor may elect to discontinue the practice.
 
hkgranados said:
No, we can’t.
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From the GIRM
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-wor...uction-of-the-roman-missal/girm-chapter-5.cfm
The Place for the Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist

314. In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, conspicuous, worthily decorated, and suitable for prayer.[124]

The tabernacle should usually be the only one, be irremovable, be made of solid and inviolable material that is not transparent, and be locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is prevented to the greatest extent possible.[125] Moreover, it is appropriate that before it is put into liturgical use, the tabernacle be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual.[126]

315. It is more appropriate as a sign that on an altar on which Mass is celebrated there not be a tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved.[127]

Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgment of the Diocesan Bishop:

a) either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a appropriate form and place, not excluding its being positioned on an old altar no longer used for celebration (cf. no. 303);

b) or even in some chapel suitable for the private adoration and prayer of the faithful[128] and organically connected to the church and readily noticeable by the Christian faithful.

316. In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should shine permanently to indicate the presence of Christ and honor it.[129]

317. In no way should any of the other things be forgotten which are prescribed by law concerning the reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist.[130]

It is reasonable for the faithful in a parish with the tabernacle hidden in a sacristy to ask that the Blessed Sacrament be reserved as soon as possible in a tabernacle with a prominent placement suitable for prayer.
 
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PetraG said:
b) or even in some chapel suitable for the private adoration and prayer of the faithful[128] and organically connected to the church and readily noticeable by the Christian faithful
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There’s one in the chapel.
 
I remember back in the '90s the tabernacle was in the adjoining side chapel. I think they brought the previously consecrated hosts in prior to mass.
 
JulianN said:
If I were your wife, that certainly wouldn’t lead me to want to convert.
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Well believing in the actual body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist is essential for her salvation.

John 6:53-54 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
53 So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day;
 
hkgranados said:
There’s one in the chapel.
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PetraG said:
GIRM “The tabernacle should usually be the only one…”
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In the chapel is a prominent place?

I have seen chapels of repose which because of the use of glass and strategic placement the tabernacles actually were prominent to anyone at Mass in that church…kind of a long ways for the priest to walk to place the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, but he could be seen for the whole “journey.”
 
hkgranados said:
The deacon at my church said that there will be no more bells during the consecration because the Rubics says it is wrong to use them.
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GIRM, 150
  1. A little before the Consecration, if appropriate, a minister rings a small bell as a signal to the faithful. The minister also rings the small bell at each elevation by the Priest, according to local custom.
So, it’s optional, but not forbidden
hkgranados said:
The deacon also said that nobody is supposed to bow when passing or walking onto the altar. When I asked where that rule is, he said it’s just a general rule.
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GIRM 49
  1. When they reach the sanctuary, the priest, the deacon, and the ministers reverence the altar with a profound bow.
In the Mass, it is mandated. Outside of Mass, it’s a respectful gesture, but not nessecary
 
hkgranados said:
The deacon at my church said that there will be no more bells during the consecration because the Rubics says it is wrong to use them.
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What the rubrics actually say:
  1. A little before the Consecration, if appropriate, a minister rings a small bell as a signal to the faithful. The minister also rings the small bell at each elevation by the Priest, according to local custom.
hkgranados said:
The deacon also said that nobody is supposed to bow when passing or walking onto the altar.
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Not sure if you mean inside or outside of mass. What the rubrics actually say (which means within Mass):

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 elevation of the host, after the elevation of the chalice, and before Communion. Certain specific features to be observed in a concele-brated Mass are noted in their proper place (cf. nos. 210-251).

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.
  1. A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to the persons themselves or to the signs that represent them. There are two kinds of bow: 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 (Cleanse my heart) and In spiritu humilitatis (With humble spirit); in the Creed at the words et incarnatus est (and by the Holy Spirit . . . and became man); in the Roman Canon at the Supplices te rogamus (In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God). 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 pronounces the words of the Lord at the Consecration.

Outside of mass:
http://www.ewtn.com/v/experts/showmessage.asp?number=289786&Pg=&Pgnu=&recnu=
 
That used to be the norm back in the day. It may still be the norm where he’s from. I think, sometime in the 2000s, the US Bishop’s Conference ruled that the tabernacles would be brought out the side chapels and placed back behind the alters.
 
During Mass the emphasis is on Christ present on the altar. He’s not unseen but present right in front of you.
 
In most of the older churches where I worship, and in quite a few of the newer, the altar and tabernacle are in the same place.
If the tabernacle is off somewhere else like to the side, I will face myself towards the tabernacle.
 
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