No, I don't bow to the Precious Blood

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Certainly this is true, but we have other things to consider in this instance.

First, I would think it must be established if this coordinator does have authority. (I would think she does, since she has held this position through 3 pastors)

Then, if the instruction seems unreasonable, first discuss it with her, and if this does not help, discuss it with the pastor. Even in the case of a perceived abuse, we are told what to do.

RS-however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity

This would be taking the spirit of the instruction to the parish level. You could also mention the instruction of not bowing while in procession. Also there is another instruction about not offering the Chalice, if a large number refuse. If this is not the case, than a simple bow would not create any disruption.

from Redemptionis Sacramentum

1. Complaints Regarding Abuses in Liturgical Matters

1. In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favoritism.

1. Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff.290 It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.

---

Conclusion

1. “Against the seeds of discord which daily experience shows to be so deeply ingrained in human nature as a result of sin, there stands the creative power of the unity of Christ’s body. For it is precisely by building up the Church that the Eucharist establishes fellowship among men.”291 It is therefore the hope of this Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments that also, by the diligent application of those things that are recalled in this Instruction, human weakness may come to pose less of an obstacle to the action of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, and that with all distortion set aside and every reprobated practice removed,292 through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Woman of the Eucharist,” the saving presence of Christ in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood may shine brightly upon all people.

1. Let all Christ’s faithful participate in the Most Holy Eucharist as fully, consciously and actively as they can,293 honoring it lovingly by their devotion and the manner of their life. Let Bishops, Priests and Deacons, in the exercise of the sacred ministry, examine their consciences as regards the authenticity and fidelity of the actions they have performed in the name of Christ and the Church in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. Let each one of the sacred ministers ask himself, even with severity, whether he has respected the rights of the lay members of Christ’s faithful, who confidently entrust themselves and their children to him, relying on him to fulfill for the faithful those sacred functions that the Church intends to carry out in celebrating the Sacred Liturgy at Christ’s command.294 For each one should always remember that he is a servant of the Sacred Liturgy.295

All things to the contrary notwithstanding.

This Instruction, prepared by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II in collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was approved by the same Pontiff on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, 19 March 2004, and he ordered it to be published and to be observed immediately by all concerned.

From the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Rome, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, 25 March 2004.

Francis Card. ARINZE
Prefect

+Domenico SORRENTINO
Archbishop Secretary

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

GIRM 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.

The bolded sentence is the kicker. Of course one normally ought to reverence the Eucharist wherever it is, but the communion line is a procession, and thus the rubrics tell us not to genuflect - this can be, I believe, safely extended to other forms of reverence as well. So no, I don’t bow, but not from some personal theory about how I’ve become a tabernacle.

 

[allhers]

Poor analogy. I have not* just* received Holy Communion when I pass the Church on the road.

But if you did, would you?

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

The bolded sentence is the kicker. Of course one normally ought to reverence the Eucharist wherever it is, but the communion line is a procession, and thus the rubrics tell us not to genuflect - this can be, I believe, safely extended to other forms of reverence as well. So no, I don’t bow, but not from some personal theory about how I’ve become a tabernacle.

Hi,

Although I do agree with you myself, I’m not sure you can extend this instruction officially. There are many times when we are instructed to bow, rather than genuflect, so we cannot assume that the norms for genuflection can be extended to a simple bow.

In any event, there is certainly not any clear prohibition, so if this coordinator does have authority in parish procedure, I would think her instruction should be followed.

Lux

 

[EasterJoy]

Of course I wouldn’t knowingly get in people’s way or trip them up or anything. To an extent, any Catholic at church should and will make allowances for people bowing and genuflecting, it’s something that happens (or should happen) a lot.

Having said that, I don’t feel it’s my decision about reverencing the Chalice - I just don’t see anything in the GIRM that justifies any distinction between those who receive and don’t receive from the Chalice

Even if one who’s received the Host but doesn’t intend to receive from the Chalice is still ‘in procession’, well, so are those who are lining up to receive the Precious Blood, and THEY certainly aren’t exempt from making a reverence.

The GIRM specifically says that those who receive the Precious Blood should make a sign of reverence prior to receiving. The GIRM only directs those receiving under that species to do so, however. It does not say that all should make a sign of reverence, whether they simply pass by the chalice or approach to receive, so there is a distinction made in the GIRM between those who are receiving and those who are not.

Why that is, I can only speculate, but it is so.

 

[Jimmytwoguns]

When Our Lord instituted the Mass at the Last Supper, he didn’t say, this is my body which is given for you…This is my blood… do this in memory of me, oh and by the way, don’t bow to the blood if someone happens to be behind you, and whatever you do, make sure if you’re going to geneflect there’s at least two cubits length between you and the …

Christ loves us so much, he left the glories of Heaven to die on a Cross for us. I feel sure if we show our Saviour all the reverence due to him, whether that means we kneel with our knees, bow with our heads or do both with our hearts as the particular occasion, space, opportunity allows, that is what matters. The rest is formalistic legalism and makes those outside the CC think we’re nuts and gives them more ammo.

God bless

JTG’S

 

[EasterJoy]

When Our Lord instituted the Mass at the Last Supper, he didn’t say, this is my body which is given for you…This is my blood… do this in memory of me, oh and by the way, don’t bow to the blood if someone happens to be behind you, and whatever you do, make sure if you’re going to geneflect there’s at least two cubits length between you and the …

Christ loves us so much, he left the glories of Heaven to die on a Cross for us. I feel sure if we show our Saviour all the reverence due to him, whether that means we kneel with our knees, bow with our heads or do both with our hearts as the particular occasion, space, opportunity allows, that is what matters. The rest is formalistic legalism and makes those outside the CC think we’re nuts and gives them more ammo.

God bless

JTG’S

Let me guess: You’re not a liturgist.

 

[Jimmytwoguns]

I love the liturgy, but I don’t cut mint leaves into tenths or let the water run from my hands to my wrists without washing them properly in order to technically follow the rules. I leave that to the pharisees to whom outword show and apparent adherence to rigid form was paramount.

JTG’S