Not genuflecting: Mortal Sin?

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as an altar boy in the early 60’s we were taught to genuflect anytime we pass a tabernacle in church, the only exception was when serving on the altar, then a bow in reverence was acceptable

i think it also comes down to our understanding of church…it is the residence of our Lord…when he is present, our entire behavior should reflect that fact

personally, i feel a bow or a genuflection say the same thing if one is properly respectful and understands the significance of the act itself and the reason behind it

one church i attend has the tabernacle off to the side, when the priest returns any unused hosts, most of the congregation, including the celebrant, will turn towards the tabernacle, when the priest genuflects, a great number of people will bow as well…it seems fitting, and shows it is not just a cup being put away, but evidence and recognition of the greatest miracle ever performed
 
MtnDwellar said:
We genuflect in honor of Jesus who is present in the tabernacle. Failure to genuflect denies His presence and is blasphemous.
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Oh, really, I’ll tell my arthritic knees. I can get down, can’t get back up for several long minutes, then I have to make the most unladylike movements to get upright again. :o

I’ll continue profoundly bowing my upper body and head. 😦
 
Inquiringperson said:
Truth be told guys, I was wondering if not genuflecting was grave matter or not. That’s why I asked. So I’m guessing not genuflecting when you are able to because you are lazy is venial, right?
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Without considering the geneflection at all first. Laziness can be a sin depending on what one is being lazy about. It is not an excuse for not doing things or performing one’s obligation. If that obligation constitutes sin, then the laziness become a sin. For example not going for the mass on days of obligation because you just feel lazy.

Laziness is not a virtue but a vice. As in all things, virtue leads to growth and vice lead to being unfruitful. If we believe that Jesus is truly present in the Tabernacle, what would we do? Would we be casual about it or would we respect the Lord there?

If we examine our conscience properly at the end of the day, not genuflecting in front on the Tabernacle willfully would certainly bring about a lot of food for thought and in what situation is the state of our spiritual being.

Your question perhaps is an indication of something else that you may like to examine yourself. Like someone said before this, Catholicism is not just a set of legalities but actually where your heart is.
 
asia53 said:
Oh, really, I’ll tell my arthritic knees. I can get down, can’t get back up for several long minutes, then I have to make the most unladylike movements to get upright again. :o

I’ll continue profoundly bowing my upper body and head. 😦
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Of course, 🙂 but I don’t think that’s what the poster meant. Genuflection is an act of veneration, reverence and respect and we will do it insomuch that our body allows it. As always, with the Lord it is in the heart that matters.
 
odhiambo said:
To me it all depends on the reason for not genuflection.
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But people can be laze and use the awful bowing. If there are people who can’t genuflect then I think a bow is acceptable

In nomine Patris, + et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Introibo ad altare Dei. R: Ad deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.
 
Aran_Houlihan said:
But people can be laze and use the awful bowing. If there are people who can’t genuflect then I think a bow is acceptable
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A bow is acceptable, but still “awful”?

While bowing is the tradition of my own church, I do generally genuflect when I’m in a Latin church. I try to remind my children, but they are used to that awful bowing, so that is generally what they do.

I am unable to easily genuflect on the right knee, so I use the left. It isn’t that I don’t know any better.

I think that the best we can do is to show the utmost reverence and respect for the Blessed Sacrament ourselves, thus setting a good example for others. Those who know to genuflect but don’t for some reason might feel encouraged to resume the practice. Those who are ignorant of the practice might be curious and ask about it. In all cases, we should avoid being judgmental of others, especially when we don’t know their hearts and what internal reverence for the Sacrament exists.
 
Aran_Houlihan said:
But people can be laze and use the awful bowing. If there are people who can’t genuflect then I think a bow is acceptable

In nomine Patris, + et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Introibo ad altare Dei. R: Ad deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.
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Bowing is NOT awful and maybe used because of one’s tradition and/or physical limitation.

How big of you to “accept” a bow from people who can’t genuflect! As someone with physical limitations I thank you for charity!

Really, once again, I am glad I will be judged by my heavenly father and not some of the people on CAF
 
coachdennis said:
Bowing is NOT awful and maybe used because of one’s tradition and/or physical limitation.

How big of you to “accept” a bow from people who can’t genuflect! As someone with physical limitations I thank you for charity!

Really, once again, I am glad I will be judged by my heavenly father and not some of the people on CAF
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I don’t mind people bowing if they got om people have a with physical limitations but its people haven’t got any physical limitations and bow just because the cant be bothered to genuflect

: In nomine Patris, + et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Introibo ad altare Dei. R: Ad deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.
 
I certainly hope it is not a mortal sin and if so, I will need to step down from my longstanding ministries due to back and knee problems which prevent me from genuflecting any longer. Upon approaching the Tabernacle of our Lord I am able to make an attempt at geneflecting however I cannot go all the way down on my knee, if I did, I would fall or not be able to get back up. I genuflect as best I can at the Tabernacle and all other times when approaching the altar, I bow reverently from the waist. I love our Jesus with all my heart and have served him faithfully for many years. He knows what is in my heart and knows my limitations. Please let me know if this is a mortal sin so I can take it up with my Pastor.
 
empantarhei said:
(Bad knees.) Somehow, for me, a bow is more reverent anyway.
Intent, intent, intent…
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Same here. MOST days I cannot genuflect. A reverent bow has the same intent and does not leave me obviously in pain, or crying out and drawing attention to myself, or needing help up…
 
Aran_Houlihan said:
I don’t mind people bowing if they got om people have a with physical limitations but its people haven’t got any physical limitations and bow just because the cant be bothered to genuflect

: In nomine Patris, + et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Introibo ad altare Dei. R: Ad deum qui laetificat juventutem meam.
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And who are you to judge which is which? Are you to accost those of us who bow instead and ask or are you going to sit there making your tsk tsk noises and assuming that we are lazy or disrespectful.
 
RyanBlack said:
The first sentence is absolutely correct. The second sentence is quite presumptuous, and, in some cases, is slanderous. I am Eastern Catholic, and genuflecting is not part of our tradition. I do not genuflect when attending Roman Catholic Mass, either, but I certainly do not deny the presence of Christ in the tabernacle. I hardly think my failure to genuflect is a matter of blasphemy. Neither do I think it is a matter of blasphemy for a number of other reasons that people fail to genuflect.
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Is it presumptuous to think if Jesus Christ was standing in front of the tabernacle that a person would not hit a knee? It’s the same.

My statement was opinion not slander. No one’s reputation was injured.
 
I wouldn’t say it’s a mortal sin, but if you truly believe your God is there in that tabernacle you would surely genuflect.
 
MtnDwellar said:
Is it presumptuous to think if Jesus Christ was standing in front of the tabernacle that a person would not hit a knee? It’s the same.

My statement was opinion not slander. No one’s reputation was injured.
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I rather think the person would prostrate himself. Does the fact that few prostrate themselves before the tabernacle indicate a lack of faith? The ways in which show faith and respect are shaped by our culture and education.
 
babochka said:
I rather think the person would prostrate himself. Does the fact that few prostrate themselves before the tabernacle indicate a lack of faith? The ways in which show faith and respect are shaped by our culture and education.
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Prostrating oneself is also sign of respect.

I think the main point is to show some reverence to our Lord.
 
MtnDwellar said:
Prostrating oneself is also sign of respect.

I think the main point is to show some reverence to our Lord.
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RedSparklyShoes said:
Same here. MOST days I cannot genuflect. A reverent bow has the same intent and does not leave me obviously in pain, or crying out and drawing attention to myself, or needing help up…
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To be honest, I am seeing more and more bowing, which is new to me. Bowing form older folk, too. I mention that because I am seeing this from a generation I grew up with, who would bend the knee. Which actually goes back to the wounded knee concept. Except, the younger ones are bowing, too.
Hmmm…
 
babochka said:
Right. Which includes bowing.
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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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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. above, nos. 210-251).
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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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Ministers carrying the processional cross or candles bow their heads instead of genuflecting.
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First of all, there is such a loss of Faith in the Real Presence you would wonder why a lot of people aren’t genuflecting. Now, I’m not talking about elderly people with medical problems. I mean lukewarm Catholics who have loss the Faith and have not been educated in the Catholic faith. If you truly believe it is Jesus Christ in the tabernacle, then of course you would show as much respect as possible to him.
 
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