O.K. to genuflect?

[Stillkickin]

When one is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is it acceptable to genuflect before going up onto the altar? Here are the particulars. The tabernacle is located on the altar and I have been told not to genuflect but to only bow.

Paragraph 274 in the GIRM states this: "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.

Since this is the first time I have approached the altar and I am not in procession should I genuflect? Or since Mass has already started does it exclude me from genflecting?

Thanks.

 

[paperwight66]

When one is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is it acceptable to genuflect before going up onto the altar? Here are the particulars. The tabernacle is located on the altar and I have been told not to genuflect but to only bow.

Paragraph 274 in the GIRM states this: "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.

Since this is the first time I have approached the altar and I am not in procession should I genuflect? Or since Mass has already started does it exclude me from genflecting?

Thanks.

I would interpret that to mean firstly, EMHCs are included in the phrase ‘other ministers’, and secondly, it is during Mass so you are not to genuflect.

That is how it works in our parish, anyway, and in the Cathedral too.

 

[zab]

When one is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is it acceptable to genuflect before going up onto the altar? Here are the particulars. The tabernacle is located on the altar and I have been told not to genuflect but to only bow.

Paragraph 274 in the GIRM states this: "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.

Since this is the first time I have approached the altar and I am not in procession should I genuflect? Or since Mass has already started does it exclude me from genflecting?

Thanks.

You have been taught correctly. I think the G.I.R.M. is referring to all those in the entrance procession when Mass begins and when Mass ends. Otherwise, during Mass you bow not genuflect.

 

[jmcrae]

Since this is the first time I have approached the altar and I am not in procession should I genuflect? Or since Mass has already started does it exclude me from genflecting?

Thanks.

Hopefully you genuflected already when you came in to say your prayers before Mass. This is sufficient - we do not genuflect in the middle of Mass. A simply bow is appropriate before ascending the Altar to perform your duties there.