Primary Source on Signs of Reverence

[EasterJoy]

I’m looking for a source on what rubrics there are concerning reverence in church: towards the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle and towards the altar, both at Mass and outside of Mass. What is subject to local custom, what isn’t, what is the meaning of each gesture and when is it or is it not used?

I’m not looking for a recital of what the rubrics are.
I’m looking for a primary source where the current rubrics in general, such as they are, are written down and what diocese-specific rubrics are likely to exist, that I would to look for to find for my own diocese.

If you don’t know a primary source, a good secondary source would be of interest, too.

Thank you!

 

[John_Lilburne]

…I’m not looking for a recital of what the rubrics are.
I’m looking for a primary source where the current rubrics in general, such as they are, are written down and what diocese-specific rubrics are likely to exist, that I would to look for to find for my own diocese. …

I don’t think there are any “diocese-specific rubrics”. The liturgical books are the source. The role of the individual bishop is quite limited.

It is expressed in n. 387 of the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html .

A Conference of Bishops makes some decisions, like the sign of reverence to be made before receiving Communion. So there is a different GIRM for Australia, USA and England/Wales.

Besides the Roman Missal, other primary sources are other liturgical books. Particularly important for signs of reverence are:
Ceremonial of Bishops
Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass.

 

[EasterJoy]

I don’t think there are any “diocese-specific rubrics”. The liturgical books are the source. The role of the individual bishop is quite limited.

It is expressed in n. 387 of the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html .

A Conference of Bishops makes some decisions, like the sign of reverence to be made before receiving Communion. So there is a different GIRM for Australia, USA and England/Wales.

Besides the Roman Missal, other primary sources are other liturgical books. Particularly important for signs of reverence are:
Ceremonial of Bishops
Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass.

I can find some things in the GIRM on what the rubrics are during Mass and when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, but haven’t found what I’m looking for concerning conduct in a Catholic church where the Blessed Sacrament and an altar are present but Mass in not going to be immediately conducted.

I’ll look again, and if I can’t find it, I’ll grab someone who’s been ordained, and ask him! That’s why the bishop sent him to school.

Thanks for your help!

 

[John_Lilburne]

From Ceremonial of Bishps:
“Reverence toward the blessed sacrament
71 No one who enters a church should fail to adore the blessed sacrament, either by visiting the blessed sacrament chapel or at least by genuflecting.
Similarly, those who pass before the blessed sacrament genuflect, expect when they are walking in procession.
Reverence toward the altar
72 A deep bow is made to the altar by all who enter the sanctuary (chancel), leave it, or pass before the altar.”
(Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, pages 36-37.)

 

[FromTheAshes777]

If the Tabernacle is located over to one side next to the altar, say over to the right when one is sitting in a pew, should a person genuflect in the direction of the tabernacle, or straight down the isle twoards the altar? splitting hairs I know. Thanks.

 

[EasterJoy]

If the Tabernacle is located over to one side next to the altar, say over to the right when one is sitting in a pew, should a person genuflect in the direction of the tabernacle, or straight down the isle twoards the altar? splitting hairs I know. Thanks.

I don’t think it is splitting hairs, because the standards have theological reasons. I want to teach both the standards and their reasons!