Question about sign of the cross/bowing

[ProVobis]

This is a Personal Pious Practice that gives RIGHT honor to God:thumbsup:

That’s my feel too. Almost anything’s better than to just walk in and sit right down.

 

[mommy_k]

Another time to bow is if you are passing in front of the tabernacle perpendicular–such as walking through the center aisle to the other side of church.

 

[paperwight66]

Another time to bow is if you are passing in front of the tabernacle perpendicular–such as walking through the center aisle to the other side of church.

But if you can, you should genuflect, in case this post is confusing. Bow if you can’t, or are carrying something which means it would be unwise to genuflect - a chalice, for example, or something heavy.like a chair.

 

[alphomega]

I get a kick out of these threads. No wonder folks are turned off by all the “rules” of the Catholic faith. The precepts of the Church (Bare minimum) are pretty basic.

The Precepts

You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor.
We must “sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord” (Sunday), as well as the principal feast days, known as Catholic holy days of obligation. This requires attending Mass, “and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days.”

You shall confess your sins at least once a year.
We must prepare for the Eucharist by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). This sacrament “continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness.”

You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
This “guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.”

You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
“The fourth precept ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.”

You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.
“The fifth precept means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability.”

As far as postures & gestures go…Study, learn and follow your heart for the rest. The Holy Ghost will surely guide you.

God Bless and a joy filled Good Friday to all.

 

[PJM]

That’s my feel too. Almost anything’s better than to just walk in and sit right down.

Thank you

 

[PJM]

Another time to bow is if you are passing in front of the tabernacle perpendicular–such as walking through the center aisle to the other side of church.

FROM the CURRENT
GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL: GRIM
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.

God Bless you,
Patrick

 

[mommy_k]

Thank You Patrick for elaborating.

I wanted just make it clear to everyone who passes the Blessed Sacrament to show reverence, even if you did not arrive at your pew but passed in front of it.
.