Question on the Nicene Creed

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In the Nicene Creed, we are to bow during the lines, “by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” What is the reason for this and why do only a handful, if any, do it?

Thanks,
Kathy
 
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KathyA:
In the Nicene Creed, we are to bow during the lines, “by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” What is the reason for this and why do only a handful, if any, do it?

Thanks,
Kathy
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Bowing at this time is a custom in the Latin Church to show respect for the actions of God in our lives through the *fiat *(let it be done) of Mary.

Only a handful do it because the majority do not know they are supposed to do it.

Deacon Ed
 
Only a handful do it because the majority do not know they are supposed to do it.
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I agree. Our missalette does include this instruction but most people recite the creed from memory and don’t see it or else if they do read from the missalette they assume the rubric is optional b’cause no one else is doing it (self-perpetuating problem!).
 
We used to genuflect at these lines, which bring to mind the Incarnation of God the Son. Somehow, we got away from doing that when the Mass was done in English. But we are still supposed to bow.
 
I don’t know if anyone else is or isn’t doing it, because I’m bowing down. 😉
 
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JimG:
We used to genuflect at these lines, which bring to mind the Incarnation of God the Son. Somehow, we got away from doing that when the Mass was done in English. But we are still supposed to bow.
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I don’t recall genuflecting at every Mass when the Creed was said, but it has been a long time. However, we do genuflect, if I recall correctly, on Christmas and Easter.
 
Deacon Ed:
Only a handful do it [genuflect or bow] because the majority do not know they are supposed to do it.Deacon Ed
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Why don’t they know they are supposed to? As a deacon, a few words from you when you give a sermon would be a sufficient antidote to the ignorance, don’t you think? What prevents you or the priests in your parish from simply insisting that the faithful conform to this rubric? – Sincerely, Albert Cipriani the Traditional Catholic
 
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otm:
I don’t recall genuflecting at every Mass when the Creed was said, but it has been a long time. However, we do genuflect, if I recall correctly, on Christmas and Easter.
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Christmas and the Feast of the Annunciation.
 
When the new GIRM norms were introduced during Mass this year at our parish, it was clearly taught at that time. Since then there has never been (as far as I know) any reminder from the pulpit or in the bulletin that this practice is to be done. The priests and the deacons and a handful of us lay people do it, but 99% of others in attendence have not caught on. Perhaps it takes more than example and a one time notification?
 
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Fidelis:
The priests and the deacons and a handful of us lay people do it, but 99% of others in attendence have not caught on. Perhaps it takes more than example and a one time notification?
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Why don’t you ask your priest and deacons why they don’t enforce the GRIM norms? Don’t you think that laxity in the liturgy is contagious? – Sincerely, Albert Cipriani the Traditional Catholic
 
I’m beginning to thing it would be easier for it to “catch on” again if the GIRM had mandated genuflecting instead of bowing. We get every variation from a nod of the head to a profound bow, to nothing, whereas genuflecting comes naturally to most Catholics.
 
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JimG:
I’m beginning to thing it would be easier for it to “catch on” again if the GIRM had mandated genuflecting…
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Do I detect a reluctance to exercise authority here? Why should we be reduced to hoping that a rubric catches on when the Church has the absolute authority to ensure its practice? Do we really want to lower liturgical rubrics to the status of diseases as something that we catch? – Sincerely, Albert Cipriani the Traditional Catholic
 
albert cipriani:
Do I detect a reluctance to exercise authority here? Why should we be reduced to hoping that a rubric catches on when the Church has the absolute authority to ensure its practice? Do we really want to lower liturgical rubrics to the status of diseases as something that we catch? – Sincerely, Albert Cipriani the Traditional Catholic
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Since you seem to think that there is absolute authority on the issue, are you proposing that the Church has a punishment it can impose?

And what would that be? Refusing Communion? Public excoriation? Whacking them across the knuckles with a ruler?

I can understand the frustration when the rubrics are not followed; they should be something more than an exercise in futility. But seriously, your call upon “absolute authority” bespeaks of a rigid overbearing absolutism on rules; it seems to me that Christ had more than a few things to say about the Pharisees’ attitudes towards rules. The purpose of the rule is to show profound respect for the miracle of God - made - man, not to cause the bobbing up and down as marionettes.

Perhaps a reminder might be enough?
 
punishment for not bowing? how about whacking them across the instep with the kneeler. we genuflected when I was a kid, then the practice changed to bowing and lots of people thought that was horribly minimalistic, I have been bowing ever since, good, because my genuflecting days are over, the spirit is willing but the knees are shot.
 
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otm:
Since you seem to think that there is absolute authority on the issue…
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Are you suggesting that the Church, the Kingdom of God on earth does not have absolute authority? Does not Jesus words “what you bind on earth is bound in heaven” denote absolute authority?
…are you proposing that the Church has a punishment it can impose?
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No.
And what would that be? Refusing Communion? Public excoriation? Whacking them across the knuckles with a ruler?
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Why the sarcasm?
Your call upon “absolute authority” bespeaks of a rigid overbearing absolutism on rules; it seems to me that Christ had more than a few things to say about the Pharisees’ attitudes towards rules.
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Didn’t our Lord condemn the Pharisees for hypocritically violating the rules that they burdened other with? Didn’t he say to obey the Pharisees because they sat on the authoritative seat of Moses?
The purpose of the rule is to show profound respect for the miracle of God - made - man, not to cause the bobbing up and down as marionettes.
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To genuflect in God’s house is “bobbing up and down as marionettes” to you? How Sad, Sincerely, Albert Cipriani the Traditional Catholic
 
albert cipriani:
Why don’t they know they are supposed to? As a deacon, a few words from you when you give a sermon would be a sufficient antidote to the ignorance, don’t you think? What prevents you or the priests in your parish from simply insisting that the faithful conform to this rubric? – Sincerely, Albert Cipriani the Traditional Catholic
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Albert,

Ah, it’s been mentioned, and not just once. My pastor has mentioned it, I have mentioned it, and we put it in the bulletin. As for “insisting” – one can only insist when there is a way to enforce. At best we can request, or perhaps suggest, that the people follow the teaching of the Church. Since it’s been mentioned more people are bowing, but still not all – and it’s because they have not made it a habit.

Deacon Ed
 
I agree that alot of people just dont know. At our midnight mass on Christmas Eve, At the point where that part is said, it is a practice that all kneel and pause for a brief moment.
 
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