Questions on Acolyte Postures/Actions

[cantor12]

During weekday masses, the altar servers bow to the celebrant after preparing the altar and after cleansing his hands before he begins the Eucharistic Prayers. Is this considered appropriate postures? My understanding was that the only time a bow by the acolytes was appropriate was to the tabernacle/altar when entering/leaving the sanctuary and when the celebrant genuflects to the gifts during the consecration. Any clarification would be appreciated!

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

cantor12:

During weekday masses, the altar servers bow to the celebrant after preparing the altar and after cleansing his hands before he begins the Eucharistic Prayers. Is this considered appropriate postures? My understanding was that the only time a bow by the acolytes was appropriate was to the tabernacle/altar when entering/leaving the sanctuary and when the celebrant genuflects to the gifts during the consecration. Any clarification would be appreciated!

They bow at my parish. This was the Mass by Archbishop Burke when he visited Assumption Grotto from St. Louis for the Marian Catechist one day conference with Mass. It was in honor of Fr. John A. Hardon, who founded the apostolate and resided at Assumption Grotto in his final years.

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[AJV]

cantor12:

During weekday masses, the altar servers bow to the celebrant after preparing the altar and after cleansing his hands before he begins the Eucharistic Prayers. Is this considered appropriate postures? My understanding was that the only time a bow by the acolytes was appropriate was to the tabernacle/altar when entering/leaving the sanctuary and when the celebrant genuflects to the gifts during the consecration. Any clarification would be appreciated!

It is most certainly appropriate. At least, AFAIK.

First off, bowing is the liturgical expression of couresy. So for example, before the thurifer incenses the other acolytes, he will bow to them before and after censing and they will bow back in acknowlegdement.

Secondly, I have heard that bowing to the priest is appropriate because, for the mass, his role is in loco Christi. In the same way bows (sometimes left-knee genuflections) are made to a bishop because he is the succesor of the Apostles, in whom resides the fullness of orders, around whom the religious and sacramental life of the diocese depends/revolves.

 

[AltarMan]

cantor12:

During weekday masses, the altar servers bow to the celebrant after preparing the altar and after cleansing his hands before he begins the Eucharistic Prayers. Is this considered appropriate postures? My understanding was that the only time a bow by the acolytes was appropriate was to the tabernacle/altar when entering/leaving the sanctuary and when the celebrant genuflects to the gifts during the consecration. Any clarification would be appreciated!

It would be most appropriate for the server(s) to bow to the altar (as an icon of Jesus) after preparing it, as they step away. It would not be appropriate to bow to the celebrant at this point.

At the conclusion of the lavabo (hand washing) both the celebrant and the server(s) often bow to one another, although it’s certainly not a requirement – just good manners. The bow is appropriate because the celerbant’s hands are freshly washed and because the servers hands are usually full at this point.

 

[AltarMan]

AJV:

It is most certainly appropriate. At least, AFAIK.

First off, bowing is the liturgical expression of couresy. So for example, before the thurifer incenses the other acolytes, he will bow to them before and after censing and they will bow back in acknowlegdement.

Secondly, I have heard that bowing to the priest is appropriate because, for the mass, his role is in loco Christi. In the same way bows (sometimes left-knee genuflections) are made to a bishop because he is the succesor of the Apostles, in whom resides the fullness of orders, around whom the religious and sacramental life of the diocese depends/revolves.

Bowing is the “liturgical expression” of veneration. The profound bow required of the incensing altar server is NOT an expression of courtesy to those being incensed – it is an acknowledgment of the importance of, and adds to the solemnity of the thurification. The faithful are not directed to bow back, BTW.

Though I have heard it casually mentioned, I have never read a Church document that actually suggests or even mentions left-knee genuflections, be it in front of the pope or anyone else.

 

[John_Lilburne]

cantor12:

During weekday masses, the altar servers bow to the celebrant after preparing the altar and after cleansing his hands before he begins the Eucharistic Prayers. Is this considered appropriate postures? My understanding was that the only time a bow by the acolytes was appropriate was to the tabernacle/altar when entering/leaving the sanctuary and when the celebrant genuflects to the gifts during the consecration. Any clarification would be appreciated!

The liturgical books describe in detail bowing to a bishop, but not to a priest. However if incense is used the priest would be bowed to before and after incensation, following the Ceremonial of Bishops, n. 91: “Before and after incensation, a profound bow is made to the person or object that is incensed, except in the case of the incensation of the altar and the gifts for the eucharistic sacrifice.”

Another mention of bowing to a priest is when a deacon receives the priest’s blesssing before proclaiming the Gospel.

The bows for a bishop, from the Ceremonial of Bishops:

1. The bishop is greeted with a deep bow by the ministers or others when they approach to assist him, when the leave after assisting him, or when they pass in front of him.

1. When the bishop’s chair is behind the altar, the ministers should reverence either the altar or the bishop, depending on whether they are approaching the altar or approaching the bishop; out of reverence for both, ministers should, as far as possible, avoid passing between the bishop and the altar.

1. If several bishops are present in the sanctuary (chancel), a reverence is made only to the one presiding.

 

[AJV]

AltarMan:

Bowing is the “liturgical expression” of veneration. The profound bow required of the incensing altar server is NOT an expression of courtesy to those being incensed – it is an acknowledgment of the importance of, and adds to the solemnity of the thurification. The faithful are not directed to bow back, BTW.

Though I have heard it casually mentioned, I have never read a Church document that actually suggests or even mentions left-knee genuflections, be it in front of the pope or anyone else.

You are right, no liturgical books mention the left knee genuflection. It seems to be more of a custom. Also, I am not sure, but I think left knee genuflections are reserved to the Ordinary of the diocese, or any bishop to whom he has granted the priveledge to officiate from the cathedra. Other bishops get a profound bow.

The profound bow made by the thurifer is most certainly not a mere expression of courtesy, however, I was commenting on the custom of bowing back to the thurifer, which I always took as courtesy/acknowledgement. This is also generally, not done by the congregation but other members of the altar party. I have read about it in the ‘high’ ‘Anglo-Catholic’ circles and seen it in videos of masses following ‘Tridentine’ usuage. Again, this is probably just liturgical etiquette, and may not found in the official books.

 

[John_Lilburne]

AJV:

Also, I am not sure, but I think left knee genuflections are reserved to the Ordinary of the diocese, or any bishop to whom he has granted the priveledge to officiate from the cathedra. Other bishops get a profound bow.

The left knee genuflections were stopped by the 1968 Instruction of the Sacred Congregation for Rites “Pontificalis ritus”.

D. THINGS TO BE ELIMINATED
25. The bishop is no longer greeted by a genuflection but by a bow. In carrying out their service the ministers stand rather than kneel before him, unless kneeling is more practical.

From Documents on the Liturgy 1963-1979, Liturgical Press, 1982, ISBN 0-8146-1281-4, page 1395.

The Ceremonial of Bishops also stresses this:
“69. A genuflection, made by bending only the right knee to the ground signifies adoration, and is therefore reserved for the blessed sacrament, when exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, and for the holy cross from the time of the solemn adoration in the liturgical celebration of Good Friday until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.”
(From Ceremonial of Bishops, Liturgical Press, 1989, ISBN 0-8146-1818-9, page 36).