Recieving Eucharist

[klhardy33]

I was told by a Priest that genuflecting before recieving the Eucharist was drawing attention to myself and was individualistic. Never had I even thought of that. My intention was to give complete reverence to Jesus Christ. Is there a Church position on genuflecting before recieving Him and where can I research this matter? I found nothing in the Catechism.

 

[Fergal]

Your actions are perfectly in line with Church expectations! The Church expects you to make an act of reverence before receiving the Sacred Host.

This can be a bow or a genuflection or if you wish you may kneel. The Bishop may issue a directive in relation to a certain act of reverence but may never prohibit any of them. The choice is yours.

I urge you, because of your obvious reverence, to keep on doing what you are doing.

 

[japhy]

I was told by a Priest that genuflecting before recieving the Eucharist was drawing attention to myself and was individualistic. Never had I even thought of that. My intention was to give complete reverence to Jesus Christ.

In the dioceses of the US, we are asked to bow our head before receiving IF we are receiving standing up. It is also permitted to receive kneeling, in which case no other sign of reverence is required. So genuflecting and then receiving standing is not what the bishops have called for.

Now, you have stated your intention was not to draw attention to yourself or be individualistic; the priest has judged incorrectly. However, you should follow the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) on this one, and either bow your head or else receive kneeling.

If your priest takes issue with you receiving kneeling, let him know that it is your right to do so (see here and here).

 

[Trishie]

Perhaps you could bow quietly before receiving Communion. This is the official recommendation of our Australian Bishops from June 2008. In this way you show deep respect but without inconveniencing anyone behind or you holding up the giving of Communion for those behind you.

 

[mommyof4]

You might want to take a look at this Ask an Apologist answer.

Personally, I wouldn’t genuflect for fear of tripping the person behind me in line and starting a domino effect…

 

[LilyM]

Eek! Just doublechecked the wording from the Australian bishops - bowing is a must. But does that mean you can’t do BOTH? I tend to genuflect as I near the front of the queue, then bow my head just before receiving. :hmm: Oh well, I’ll assume it’s OK unless told otherwise.

 

[NPC]

For a priest to accuse you of being individualistic and genuflecting to draw attention to yourself is ridiculous. He is accusing you of making Communion about the person rather than Christ. In actual fact, I would say it is he who is making Communion about the people because he expects you to conform to other peoples’ non-genuflection before receiving, rather than focusing on Christ - the very reason for your genuflection. As others have shown, you are perfectly entitled to genuflect or bow before receiving Christ, and I suggest you continue to show such great reverence before taking Communion. The priest should be encouraging such practices rather than trying to eliminate them.