Reverencing the altar

[MusicMan]

The GIRM doesn’t have authority over what happens in a church outside of Mass.

The only reason it has jurisdiction over the time between the Mass of the Presanctified and the Easter Vigil is because Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil are really one cohesive celebration spread over three days.

In normal use, the GIRM has no jurisdiction outside of Mass.

The GILOTH has authority over the Divine Offices, and Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest has jurisdiction over Word and Communion Services.

We genuflect out of reverence to the Blessed Sacrament, and, in its absence we make a profound bow to the altar. This is sacred tradition, not because the rulebook for Mass says so.

 

[jbebeau]

Then I’ll have to disagree MusicMan. The GIRM lists both specific rubrics for the celebration on the Mass and general norms for things in relations to the Mass, the church building, gestures and reverences, etc.

 

[MusicMan]

What does it say about the church building that does not relate directly to the Mass?

 

[John_Lilburne]

Some more examples, from the 2002 GIRM:
“308. … It is appropriate that such a cross, which calls to mind for the faithful the saving Passion of the Lord, remain near the altar even outside of liturgical celebrations.”

“298. It is appropriate to have a fixed altar in every church, since it more clearly and permanently signifies Christ Jesus, the living stone (1 Pt 2:4; cf. Eph 2:20). In other places set aside for sacred celebrations, the altar may be movable.” The altar in a Church is not to be there just for Mass.

“314. In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.”

Other examples: 311 (seating), 314 (lamp alight), 318 (sacred images), 334 (Sacrarium) and 398 (inculturation).

 

[MusicMan]

All of those things relate to the celebration of the Mass, so the GIRM would have authority over their existance and placement. You haven’t really proved that the GIRM has the authority to direct how people enter the church. Because it doesn’t.

 

[nana3]

GIRM 274-275 describe the occasions for genuflecting and bowing.

Genuflection “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” (GIRM 274).

A bow of the head (a simple bow) is made at the mention of the three Divine Persons (i.e. “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”, which means it’s made during the Sign of the Cross and the beginning of the “Glory Be”), at the mention of the names of Jesus, Mary, and the saint(s) of the day. (cf. GIRM 275a)

A bow of the body (a profound bow) is made to the altar. (cf. GIRM 275b) It is also made by those who are not kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer, when the priest genuflects (right after the consecrations).

Where can I find more on what the GIRM says. I am looking for genuflection when entering a church with a Tabernacle present. My church is telling the Confirmation class that it does not need to genuflect or bow when entering the church, that they are simply to just sit down. I wanted to prove they were wrong. The DRE was there but not the one who made the statement. I had the same problem with the same parish when my dd made her First Communion last year. It was in our old church, we have a new one now, and at that time the Tabernacle is off to the right. They told us that we only genuflect if we are on the right side of the church and bow if on the left side of the church. I mentioned it to the principal and teacher that was wrong, but they said they would do nothing without the pastor’s okay. I talked with the Pastor and he said he wants them to genuflect for that is what they are to do when the Tabernacle is in the church with Jesus present. Well, the new church has the Tabernacle in the center of the church. The pastor was hoping for more respect and more people to genuflect, but now his own people are saying you don’t need to genuflect to our young people. It is upsetting and yes, I will inform the pastor what they are saying. I just wanted to have the proper GIRM to quote to the DRE who says I am wrong.

Thanks for the GIRM you did quote, for I will be using them too. Is there a website?

 

[japhy]

Where can I find more on what the GIRM says.

The USCCB has the GIRM for the dioceses in the United States online here.

I am looking for genuflection when entering a church with a Tabernacle present. My church is telling the Confirmation class that it does not need to genuflect or bow when entering the church, that they are simply to just sit down. I wanted to prove they were wrong. The DRE was there but not the one who made the statement. I had the same problem with the same parish when my dd made her First Communion last year. It was in our old church, we have a new one now, and at that time the Tabernacle is off to the right. They told us that we only genuflect if we are on the right side of the church and bow if on the left side of the church. I mentioned it to the principal and teacher that was wrong, but they said they would do nothing without the pastor’s okay. I talked with the Pastor and he said he wants them to genuflect for that is what they are to do when the Tabernacle is in the church with Jesus present. Well, the new church has the Tabernacle in the center of the church. The pastor was hoping for more respect and more people to genuflect, but now his own people are saying you don’t need to genuflect to our young people.

If you can see the tabernacle, you should genuflect to it; if you cannot see it (which shouldn’t be the case) or if it is empty (on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday), you should bow to the altar. This is a long-standing tradition and there is no reason to stop it.