Reverencing the Alter and Tabernacle

[Figment713]

I was just over reading the thread about “religious pet peeves”, and noted comments by a couple members about folks who fail to properly reverence the alter and tabernacle. The comment was in particular reference to catachumens who were now coming into the Church…and apparantly didn’t know what to do.

Well, as someone in RCIA, I have to admit that is not an issue which has been covered in class. It may be before we’re done, but it hasn’t been yet. And, since I’m attending mass every week, I’m fearful it’s something I’m doing wrong/failing to do.

So, could someone please explain to me what it is I’m supposed to be doing. I truly have been watching folks at the Church, but I don’t know if they’re doing things right. (i.e., Sometimes I see people genuflect and bless themselves as they enter a pew…sometimes just genuflect without the blessing…sometimes they do one or both on the way out of the pew. I do see the priest bow as he crosses in front of the alter. I don’t see anyone else do it. Does one do different things for the alter vs. the tabernacle? At our church, the tabernacle is directly behind the alter vs. in a side chaple. Given their relative positions, does one do both or one, and if so, which one?)

See, this is the stuff you Cradle Catholics have ingrained into your very souls, and the rest of us actually have to learn.

Thanks very much.

 

[Fidelis]

I can really empathize with you as this is one of the major gripes I had when I completed RCIA 20 years ago. I guess they figure you’ll catch on eventually, but it still leaves one uncomfortable in the meantime. Hopefully I can help you out.

Basically, when you enter a Church, you should bless (cross)yourself with Holy Water to remind yourself of your baptism and the fact that you are entering a sanctified place.

If the tabernacle is visible (i.e. hasn’t been hidden away in a seperate room ), look for the red lamp near it. If it is lit, that means the Jesus is present in the tabernacle. If not the tabernacle is empty and no genuflection is necessary. If Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is present, and if you are just going to walk around the church but not sit down (say you are just there to do the stations of the cross), you should genuflect on one knee at least once when you just enter the church. If you are going to sit in a pew, genuflect on one knee before entering and leaving. It is optional to cross yourself while genuflecting, but it is, IMHO, a laudable practice.

When passing directly in front of the altar, a simple bow at the waist is called for. If you are going to be working right in front of the altar for an extended period of time (say you’re arranging flowers or something), once is enough.

When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed as in Benediction or Adoration, a genuflection on both knees is required. Don’t try to bend both knees at once: go down on one knee, then the other, then back up the same way.

During Mass, a simple bow from the waist is required in the reciting of the Creed during the words “by the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man” (this is to honor the chief mystery of our Faith, the Incarnation). It is also traditional to bow the head slightly at the name of Jesus during prayer, especially at Mass. Also, right before the Gospel reading is proclaimed, we make a small cross on our foreheads, lips, and breast so the Gospel may be in our minds, words, and hearts. Many people (myself included) cross themselves after the Confietor ("“I confess, to Almighty God…” or “Lord, have mercy…”). Any other motions you see at Mass are recent innovations and are not required.

Hope that helps! And don’t forget: just because you don’t see anyone else doing is no reason for you not to.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Nicely done Fidelis! Very complete and thorough!

 

[Jayson]

The tabernacle at our parish is to the left of the altar. It has a lamp over it. I find it very annoying, however, that people do not genuflect toward the tabernacle, they genuflect toward the Altar.

 

[Pug]

Jayson:

The tabernacle at our parish is to the left of the altar. It has a lamp over it. I find it very annoying, however, that people do not genuflect toward the tabernacle, they genuflect toward the Altar.

Perhaps they are like me when I am in a strange parish. I start to genuflect and then realize their tabernacle is not where I subconsciously thought it would be, so then I frantically look around, don’t see it, but by that time, my habitual genuflection is almost over. So I just in my heart say hello to Jesus, where ever he may be situated, and then sit down in the pew. (Of course, many people are used to the tabernacle being dead center in the building, so that is why it would appear directed to the altar.)

Or, they may be poorly catechized.

 

[Eileen_T]

I am not botheredby catachumens who are coming into the Church not ‘Reverencing the Altar and Tabernacle’ so much as those cradle Catholics who have begun to neglect such observences.

Do you know the ones I mean? Those who also neglect to observe a Sacred Silence after Communion and whisper to their neighbors etc… And those who do the ‘Judas shuffle’ and regularly leave before the final blessing.

Those of you who have become/are becoming Catholics have my greatest respect. I an now going to have a talk with my parish priest to see what is happening in our parish to help converts feel ‘at home’ with reverential practices.

 

[YinYangMom]

This is a cradle Catholic who attends mass weekly and always has…up until this last parish, however, the tabernacle was in the same area of the altar.

I grew up knowing to genuflect as I approach the pew. I knew it had something to do with the crucifix, but only until recently at this new parish did I find out it was more about the tabernacle and not the crucifix.

This parish has an open room for the tabernacle off to the left of the altar. If one enters from the right of the church to approach a pew, the tabernacle is never visible.

Me, being raised as I was, would genuflect from the right before entering the pew and I taught my children the same.

Then our priest posted in the bulletin that we were to bow before the altar and **genuflect **before the tabernacle.

Suddenly the one motion was separated for me and I found it alarming (mostly because I had already trained my kids the old way).

So now, we are in the retraining mode. Bowing before the altar when approaching a pew from the right.

When we come in from the left side however, we genuflect facing the tabernacle.

I find it disruptive and disturbing but that’s because I’m an old dog having to learn a new trick. I don’t judge others too harshly for not knowing what to do anymore…if they went by what they saw I don’t know how they’d make sense of anything!

 

[Eileen_T]

When I visit my mother the Tabernacle is not in the main body of the Church. This is a new building and they put a small glassed-in chapel over to one side and the tabernacle is in there. Whenever I go to this Church I immediately go to the chapel and make an act of reverence and prayer before returning to the Church.

The first time we went to this Church my youngest glanced around with a puzzled look and asked “Where have they put Jesus?”

 

[Elzee]

Eileen T:

The first time we went to this Church my youngest glanced around with a puzzled look and asked “Where have they put Jesus?”

As the saying goes … 'it would take Mary 3 days to find her Son in some of our churches’ …sad.

 

[SMHW]

YinYangMom:

Then our priest posted in the bulletin that we were to bow before the altar and **genuflect **before the tabernacle.

I’m not sure this point was made clear enough. When entering a church where the tabernacle is not present it is proper to bow towards the altar.

If there is a tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament present, one genuflects towards the tabernacle. It is then not necessary to bow towards the altar.

 

[YinYangMom]

SMHW:

I’m not sure this point was made clear enough. When entering a church where the tabernacle is not present it is proper to bow towards the altar.

If there is a tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament present, one genuflects towards the tabernacle. It is then not necessary to bow towards the altar.

Hmmm…

The tabernacle is off to the side in a chapel which is open in the front and on two sides.

From the right side of the church one can’t even see the tabernacle, though they can see the chapel.

Entering even from the center aisle one can see the chapel but not necessarily the tabernacle, especially as one approaches the middle to front pews.

So only the people who enter from the left side of the church can really see the tabernacle.

So are you saying when I enter from the center or right I would only bow toward the altar before entering the pew?

And that if I enter from the left I’d genuflect before the tabernacle (with the candle lit) but I would not have to bow toward the altar as I pass by it to access the pews on the right side of the church?

 

[Figment713]

Thanks very much for clearing this up, guys.

As I said, as a new (not really even “new” yet…more of a “wanna-be”) Catholic, some of this stuff is really difficult to figure out. As many of you have noted in your replies, many of the parishoners seem to approach things in their own ways, so imitative behaviors aren’t necessarily going to be correct.

(This is the sort of stuff which if present in the CCC, which I expect it is since most things are, is buried deeply enough that it’s going to take a bit of time to find it. Another reason the Forums are so very helpful to those of us just learning.)

Thanks again!

 

[SMHW]

YinYangMom:

So are you saying when I enter from the center or right I would only bow toward the altar before entering the pew?

And that if I enter from the left I’d genuflect before the tabernacle (with the candle lit) but I would not have to bow toward the altar as I pass by it to access the pews on the right side of the church?

I think in the case you mentioned I’d bow before the altar as I passed by. What I said earlier was the general case but I don’t know that having a Blessed Sacrament chapel open to the main body of the church fits the general case.

It certainly doesn’t hurt anything to bow as you pass the altar.

Did your priest specifically say that people who enter from the left should perform both reverences? In our parish the Blessed Sacrament chapel is not visible from within the main body of the church so there is no confusion.

 

[SHJ-BVM]

Figment,

I want to first off say that Fidelis gave you some great info…but I need to clarify/add a few things.

First off, if the *Confiteor *is recited, you should strike your breast at the words “in my thoughts and in my words in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.” This goes back to when the mass was said in Latin. The original translation was "mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa (through my own faul, through my own fault, through my most grevious fault). Anyways, the directives are to strike the breast (just once). I actually do it three times (1.In my thoughts 2.)In my words 3.)In what I have done and in what I have failed to do.

Now after the Confiteor, or if that has been omitted, then the Kyrie Eleison (Lord have Mercy, Christ have Mercy, Lord have Mercy), the priest says “May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.” It is when the priest says May Almighty God “+” (now bless yourself) have mercy on us…

Now to where I disagree with Fidelis about any other signs being recent innovations…I am a cradle catholic 40+ years and have been doing these since I was knee-high to a grasshopper…

During the consecration (when trans-substantiation takes place), the priest says "The day before He suffered He took bread in His sacred hands and looking up to heaven, to You, His almighty Father, He gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to His disciples and said
Take this all of you and eat it: this is MY body which will be given up for you." As the priest raises the Host (Sanctus bells may ring):

I strike my breast and under my breath I recite “My Lord and My God”.

Once again, the priest takes and raises the cup and says “When supper was ended, He took the cup. Again He gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to His disciples and said
*Take this all of you and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.” *As the priest raises the cup (Sanctus bells may ring):

Once again, I strike my breast and say “My Lord and My God”.

Now we are on to the Agnus Dei…
“Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us.” (I strike my breast)
“Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us.” (I strike my breast)
“Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world grant us peace.” (I strike my breast)

Last, but not least…at the prayer before communion…

After the priest raises the Host and says “Behold, this IS the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper.” We reply “Lord I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” I again strike my breast.

Hope this helps for what you may see others doing at Mass.

 

[SHJ-BVM]

Figment,

This is just a P.S. …

Not to nitpick …it’s altAr…not altEr…

Alter=to change.
Altar=table on which the eucharistic elements are consecrated or which serves as a center of worship or ritual

 

[CharlesT]

This subject had always been a confusing thing for me.

When I went through RCIA 14 years ago I (we all) were told by a priest that genuflecting at the pew or anywhere in the church was always just an option (and, yes, the tabernacle was there behind the altar with the flame always lit). We were instead strongly encouraged to bow reverantly at the pew before being seated and to always bow before the altar. In the parish many genuflected and many did not.

Now just a little while ago (a year, maybe, and in a different archdiocese) our priest told us that the archbishop has instructed that bowing to the altar is to occur only on entering and leaving the church, but not at other times during the liturgy. Again, the tabernacle is there and the candle. I have never been told that genuflecting is required - quite the opposite.

I’ve followed this forum enough to know that someone will soon enlighten us with the facts about the official “rules.”

I eagerly await hearing from them.

Thanks.

 

[Sean_O_L]

I’m with Fidelis - well, I would be if I could be!

Inasmuch as I had a complete knee replacement a bit more than a year ago - I find difficulty in genuflecting, so I always in all places and times substitute with the profound bow (including during the Creed).

Furthermore, inasmuch as my present local parish has inherited the whims of a former parish priest who was “with it” and did away with kneelers and narrowed the space between seats, and inasmush as I am unable to force my left-leg/knee into a kneeling position, I either sit or kneel uncomfortable with my left leg in the half bent position at almost 180 degrees with my hips.

The moral is we can only do what we should do (as per Fidelis) - and what we can do.

 

[Jayson]

Pug:

Perhaps they are like me when I am in a strange parish. I start to genuflect and then realize their tabernacle is not where I subconsciously thought it would be, so then I frantically look around, don’t see it, but by that time, my habitual genuflection is almost over. So I just in my heart say hello to Jesus, where ever he may be situated, and then sit down in the pew. (Of course, many people are used to the tabernacle being dead center in the building, so that is why it would appear directed to the altar.)

Or, they may be poorly catechized.

They are poorly catechized. They go there every week.

 

[YinYangMom]

SMHW:

Did your priest specifically say that people who enter from the left should perform both reverences? In our parish the Blessed Sacrament chapel is not visible from within the main body of the church so there is no confusion.

No. He just explained why we genuflect before the tabernacle and not the altar…and why we bow before the altar. We’re doing better as a community…

but I’ll tell ya, the other night the youth group (high schoolers) were led into the church from the left side to gather for a lecture by our priest. I sat toward the back with the youth group instructors and we commented sadly on how not a single student genuflected before the tabernacle - and how worse - they didn’t even glance in that direction when they entered the church.

I hope the instructors gave them a serious talking about that when they returned to the classroom after the lecture. We’ve got to get the younger generation on board.

 

[YinYangMom]

SHJ-BVM:

Figment,

I want to first off say that Fidelis gave you some great info…but I need to clarify/add a few things.

First off, if the *Confiteor *is recited, you should strike your breast at the words “in my thoughts and in my words in what I have done and in what I have failed to do.” This goes back to when the mass was said in Latin. The original translation was "mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa (through my own faul, through my own fault, through my most grevious fault). Anyways, the directives are to strike the breast (just once). I actually do it three times (1.In my thoughts 2.)In my words 3.)In what I have done and in what I have failed to do.

Now after the Confiteor, or if that has been omitted, then the Kyrie Eleison (Lord have Mercy, Christ have Mercy, Lord have Mercy), the priest says “May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.” It is when the priest says May Almighty God “+” (now bless yourself) have mercy on us…

Now to where I disagree with Fidelis about any other signs being recent innovations…I am a cradle catholic 40+ years and have been doing these since I was knee-high to a grasshopper…

During the consecration (when trans-substantiation takes place), the priest says "The day before He suffered He took bread in His sacred hands and looking up to heaven, to You, His almighty Father, He gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to His disciples and said
Take this all of you and eat it: this is MY body which will be given up for you." As the priest raises the Host (Sanctus bells may ring):

I strike my breast and under my breath I recite “My Lord and My God”.

Once again, the priest takes and raises the cup and says “When supper was ended, He took the cup. Again He gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to His disciples and said
*Take this all of you and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.” *As the priest raises the cup (Sanctus bells may ring):

Once again, I strike my breast and say “My Lord and My God”.

Now we are on to the Agnus Dei…
“Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us.” (I strike my breast)
“Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world have mercy on us.” (I strike my breast)
“Lamb of God you take away the sins of the world grant us peace.” (I strike my breast)

Last, but not least…at the prayer before communion…

After the priest raises the Host and says “Behold, this IS the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper.” We reply “Lord I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed.” I again strike my breast.

Hope this helps for what you may see others doing at Mass.

Oh my! Does this take me back. Yes, this is the way it was for me for many years growing up. Sadly most of that disappeared in the 70s and 80s - I never knew whether it disappeared because the Church omitted it or whether people just fell out of practice.

I, too, continue most of those practices, as do the elders of the church. Our priest even recites the “my Lord and my God” at that juncture of the Mass, so that’s when I had affirmation that it was still ok for me to be doing so.

I must admit, though, that I never taught my children to do these things - not knowing if it was supposed to be passed on or allowed to die away with our generation.

Do you know if we are indeed supposed to continue doing these things? If so, I’d really like to pass them on to my kids before they strike off on their own (they’re 15 and 17).