Reverencing the Alter and Tabernacle

[Fidelis]

YinYangMom:

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).

Yes, indeedy, we should all be doing these things. We all probably stopped doing them during the 60’s and 70’s because everyone else stopped doing them (out of ignorance, laziness, or poor catechesis). It then turned into a self-perpetuating error — our children and other young people don’t do them because they don’t see us doing them and we are, in the meantime, unsure if we should teach them because—well, no one else is doing it.

The only way to break the pattern is to step out in faith, be an example, and don’t worry about what others do. Some people may think it isn’t the MOST important thing in the world (and that may be true, when you comapare it to charity) but it is still important. You don’t have to be a trouble-maker or gadfly about it, just a faithful witness.

I’ve noticed in my parish that, for a long time only a few of us would properly bow and genuflect at the proper times, now it seems to be (slowly) more widespread throughout the pews.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Fidelis:

You don’t have to be a trouble-maker or gadfly about it, just a faithful witness.

Well, in that spirit I will add to Fidelis’ excellent post that at the words “by the power of the Holy Spirit, he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man” we **genuflect **on the Feast of the Annunciation of Our Lord and on Christmas in honor of the incarnation!

VC

 

[Pug]

YinYangMom:

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.

When a person is in procession, I don’t think they do the genuflection. I know, they were not in an official procession, but I wonder if it produces this behavior.

It reminds me of the RCIA dismissal. It seems liturgical to me, so I do not genuflect in that line of people. But is it? I’ve never asked!!! (any of you can answer, or I’ll ask someone this week)

 

[YinYangMom]

Pug:

When a person is in procession, I don’t think they do the genuflection. I know, they were not in an official procession, but I wonder if it produces this behavior.

It reminds me of the RCIA dismissal. It seems liturgical to me, so I do not genuflect in that line of people. But is it? I’ve never asked!!! (any of you can answer, or I’ll ask someone this week)

Interesting observation.

In the case of the students filing into the church, I’d say if the first 3 would have genuflected properly the rest would have followed suit, and it would have been ok because it was an empty church, there was no service about to begin or anything like that.

As for the RCIA candidates, interestingly enough, ours file right past the tabernacle because they use the left entrance to come and go…but there, I suppose you’re correct in suggesting since it’s a procession they’d be exempt…but can you imagine the message that would send to the rest of the congregation if they did genuflect on their way out of the church after the homily while the choir is singing their song??

 

[Siena]

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 alta**r. 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.

It is my understanding is that genuflection is required for entering/exiting a pew and for whenever you pass in front of the tabernacle.

 

[SHJ-BVM]

YinYangMom,

I have, on occasion noticed that I am the only one doing these reverent acts. What I find ironic, is that I am just about one of the youngest persons at Mass (I’m 44).

Not to create thread drift , so to speak, but one of my biggest pet peeves that also belongs here, is “posture” when proceeding to receive our Lord. There is only one other person besides myself who has her hands clasped prayerfully on their way to receive communion. Many/most walk/sulk/canter/shuffle their way, arms swinging/hands in pockets/tapping others to wave a greeting. PLEASE don’t get me started.

I spend most of the Mass with my hands in the ‘praying hands position’. Even when coming back from doing the readings or presenting the gifts, I do this.

Oh how I wish I could attend a TLM.

Peace and Godspeed.

Patricia

PS…I do own and wear a veil occasionally…just imagine the looks I get

 

[Pug]

YinYangMom:

In the case of the students filing into the church, I’d say if the first 3 would have genuflected properly the rest would have followed suit…

I agree about the three genuflections. I do see what you suggest about the RCIA genuflection impact! In our parish it would not matter, because we don’t do any real dismissal. We all just sneak out, so to speak. But in conjunction with a dismissal…

As a result of this converstation, I’m going to go over the genuflection thing more thoroughly next Sunday with the RCIA group. I don’t want them to get anti-trained about genuflecting as they leave.