Should I genuflect when the sanctuary lamp is not lit?

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Langdell

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When the sanctuary lamp is not lit, should I still genuflect when entering and leaving the pew, or should I bow, or should I do nothing?

TIA!
 
If the lamp is not lit, presumably the Blessed Sacrament is not in the tabernacle. Therefore, you should bow to the alter. 🙂
 
We genuflect because the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. So if you know for a fact that the only reason that the lamp is not lit is because the candle burned down, but there is still the Eucharist in the tabernacle, then you should still genuflect.

Of note, when there is no Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, the tabernacle doors are left open.
 
jpjd said:
We genuflect because the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. So if you know for a fact that the only reason that the lamp is not lit is because the candle burned down, but there is still the Eucharist in the tabernacle, then you should still genuflect.

Of note, when there is no Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, the tabernacle doors are left open.
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👍
 
I always genuflect to the altar. For example…our Convent is being renovated, and the nave is under construction…but still when i walked by, genuflected to the empty altar. or if going to place a book on the ambo at my church…always genuflect to the altar, even tho we keep the blessed sacrement in the side chapel.
 
MissBorgia said:
I always genuflect to the altar. For example…our Convent is being renovated, and the nave is under construction…but still when i walked by, genuflected to the empty altar. or if going to place a book on the ambo at my church…always genuflect to the altar, even tho we keep the blessed sacrement in the side chapel.
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Why?
 
If the sanctuary lamp is out but the tabernacle closed = Kneel.
If the sanctuary lamp is out but the tabernacle opened = Bow gently to the altar.

Always honour the Lord. No matter what.
 
By the book, the sanctuary lamp is to be lit when the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle. So, by the book, when the lamp is out you might assume that the tabernacle is empty.

But…being a sacristan…I can tell you that sometimes people actually make mistakes. Imagine that. I’ve seen it happen a few times where the lamp burns down, and goes out, during the day, and nobody notices it until another official “function,” either Mass, prayer service, benediction, etc. is held in the church itself. I open our church and have found the lamp out a few times.

Unless you know that it’s most likely that the tabernacle is empty (you church is under construction, a concert is about to happen in the church, it’s Good Friday, you see the tabernacle doors open, etc.), I would assume that the lamp might be out by mistake and genuflect. You are lifting your heart to the Lord as you genuflect to Him, so He will be nothing but pleased, even if He’s not currently physically present in the tabernacle.
 
SMHW said:
Why?
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why do we keep the Blessed sacrament in the side chapel or why do i still genuflect?

I should have made myself clearer. I genuflect as a sign of respect for what takes place on the altar. and as for the side chapel, we have always kept it there. 🙂
 
Most churches use “seven day” sanctuary candles. Because of defects in the wax or air currents in the room, they sometimes burn a little fast and go out before the sacristan arrives to replace it.
 
I find it hard to stop myself genuflecting when I get up off the bus! :o
 
A few months ago the candle blew out in our Chapel. The adorer took a piece of paper and attempted to relight the candle.The paper blazed and…the fire dept. arrived in response to the alarm. It is very unlikely that she or another adorer will attempt to relight the candle in the event of another gust of wind.
If one sees a sanctury candle unlit do not assume the Tabernacle is empty.
As someone posted earlier the door may be open but as a sacrastin I would not assume anything. Genuflect~
 
A veil on a tabernacle is another sign of the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament.
 
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