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blaskoman
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Upon entering a church I always make the sign of the cross after dipping into the Holy Water. However, what is the etikette required before seating oneself in Church?
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fear_n0_evil
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Good question. I also would like to know the proper etiquette for entering a Holy place of worship like an Eucharistic adoration Chapel.
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karoleck
Guest
In the age when I grew up this question would not have needed to be asked.My response in those times would have been "just watch what everyone does on entering the Church and do the same.Even the first thing ,as putting the fingers in the holy water font which reminds us of our Baptism .It is also a sacramental act which gives grace and is so powerful to ward off satan and the evil spirits in the world that we left ;to enter The Place of God,a Place of Worship and A Place of Silence!!Then you mentioned the sign of the cross that you make** blaskoman**.It is a real act of affirming our baptism and our commitment by this act of Faith.In The Name of The Father(creator),and of The Son(Jesus-saviour) and of The Holy Spirit(power)Amen.St.Bernadette( to whom Our Lady taught how to make a sign of the cross) always impressed everyone who saw her when she made the sign of the cross; because her hand made a large deliberate one ,as she moved her hand to her head,slowly down to her heart,then to the left shoulder and then to the right one as she said the prayer to her self.Then as a child, I was taught to enter the church with hands joined(as we see angels painted) in reverence to Jesus present in the Tabernacle,the place where The Eucharistic Heart of Jesus lovingly dwells.(though as I grew older I folded my fingers together as in prayer-perhaps as we get older ,we become less angelic!)We then genuflect slowly on one knee when we face the Tabernacle,we know that he is present, as a red lamp glows nearby.Some people if they cannot genuflect can do a profound bow,from the hip bending the head and shoulders slowly, simmilar to what the martial arts people do before they fight and try to kill each other in Charlie Chan movies!!If the Holy Eucharist is exposed for adoration which is held in a Monstrance,lighted candles on both sides ;the person if entering the Church proper genuflects of both knees,bows low slowly in an act of worship and then goes to knee at the pews .On leaving the church we genueflect in the same manner as before and then do the Holy Water ritual on leaving the Church (which is called blessing ourselves with Holy Water).I know both of you have asked this as a retorical question, but at least I can help in starting this thread going,I am sure that a lot could tell you what not to do!!-sad hey?As a professor once wrote in the title of his book–The loss of the sense of the Sacred. by Pro.Lukidis-spelling of his name maybe not be%.
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Phemie
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Yes, if the Tabernacle is visible, you genuflect toward it. If it’s not visible, you bow to the altar.
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Tsuwano
Guest
People in Japan generally do not genuflect. They bow deeply from the waist toward the tabernacle and or altar.
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OraLabora
Guest
Well in our abbey’s Adoration Chapel, I genuflect to the tabernacle while making a sign of the cross.
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Joannm
Guest
You can genuflect anywhere upon entering the Church. It is not specifically when you are entering the pew but when you pass by the tabernacle. In my church you have to pass by the tabernacle way before you get to your pew, so I genuflect when I pass it. I know some people who genuflect as soon as they enter the church. It really has nothing to do with entering the pew but entering into the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. For most people however, it is more comfortable, if coming from the back of the church, to genuflect when entering the pew because that is when they are closest to the tabernacle. Of course if the tabernacle is in a separate chapel all that is necessary is a profound bow to the altar
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joe_clark
Guest
This is a good way to look at it. I was also taught to genuflect before entering the pew. It can’t hurt to show humility, reverence and humbleness to the Lord. I’m sure he will appreciate it.
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RosalynR
Guest
In our Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, we are to kneel (both knees) before entering the pew. Most people come in, kneel, bow the head or make a more profound bow, get up, and then sit. Of course, those who are unable to kneel can bow or do some other appropriate gesture acknowledging Christ on the altar.
Most of the adorers do this, but it makes me sad when visitors come and don’t even seem to respect the Real Presence with no acknowledgement at all when entering/leaving their pew.
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
Perhaps rather than a lack of respect, it’s a lack of knowledge of the proper etiquette. They have, after all, come to Adoration so a lack of respect seems unlikely.
CCC2478: To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor’s thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way.
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lizaanne
Guest
Strolling into Church and flopping down in a seat like you are in a movie theater is not acknowledging that the Savior of the World is in the tabernacle in front of you (assuming it is located behind the altar). It is totally appropriate to genuflect before sitting down, or at least bow as much as possible if physical limitations prevent you from genuflecting.
Christ is there - acknowledge His presences before you make yourself comfortable.
~Liza
Christ is there - acknowledge His presences before you make yourself comfortable.
~Liza
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DCNBILL
Guest
My mother (age 74 at the time) was coming into the Church out of the snow and slipped as seh entered, she ended up sprawled out face down in the isle. A friend of hers entering right behind her said, “Mary, at your age a simple profound bow should suffice.”
The Peace of Christ to all,
bill
The Peace of Christ to all,
bill
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lizaanne
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paperwight
Guest
A good reminder.
It’s also as well to remember that since the 1970’s we are no longer required to go down on both knees in front of the exposed Blessed Sacrament. I’m not saying that people shouldn’t! But it may stop someone perceiving irreverence in another person who only genuflects on one knee - they are not doing anything wrong.
To me, it makes perfect sense. The Real Presence isn’t constrained or limited by being in a Tabernacle. He transcends time and space, He is the same Lord whether in the open to our view or behind a few millimeters of gold plating. So logically, having a different posture makes no sense. We should show respect in just the same way whether there is Exposition or not - it should be single knee for both or both knees for both. As it happens, the Church has said single knee for both.
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DCNBILL
Guest
It is very true, she was fine, she got up and had a good laugh about it later. I think that all the winter clothing must have padded her fall.
The Peace of Christ to all.
bill
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Cathryn
Guest
Could you tell us where this change can be found. My pastor went to seminary in Rome and served Mass many times for JPII and genuflects on both knees when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. One knee when the Blessed Sacrament is in the tabernacle. I never heard of a change in this. I would be interested in seeing something in writing about the change. At my parish we all go down on both knees when the tabernacle is opened.
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surritter
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I think the motive to requiring only one knee is to show that Jesus is equally present when the doors to the tabernacle are closed as He is when exposed on the altar.
Here are a couple of comments from another online forum where the question came up:
“However, some bishops’ conferences have voted to retain the use of the double genuflection for the Blessed Sacrament exposed, and it would be required in these countries. In this case, those who make the double genuflection kneel briefly on both knees and reverently incline the head with hands joined.”
Here are a couple of comments from another online forum where the question came up:
“In 1993 the USCC/NCCB Bishops’ Committe on the Liturgy published the Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist, a resource collection of rites and texts for use by those planning annual solemn exposition. In #9 of that document it states, ‘Genuflection in the presence of the blessed sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration, is on one knee.’ The footnote references the Vatican document of 1973: the Roman Ritual: Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass (HCWEOM). In #84 of that document is the identical wording. No further explanation or comment is given.”
"Since a genuflection is, per se, an act of adoration, the general liturgical norms no longer make any distinction between the mode of adoring Christ reserved in the tabernacle or exposed upon the altar. The simple single genuflection on one knee may be used in all cases.“However, some bishops’ conferences have voted to retain the use of the double genuflection for the Blessed Sacrament exposed, and it would be required in these countries. In this case, those who make the double genuflection kneel briefly on both knees and reverently incline the head with hands joined.”
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GwenL
Guest
A bit of charity, please, before assuming motives or lack of reverence on the part of others. Some of us weren’t born with the knowledge that Christ is in the tabernacle, or even what a tabernacle is. The church also doesn’t come with visitor instructions or a user’s manual.
The first few times at Sunday Mass, I tried to follow what other people were doing and it was very confusing. Some genuflected, some bowed, some nodded, some flopped into their seats, and some visited from pew to pew chatting happily. I went to daily mass and asked the regulars there what to do and why we do it. Sadly, it’s not something that’s taught at our RCIA.
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beckers
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I don’t genuflect until i get ready to enter the pew or exit the pew after mass. Thats how i was raised. In our church if i did it at the entrance i am afriad people would trip over me.
I also make sure i bow to the tabernacle when ever i cross the main isle.
I also make sure i bow to the tabernacle when ever i cross the main isle.
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surritter
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A good point, Gwen, and a reminder to us that are Catholic (and aware of the Real Presence) to be not only respectful of Jesus, but good examples to others.
At my kids’ Catholic school they have regular school Masses, and the parents often come to worship too. But I’ve actually seen some moms stroll in with a Starbucks cup and sit down, then proceed to chat with the other cliquish moms. Not only is the coffee WAY out of line from a respect point of view, but these folks aren’t aware of the rule of one hour fasting before the reception of Communion (and I’m pretty sure they all receive).
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