Sign of the cross during procession

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Miles_Dei

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I don’t know if this is just at my parish, but I’ve noticed that when the priest, deacons, et al. process down the aisle during the OF most of the people in the pews make the sign of the cross when the crucifix passes by. Others genuflect. And others do nothing.

I always thought that genuflection was reserved for Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, so I would just stand and make the sign of the cross.

Recently I started going to the EF every so often, and I noticed that people there make the sign of the cross as the priest passes by, rather than to the crucifix.

Is there any significance in the distinction between the two forms of reverencing the priest or the crucifix? And is it more proper in either case to genuflect or just make the sign of the cross?
 
Miles_Dei said:
I don’t know if this is just at my parish, but I’ve noticed that when the priest, deacons, et al. process down the aisle during the OF most of the people in the pews make the sign of the cross when the crucifix passes by. Others genuflect. And others do nothing.

I always thought that genuflection was reserved for Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, so I would just stand and make the sign of the cross.

Recently I started going to the EF every so often, and I noticed that people there make the sign of the cross as the priest passes by, rather than to the crucifix.

Is there any significance in the distinction between the two forms of reverencing the priest or the crucifix? And is it more proper in either case to genuflect or just make the sign of the cross?
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Local custom.
 
I see all three done at my parish also.

I bow when the cross passes and when the celebrant passes.
 
🤷 At the only EF parish I’ve been to, people genuflect to the cross and bow to the priest.
 
Miles_Dei said:
I don’t know if this is just at my parish, but I’ve noticed that when the priest, deacons, et al. process down the aisle during the OF most of the people in the pews make the sign of the cross when the crucifix passes by. Others genuflect. And others do nothing.

I always thought that genuflection was reserved for Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, so I would just stand and make the sign of the cross.

Recently I started going to the EF every so often, and I noticed that people there make the sign of the cross as the priest passes by, rather than to the crucifix.

Is there any significance in the distinction between the two forms of reverencing the priest or the crucifix? And is it more proper in either case to genuflect or just make the sign of the cross?
Click to expand...
Modern Catholic Dictionary:

GENUFLECTION. Bending of the knee as an act of reverence. Customary when passing before the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, entering the pew for divine worship, and during certain ceremonies to the Cross. A double genuflection of both knees simultaneously was commonly made before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in a monstrance. The new directive since the Second Vatican Council specifies: “One knee is bent before the Blessed Sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration” (Eucharistiae Sacramentum, 1973, number 84). Genuflections are also made to the Pope, to a cardinal, and to a bishop in his own diocese.
 
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