The 'double genuflection'

[roveau]

This is when you begin to genuflect as normal on the right knee but instead of rising up you bring down the left knee as well so that you end up kneeling on both knees… and then you get up.

This was always the method of genuflection when the Blessed Sacrament was exposed, for example; during Adoration, in the monstrance during Benediction or as it passed by on Corpus Christi procession.

I had heard that it was discouraged (even banned) by the Church these days, though there are exceptions to the rule in some countries and areas. When in Europe last year I saw a few people do it but not many - which I think is a pity. When I was a child (in Australia) all devout Catholics did it.

What is the custom in your area?

 

[KarenElissa]

We were all taught the double genuflection when I went through RCIA here two years ago. It is most definitely still the custom in my parish. Any time I’ve gone to Adoration here, by far the majority of people do it.

 

[Corki]

Although it isn’t “called for,” it is still very much the custom in this area.

 

[JRKH]

Same here, I can’t say that I see a lot of people do it, but I can say that, if the Tabernacle is open, or during Eucharistic Adoration, I most definitely “double genuflect” (I never knew it was called that.)
It was the way I was taught and it makes perfect sense to me.

Peace
James

 

[ccolley2]

It is common practice in our part of the country. I generally see the “double genuflection” only in the adoration chapel or during the Triduum. Generally, I see more of the “single” or typical genuflection.

Good question and it is interesting to see who does what where.

Peace,

CC

 

[amgp]

Here in St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN, everybody does a double genuflection whenever the Blessed Sacrament is exposed (adoration, etc.). Although, I only go to orthodox parishes (both OF and EF) with good holy priests who lead by example.

 

[Cluny]

This is when you begin to genuflect as normal on the right knee but instead of rising up you bring down the left knee as well so that you end up kneeling on both knees… and then you get up.

You also bow your head.

It’s basically a modified prostration, as they are done in the East.

 

[pamnbam]

Whenever the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, everyone I see double genuflects. It’s still the custom/norm here.

 

[Matrix_Refugee]

I’ve never heard of the double genuflection being banned; it might have gone out of use in some areas and some overly progressive bishops/priests might have discouraged it, but I don’t think it’s been actually banned.

I myself do the double genuflection and (unless my bad knee or my weak back are bothering me) I’ve been known to bow my head to the floor Eastern Catholic style. I’ve also on occasion (Good Friday or during Eucharistic Adoration) lain flat on the floor face down at times while praying, which causes consternation among some people and I’ve had some think I tripped and fell, which lead me to come up with a trick to let people know I’m all right: I generally carry my prayerbooks in a small hand basket (really!) and as I’m about to prostrate myself, I put the basket slightly to the left of where my head would be; then as soon as I’m on the floor, I move the basket to a spot directly in front of my head. Now this might seem a bit excessive, but I do this as a form of reparation, and I get plenty of opportunities for that: I’ve gotten cold on marble floors in the winter, the carpet shampoo in one rug set off my nasal allergies, and then there was the time a toddler ran across my back!

 

[corsair]

The “double genuflection” as you call it, is most definately used here. Both knees to the floor and a deep “profound” bow from the waist. Many people use this moment to say a small prayer for making it possible to spend sometime with the Lord.

We still see the occassional person that just doesn’t “get it”. They wander in, sit down for a few minutes, and then leave. Its almost like they are not sure whats happening.

where is the catechesis?

 

[Phemie]

I’ve never heard of the double genuflection being banned; it might have gone out of use in some areas and some overly progressive bishops/priests might have discouraged it, but I don’t think it’s been actually banned.

It’s not banned, it’s just no longer required. The rubrics no longer speak of genuflection vs. double genuflection.

 

[malachi3]

Pretty much everyone double genuflects at eucharistic adoration. I’ve seen only a few who don’t.

Occasionally people coming to Sunday Mass don’t genuflect at all.

 

[AJV]

I had heard that it was discouraged (even banned) by the Church these days, t

The liturgical books after 1970 call for a single genuflection to be made in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, whether exposed or not, to underline that it is one and the same Presence of Christ, in either case.

 

[tee_eff_em]

The liturgical books after 1970 call for a single genuflection to be made in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, whether exposed or not, to underline that it is one and the same Presence of Christ, in either case.

By way of reference, see #84 of Eucharistiae Sacramentum.

But also as others have noted: I have never been nor seen anyone to be chastised for making a standard genuflection.

tee

 

[Joannm]

The liturgical books after 1970 call for a single genuflection to be made in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, whether exposed or not, to underline that it is one and the same Presence of Christ, in either case.

I never heard of that reasoning, but it makes a great deal of sense. Threre is really no inherent difference between the Presence of Christ on the Altar, in the Tabernacle, or exposed in the Monstrance. Do you have a reference somewhere for that, or a published commentary? I like to have references if I use something in case anyone wants proof of what I say. If you don’t that’s OK, I know some very learned (and somewhat prominent) liturgical theologians who I can ask. No, I won’t do any name dropping.

 

[roveau]

I never heard of that reasoning, but it makes a great deal of sense. Threre is really no inherent difference between the Presence of Christ on the Altar, in the Tabernacle, or exposed in the Monstrance. Do you have a reference somewhere for that, or a published commentary? I like to have references if I use something in case anyone wants proof of what I say. If you don’t that’s OK, I know some very learned (and somewhat prominent) liturgical theologians who I can ask. No, I won’t do any name dropping.

But there is a difference. The Host during Adoration or procession is visually exposed to view. Even at the Mass during the consecration when the Host is visually seen we are kneeling on both knees, so there is a logic to the double genuflection tradition during exposition.

 

[AJV]

But there is a difference. The Host during Adoration or procession is visually exposed to view. Even at the Mass during the consecration when the Host is visually seen we are kneeling on both knees, so there is a logic to the double genuflection tradition during exposition.

That is true but consider for example, that the priest only genuflects, not double genuflects. In fact, in the past, the former Congregation of Rites was asked whether after the Consecration, the priest, servers and other ministers should genuflect on both knees since the Host is exposed on the altar. They answered negatively.

 

[amgp]

I’m not sure what AJV is referring to. In the rubrics for the Traditional Latin Mass, it tells the priest to kneel immediately after the consecration, then to arise and perform the elevation. It does not say for him to genuflect. The servers and everybody else are already kneeling at that time, so naturally, they would not genuflect at all.

And why wouldn’t somebody want to drop to both knees when in the presence of almighty God? Why would anybody be searching for documentation and looking for reasons not to show God proper reverence?

 

[AJV]

I’m not sure what AJV is referring to. In the rubrics for the Traditional Latin Mass, it tells the priest to kneel immediately after the consecration, then to arise and perform the elevation. It does not say for him to genuflect.

It does actually. The words are “genuflexus adorat: surgit, ostendit populo…genuflexus iterum adorat”. If it were kneeling, it would read “utroque genu” or similar. Having served a Traditional Mass, I can say that this is what happens - the priest genuflects, not kneels.

The servers and everybody else are already kneeling at that time, so naturally, they would not genuflect at all.

True (ignoring certain ministers at forms of High Mass). However, the question relates to a High Mass (or a Low Mass where a similar posture custom prevails). The servers, ministers, etc. stand from the “Unde et memores”. The question related to whether they should make a double or single genuflection where crossing from one side of the altar to another.

And why wouldn’t somebody want to drop to both knees when in the presence of almighty God? Why would anybody be searching for documentation and looking for reasons not to show God proper reverence?

I quoted it to show the process of establishment of the current norm. You can appreciate how difficult it is to qualify “proper reverence”. In one tradition, it might be the profound bow, in another then double genuflection, and in another, a full prostration. In which case, we can resort to the norm established by the Church as a guideline for its ministers - which, in the liturgical books after 1970, is a genuflection, unless otherwise determined by the local conference of bishops.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

We kneel (double genuflect) in the adoration chapel and we teach the CCD students to do that when we take them to the chapel.

Our priests (young and old) also “double genuflect” when they come into the chapel. The only people I’ve ever seen not do that are those with a physical limitation.