When to bow receiving Communion?

[Seatuck]

If you can’t receive communion, I was told by a priest that you should still go up for a blessing. You cross both arms with both hands on each shoulder. This also avoids the problem of people trying to pass you while you are praying, or try to get by you while you are sitting. After your blessing you can return and pray. Seems like the best logistics to me.

I was taught after receiving communion to bow to the alter. One priest said you didn’t need to cross yourself after receiving communion, so I don’t.

Sometimes I think we, as Catholics, pay too much attention to the right procedure and not enough to the spirit of which we are doing them in.

Blessings in the communion line are not the accepted practice everywhere. The church has not approved the practice and there are no instructions for it in the GIRM.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

Very helpful… Also, there is no reason to believe that just because we are bowing and someone happens to be directly in front of us, that we are bowing to that person.

For instance, when we kneel in the pews, we are not kneeling out of consideration for the person in the pew in front of us. Our intention is for our reverence to be directed towards Christ in the Sacrament.

Very good analogy and one that makes perfect sense. Our priests have told us explicitly to bow as the person before us is receiving Communion. Works out good…

:heart:Blyss

 

[Magnum_V8]

I stand in front of the priest, he holds the Precious Sacrament up, says “the Body of Christ”, and then I bow and say “Amen” at the same time.

I’ve noticed that a few people on here, among other places, said something about “holding up the line.”

What’s the rush? Why should it be a choreographed procession? I don’t think the few extra seconds needed to bow directly in front of the Real and Substantial Presence of our Lord should be considered a hindrance.

This could all be easily solved by going back to receiving the Eucharist at an altar rail.

 

[Lynn-D]

I was taught after receiving communion to bow to the alter. One priest said you didn’t need to cross yourself after receiving communion, so I don’t.

I guess I am from the old school where the nuns taught us to bow before receiving the body of Christ and then make the sign of the cross as we step back. I have done that all my life.

Lynn-D

 

[fcbv]

You bow (only with the head) immediately before receiving the Communion.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

In our diocese, we are taught to bow when the person in front of us is receiving. This is for two reasons: 1) we don’t unduly hold up the line and 2) we do not accidentally knock the precious body or precious blood to the floor

This question was addressed by zenit:

Bowing to the back of the person in front of you is NOT the same as bowing to the Blessed Sacrament. Second how could you possibly accidentally knock the precious body or precious blood to the floor by a simple bow of the head?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Wow, thank you very much Kell-O !



Very helpful… Also, there is no reason to believe that just because we are bowing and someone happens to be directly in front of us, that we are bowing to that person.

For instance, when we kneel in the pews, we are not kneeling out of consideration for the person in the pew in front of us. Our intention is for our reverence to be directed towards Christ in the Sacrament.

But does it make sense to go through the motions of shaking the hand of someone, while the person in front of you is talking to them? No, you generally wait until you are directly in front of the person you are congratulating.

 

[agapewolf]

But does it make sense to go through the motions of shaking the hand of someone, while the person in front of you is talking to them? No, you generally wait until you are directly in front of the person you are congratulating.

But then when we enter church, must we go up to the tabernacle in the sanctuary to genuflect before going to the pew? Of course not. SHould we not genuflect if there is someone a few rows ahead of us entering the pew ? of course not.

Its merely one’s own sign of reverence. Proximity, and if there is a person in front, does not negate the sign, nor make it any less relevant. Jesus walked through walls after rising, A person in front of us doesn’t “block” the bow, or hide it from Christ.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

But then when we enter church, must we go up to the tabernacle in the sanctuary to genuflect before going to the pew? Of course not. SHould we not genuflect if there is someone a few rows ahead of us entering the pew ? of course not.

Its merely one’s own sign of reverence. Proximity, and if there is a person in front, does not negate the sign, nor make it any less relevant. Jesus walked through walls after rising, A person in front of us doesn’t “block” the bow, or hide it from Christ.

So just consider the genuflection made before entering your pew as counting for Holy communion also. Then you don’t have to even slightly hold up the “express lane” for Holy Communion.

 

[agapewolf]

So just consider the genuflection made before entering your pew as counting for Holy communion also. Then you don’t have to even slightly hold up the “express lane” for Holy Communion.

That wasn’t my point at all. You said:

**Bowing to the back of the person in front of you is NOT the same as bowing to the Blessed Sacrament. **

I was merely rebutting that point. I wasn’t trying to “expedite” the line, and our church says to bow before receiving the Eucharist. I was just rebutting the point you made. No need to be sarcastic.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

So just consider the genuflection made before entering your pew as counting for Holy communion also. Then you don’t have to even slightly hold up the “express lane” for Holy Communion.

Somehow, I don’t think this is called for. When we are given explict instructions by ***both of our parish priests ***as to when to bow…what would you suggest?

:heart:Blyss

 

[DaveBj]

Wow, we have it nice in our parish. There’s a double line, and I can bow when I reach the head of my line, while the person at the head of the line beside me is actually receiving.

 

[SMHW]

At my parish we were directed to make a bow while the person in front is receiving.

When people are the first in line then they usually bow while while the EMs and EMCHs are moving into their positions.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

That wasn’t my point at all. You said:

**Bowing to the back of the person in front of you is NOT the same as bowing to the Blessed Sacrament. **

I was merely rebutting that point. I wasn’t trying to “expedite” the line, and our church says to bow before receiving the Eucharist. I was just rebutting the point you made. No need to be sarcastic.

The Church says that you should bow before you recive Holy Communion, not while the person in front of you is receiving. That is how I read it.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Somehow, I don’t think this is called for. When we are given explict instructions by ***both of our parish priests ***as to when to bow…what would you suggest?

:heart:Blyss

Follow the printed norms issued by the Bishop(s). I would nicely explain to the priests that they are mistaken about what the Norms are.

 

[Reformed_Rob]

The Church says that you should bow before you recive Holy Communion, not while the person in front of you is receiving. That is how I read it.

Br. Rich,

I’m not going to get upset for your reading and preferential practice. I hope nobody else does.

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut on the matter. I realize this is not something we all agree on. But we do agree we should bow at some point in time within a few seconds prior to (before) receiving the Communion.

In karate, we were instructed to bow 30 degrees. Best I remember, the Japanese word is “Ra” pronounced “Ray.”

Let’s not get off on how far to bow one’s head!!

 

[maryj]

Br. Rich,

I’m not going to get upset for your reading and preferential practice. I hope nobody else does.

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut on the matter. I realize this is not something we all agree on. But we do agree we should bow at some point in time within a few seconds prior to (before) receiving the Communion.

In karate, we were instructed to bow 30 degrees. Best I remember, the Japanese word is “Ra” pronounced “Ray.”

Let’s not get off on how far to bow one’s head!!

At my parish 90 percent make a profound bow (bowing at the waist)

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

At my parish 90 percent make a profound bow (bowing at the waist)

Which is not necessary and is specifically not called for. But maybe they have a need to call attention to themselves for some reason.

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

Which is not necessary and is specifically not called for. But maybe they have a need to call attention to themselves for some reason.

I guess I don’t understand your need for such sarcasm in this thread. I see people in the Communion line who profoundly bow and I would just bet not nearly a one has themselves on their mind. They are showing respect for the Lord in the Eucharist.

I have always liked your measured and intelliugent well though out responses Br. Rich…but I am a little taken aback by those you have made on this thread.

With all due respect…

:heart:Blyss

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I guess I don’t understand your need for such sarcasm in this thread. I see people in the Communion line who profoundly bow and I would just bet not nearly a one has themselves on their mind. They are showing respect for the Lord in the Eucharist.

I have always liked your measured and intelliugent well though out responses Br. Rich…but I am a little taken aback by those you have made on this thread.

With all due respect…

:heart:Blyss

You are correct in this thread I have responded with more personal frustration then I have in the past with other topics. I don’t know how to answer the GROWING problem of liturgical abuse. The attitude that rules are fine but they don’t apply to me. I can give a whole laundry list of responses I have received when telling people we are required to do this or are prohibited from doing this. Most who do not have some sort of self-centered response to justify their actions, simply just go on and do what they want anyway! God deserves our highest attention and respect, nothing is to be placed above or even beside worship of Him. To be face to face with Christ requires that I be on my face before Him, but the Communion line is not the place.