Where to you face when genuflecting

[Faith_History]

When my church was remodeled a couple of years ago, the tabernacle was placed in a room (I hesitate to call it a chapel) off to the right of the sanctuary. I always thought that when one genuflected before entering the pew or when approaching the sanctuary, it was to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. So, if the Blessed Sacrament is not in the sanctuary, shouldn’t we be facing the tabernacle, in this case, the room on the side, when we genuflect? Everyone still bows or genuflects facing the sanctuary.

 

[Mike_Dye]

When my church was remodeled a couple of years ago, the tabernacle was placed in a room (I hesitate to call it a chapel) off to the right of the sanctuary. I always thought that when one genuflected before entering the pew or when approaching the sanctuary, it was to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. So, if the Blessed Sacrament is not in the sanctuary, shouldn’t we be facing the tabernacle, in this case, the room on the side, when we genuflect? Everyone still bows or genuflects facing the sanctuary.

While Respect should be shown to the altar of sacrifice…I believe that one should genuflect to our Lord and Saviour not to an item. You bring up some of the “wrongheadedness” that is, I hope, on the decline.

 

[vince2paul]

If there’ no tabernacle, usually I just bow my head instead of genuflecting, just like Good Friday where the tabernacle is empty.

 

[mercygate]

Genuflect in the direction of the Tabernacle. Bow to the altar (not as a marble table, but in reverence for the place where Christ becomes flesh).

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

When my church was remodeled a couple of years ago, the tabernacle was placed in a room (I hesitate to call it a chapel) off to the right of the sanctuary. I always thought that when one genuflected before entering the pew or when approaching the sanctuary, it was to show reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. So, if the Blessed Sacrament is not in the sanctuary, shouldn’t we be facing the tabernacle, in this case, the room on the side, when we genuflect? Everyone still bows or genuflects facing the sanctuary.

They should be bowing to the altar since the Tabernacle is not in the same liturgical space any longer. I take it that your church has lots of visitors during the day and several weddings and funerals every week which would disturb those praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament during the day. At least these were the reasons which allowed the tabernacle to be moved from the main liturgical space in the first place.

 

[msproule]

If the tabernacle is visible from the nave, I will genuflect toward it. If it is (sadly) out of sight entirely, I will bow toward the altar.

 

[angiegirl67]

Genuflect in the direction of the Tabernacle. Bow to the altar (not as a marble table, but in reverence for the place where Christ becomes flesh).

I agree completely … this is the way it is supposed to be done.