Which of these do I do....?

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CatholicSooner

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Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I want to set a good example for my children and know why I’m doing what I’m doing.

So in my home parish (and another parish where I attend daily mass) the tabernacle is directly behind the altar. the holy water font is right where you enter in the back of the church. After blessing my self I usually cross infront of the tabernacle/altar but in the back of the church.

So, when entering, I should:
–bless myself with holy water
–genuflect when crossing the tabernacle/altar
–genuflect when entering my pew
–genuflect when leaving my pew
—genuflect when crossing the tabernacle/altar again when exiting
 
Correct.

The general rule for genuflection is:

When moving laterally in the Church in reference to the tabernacle, genuflect when you cross the center point at which the tabernacle is centered.

When moving towards or away from the tabernacle, genuflect when you reach the nearest point. So if you are moving towards, genuflect when you arrive at your destination, and if you are moving away, genuflect at the beginning of your movement.
 
dshix said:
Correct.

The general rule for genuflection is:

When moving laterally in the Church in reference to the tabernacle, genuflect when you cross the center point at which the tabernacle is centered.

When moving towards or away from the tabernacle, genuflect when you reach the nearest point. So if you are moving towards, genuflect when you arrive at your destination, and if you are moving away, genuflect at the beginning of your movement.
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👍
 
dshix said:
Correct.

The general rule for genuflection is:

When moving laterally in the Church in reference to the tabernacle, genuflect when you cross the center point at which the tabernacle is centered.

When moving towards or away from the tabernacle, genuflect when you reach the nearest point. So if you are moving towards, genuflect when you arrive at your destination, and if you are moving away, genuflect at the beginning of your movement.
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Thanks…that is a very good explanation

So let’s say one of my three kids has to go to the rest room during mass…I would bow to the altar instead of genuflecting in all the instances above?
 
CatholicSooner said:
Thanks…that is a very good explanation

So let’s say one of my three kids has to go to the rest room during mass…I would bow to the altar instead of genuflecting in all the instances above?
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Well, if the tabernacle is behind the altar, and the Eucharist is present, no, you would genuflect.

I suppose I don’t know where the restroom is located in your church…
 
dshix said:
Correct.

The general rule for genuflection is:

When moving laterally in the Church in reference to the tabernacle, genuflect when you cross the center point at which the tabernacle is centered.

When moving towards or away from the tabernacle, genuflect when you reach the nearest point. So if you are moving towards, genuflect when you arrive at your destination, and if you are moving away, genuflect at the beginning of your movement.
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Only when the red light is on?
 
jimkhong said:
Only when the red light is on?
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Our tabernacle light has an amber globe.

That’s why our parishioners don’t do a full genuflection—the right knee only comes close to the floor without actually going all the way down.

At least that’s how the previous pastor explained it to me.
 
FrDavid96 said:
Our tabernacle light has an amber globe.

That’s why our parishioners don’t do a full genuflection—the right knee only comes close to the floor without actually going all the way down.

At least that’s how the previous pastor explained it to me.
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Ha ha! 😃
 
FrDavid96 said:
Our tabernacle light has an amber globe.

That’s why our parishioners don’t do a full genuflection—the right knee only comes close to the floor without actually going all the way down.

At least that’s how the previous pastor explained it to me.
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That’s interesting. Does that mean the knee touches the floor only if it is a red light? So, why the different light?

Btw, in the Asian tradition, it is probably more common in our churches to bow though many do genuflect.
 
dshix said:
Well, if the tabernacle is behind the altar, and the Eucharist is present, no, you would genuflect.

I suppose I don’t know where the restroom is located in your church…
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I guess I was thinking that during mass you only bow to the altar…but maybe that is only for the clergy?
 
buc_fan33 said:
No. You’re correct. During Mass, it’s a bow to the altar. No genuflection.
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I would offer a different perspective.

When we’re discussing someone in the congregation who has a need to leave the building during the Mass, I would say that “the law is silent” on this topic.

I don’t think the rubrics about bowing rather than genuflecting would actually apply to that particular issue.

My response would be that since there is no liturgical law (or norm, or whatever else) that a person should either (a) follow local custom or (b) do whatever the person, or perhaps the pastor, feels appropriate. Either way, I don’t see how there would be any obligation to either do or not-do anything in particular.

Thoughts?
 
FrDavid96 said:
I would offer a different perspective.

When we’re discussing someone in the congregation who has a need to leave the building during the Mass, I would say that “the law is silent” on this topic.

I don’t think the rubrics about bowing rather than genuflecting would actually apply to that particular issue.

My response would be that since there is no liturgical law (or norm, or whatever else) that a person should either (a) follow local custom or (b) do whatever the person, or perhaps the pastor, feels appropriate. Either way, I don’t see how there would be any obligation to either do or not-do anything in particular.

Thoughts?
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I think that’s a fair take. I would look at it this way however, and were a parishioner to ask, this is what I would tell them.

First, don’t sweat the small stuff! In the grand scheme of things, this is relatively minor. But if the person persisted and sincerely wanted to know out of a pious desire to worship with the mind of the Church, I would say that during the Mass, the focus shifts from the tabernacle to the altar of sacrifice. Assuming the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, the priest genuflects seven times in the course of the liturgy (counting the entrance procession and recessional): the entrance procession, after elevating the host, after elevating the chalice, after praying the preparatory prayers (Lord Jesus Christ, by the will of the Father, and the work of the Holy Spirit…or…May the receiving of your Body and Blood, Lord Jesus Christ…), at the tabernacle if needed to retrieve an extra ciborium for the distribution of Holy Communion, after closing the tabernacle doors when reposing what is left of the Blessed Sacrament, and at the recessional.

Besides these times, the bow is to the altar. Personally, when I proclaim the Gospel, I always go behind the altar and bow to the altar as a subtle catechetical moment that the bow is to the altar during Mass, rather than to the tabernacle. (If I go in front of the altar, I’m effectively bowing to BOTH the tabernacle and altar. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but the catechetical element for the faithful is lost.) I don’t say anything, but hopefully, the people are observant and pick up these subtle elements.

Anyway, I would say that even though there is no explicit instruction for the laity as far as I am aware, they would be best served modeling the actions of the ministers in the sanctuary. But again, in the grand scheme of things, it’s a relatively minor issue and I wouldn’t think to correct anyone for doing either.
 
buc_fan33 said:
I think that’s a fair take. I would look at it this way however, and were a parishioner to ask, this is what I would tell them.

First, don’t sweat the small stuff! In the grand scheme of things, this is relatively minor. But if the person persisted and sincerely wanted to know out of a pious desire to worship with the mind of the Church, I would say that during the Mass, the focus shifts from the tabernacle to the altar of sacrifice. Assuming the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, the priest genuflects seven times in the course of the liturgy (counting the entrance procession and recessional): the entrance procession, after elevating the host, after elevating the chalice, after praying the preparatory prayers (Lord Jesus Christ, by the will of the Father, and the work of the Holy Spirit…or…May the receiving of your Body and Blood, Lord Jesus Christ…), at the tabernacle if needed to retrieve an extra ciborium for the distribution of Holy Communion, after closing the tabernacle doors when reposing what is left of the Blessed Sacrament, and at the recessional.

Besides these times, the bow is to the altar. Personally, when I proclaim the Gospel, I always go behind the altar and bow to the altar as a subtle catechetical moment that the bow is to the altar during Mass, rather than to the tabernacle. (If I go in front of the altar, I’m effectively bowing to BOTH the tabernacle and altar. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but the catechetical element for the faithful is lost.) I don’t say anything, but hopefully, the people are observant and pick up these subtle elements.

Anyway, I would say that even though there is no explicit instruction for the laity as far as I am aware, they would be best served modeling the actions of the ministers in the sanctuary. But again, in the grand scheme of things, it’s a relatively minor issue and I wouldn’t think to correct anyone for doing either.
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Here’s the distinction, though.

In most of those moments that you describe above are you actually leaving or exiting the Mass.

The times when one is actually arriving and exiting are likewise the times when the GIRM does call for a genuflection towards the tabernacle.

I am not (certainly not) saying that this is the method which should be imposed on anyone. I’m just saying that it does make a certain sense to do it this way—genuflect when leaving or returning.

Yes, I do think it’s a minor issue. But that’s exactly why my suggestion is to follow either local custom or the direction of the pastor.

If one of my parishioners were to plan a visit to your parish and ask “what do I do if I need to leave Mass to take Junior to the restroom?” I would say “do what the local pastor suggests.” (I can say that only because you’ve posted your thoughts).

At my own parish, I don’t say anything. I’ve never addressed the issue. I’ve never felt any need to address it.

If a visitor from your parish came to mine and did ask? That is a big hypothetical, of course. I would probably just say “do whatever you do at home” and not give it another thought.
 
Thank you all for the responses.

I agree that is isn’t a big issue and is a relatively small issue. A couple of my children are at the age when they are watching everything I do…if I genuflect, they genuflect, if I bow, they bow…so I wanted to start forming the habit (yet still make sure they remember why we do it) early
 
FrDavid96 said:
Here’s the distinction, though.

In most of those moments that you describe above are you actually leaving or exiting the Mass.
.
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Typo.

That should have read “most of those moments, one is NOT arriving or leaving the Mass.”

It makes a big difference, I know. :o

Anyway, headed South for a few days. Won’t be back for a while.
 
FrDavid96 said:
Here’s the distinction, though.

In most of those moments that you describe above are you actually leaving or exiting the Mass.

The times when one is actually arriving and exiting are likewise the times when the GIRM does call for a genuflection towards the tabernacle.

I am not (certainly not) saying that this is the method which should be imposed on anyone. I’m just saying that it does make a certain sense to do it this way—genuflect when leaving or returning.

Yes, I do think it’s a minor issue. But that’s exactly why my suggestion is to follow either local custom or the direction of the pastor.

If one of my parishioners were to plan a visit to your parish and ask “what do I do if I need to leave Mass to take Junior to the restroom?” I would say “do what the local pastor suggests.” (I can say that only because you’ve posted your thoughts).

At my own parish, I don’t say anything. I’ve never addressed the issue. I’ve never felt any need to address it.

If a visitor from your parish came to mine and did ask? That is a big hypothetical, of course. I would probably just say “do whatever you do at home” and not give it another thought.
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Yeah, I would agree. It’s certainly not something I’ve ever addressed, or had anyone ask about. It’s not something I’d lose any sleep over one way or the other. In terms of things to deal with at my parish, this wouldn’t crack the top 1,000!

BTW…to the OP…Boomer Sooner! Baker Mayfield has a chance to win the Heisman this year, and y’all have a shot at a national title, in football anyway.
 
buc_fan33 said:
BTW…to the OP…Boomer Sooner! Baker Mayfield has a chance to win the Heisman this year, and y’all have a shot at a national title, in football anyway.
Click to expand...
👍

Just need to keep the players out of the bars…
We should have a really solid team if the receivers step up.
 
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