 |
| Author | Post |
|---|
New Creation
Member
| Joined: | Thu Nov 22nd, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 41 |
| First Name: | Paula | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | wicca 9 yrs, Anglican 5 yrs, RCIA now! |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 26th, 2007 04:03 am |
|
Well my husband and I have to get up and down a lot unfortunately, as do all the other parents of toddlers and we were wondering.... do we genuflect every time we come back to the pew? Are we crossing ourselves as we kneel as well?
____________________
always a seeker
|
|
|
Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 859 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 26th, 2007 06:55 am |
|
Paula, that is the custom at our chapel. I have been amazed to see a very heavily pregnant woman genuflect, coming and going, while carrying a toddler. She was also dealing with a mantilla and a long hemline. Remarkable!
Persons bracing themselves on a pew to the right (bad knees) would usually not be making the Sign of the Cross since that hand is busy.
____________________
"If our charity is arrested by the difficulties encountered in dealing with our neighbor, . . . our relations with our brethren are not regulated by our love of God, but by our love of self." Divine Intimacy p. 781, Fr. Gabriel, O.C.D.
|
|
|
DrDave
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 6th, 2006 |
| Location: | Mildura, Australia |
| Posts: | 211 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Cradle - Lapsed - Renewed Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 26th, 2007 07:32 am |
|
The way I was always taught was to genuflect prior to entering your pew before mass and upon exiting after mass, not during. If one had to move about the church during mass (whether serving as a minister or serving the call of nature ) then if one crossed the centerline of the church (usually the central aisle) then one bowed in the direction of the altar rather than genuflect toward the tabernacle.
Regards Dave
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 26th, 2007 08:18 am |
|
New Creation wrote: Well my husband and I have to get up and down a lot unfortunately, as do all the other parents of toddlers and we were wondering.... do we genuflect every time we come back to the pew? Are we crossing ourselves as we kneel as well?
Typically, no. One genuflects upon entering and leaving the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Some will also genuflect when crossing in front of the Tabernacle. Making the sign of the cross is optional.
I have some problems with my legs, so I will genuflect before I enter the pew for the first time, and bow when I cross in front of the Blessed Sacrament the first time. I often assist at the altar, prepare the altar, help locate altar ministers, etc., so it's not unusual for me to get up and down several times or to walk across the sanctuary several times before mass. I do bow when I complete a service at the altar, for example, when I have finished lighting the altar candles, but I definitely do not genuflect or kneel unless I know there's something close by I can use to help me get up.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
LOVECC
Member
| Joined: | Fri Dec 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 32 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 30th, 2007 11:06 am |
|
One thing I have noticed is that people genuflect out of habit rather than realizing what they are to genuflect towards. It is my understanding (and, please correct me if I am wrong) that you are to genuflect towards the tabernacle where Jesus is physically present. In my church, the tabernacle unfortunately isn't in the sanctuary, it is in a Eucharistic chapel off to the side of the church. When I genuflect, I turn my body towards the chapel rather than towards the altar (probably looks weird to most folks in my church). Most people at my church still genuflect to the altar (if they genuflect at all). It makes me think they don't understand what they are doing - just one more "Catholic gymnastic" that they do out of habit. In the past, churches were originally built with the tabernacle behind the altar (which in my opinion is where it should be - I don't know why that is not the norm these days). I think people learned to genuflect towards the altar due to the placement of the tabernacle, but the meaning got lost.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 30th, 2007 03:18 pm |
|
LOVECC wrote: It is my understanding (and, please correct me if I am wrong) that you are to genuflect towards the tabernacle where Jesus is physically present.
Yes, you are correct. We are to genuflect only if the Blessed Sacrament is present. Otherwise, we bow toward the altar out of respect for the sacrifice that will be offered there. We worship God, not an altar or a crucifix. The only exception is on Good Friday when we do genuflect to the crucifix out of respect for the Savior's sacrifice.
In my church, the tabernacle unfortunately isn't in the sanctuary, it is in a Eucharistic chapel off to the side of the church. When I genuflect, I turn my body towards the chapel rather than towards the altar (probably looks weird to most folks in my church).
If the chapel is a separate room, you should not genuflect at all unless you are entering the chapel. Normally, the Blessed Sacrament is considered to be in the church if the sanctuary candle is visible within the church. If the candle is in the chapel itself, and you can't see the tabernacle, you should not genuflect in the nave, but instead make a profound bow to the altar.
In the past, churches were originally built with the tabernacle behind the altar (which in my opinion is where it should be - I don't know why that is not the norm these days).
To encourage Eucharistic adoration outside of mass. The placement in a separate chapel or in a tabernacle outside of the sanctuary allows a person to kneel or sit closer to the Blessed Sacrament, encouraging Eucharistic devotion.
The document which covers the location of the tabernacle in the United States is called Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture and Worship. From Chapter 2:
§ 74 § There is a number of possible spaces suitable for eucharistic reservation. The revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal states that it is more appropriate that the tabernacle in which the "Blessed Sacrament is reserved not be on the altar on which Mass is celebrated." The bishop is to determine where the tabernacle will be placed and to give further direction. The bishop may decide that the tabernacle be placed in the sanctuary apart from the altar of celebration or in a separate chapel suitable for adoration and for the private prayer of the faithful. In making his determination, the bishop will consider the importance of the assembly's ability to focus on the eucharistic action, the piety of the people, and the custom of the area.
The location also should allow for easy access by people in wheelchairs and by those who have other disabilities.
This is a change from the discipline before Vatican II, when the tabernacle was always placed on the Altar of Sacrifice. That, of course, led to the misunderstanding that people were genuflecting to the altar rather than to the Blessed Sacrament. If people are still genuflecting to the altar in your parish, catechesis is needed. Since the priest is probably preparing for mass as people enter, he may not even be aware of their misunderstanding. Perhaps you should call it to his attention.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
LOVECC
Member
| Joined: | Fri Dec 28th, 2007 |
| Location: | Columbus, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 32 |
| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Cradle Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 30th, 2007 04:53 pm |
|
Thanks for the response, Rick.
Your response brings me to another question. The candle is actually in the sanctuary right outside the chapel door. Since that is the case, is it correct that I genuflect towards the candle?
Thank you also for pointing out the reason for moving the tabernacle to a different location. However, one sad consequence of the change, I believe, is that piety is lost within the sanctuary. Since Jesus has been moved aside (for lack of a better word) there is nothing to "focus" on. People tend to talk alot more before the start of Mass. The sanctuary becomes a social hall rather than the house of the Lord. Although, nowadays, I don't know if moving the tabernacle back inside the sanctuary would change the behavior.
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4981 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 30th, 2007 06:14 pm |
|
LOVECC wrote: Your response brings me to another question. The candle is actually in the sanctuary right outside the chapel door. Since that is the case, is it correct that I genuflect towards the candle?
I would say that genuflecting is not necessary, but if you choose to do so, you should genuflect in the direction of the Blessed Sacrament. If you choose to bow, you should bow in the direction of the altar.
one sad consequence of the change, I believe, is that piety is lost within the sanctuary.
I agree. The bishops are in the process of revising the document on environment, and I hope the revised document will call for the tabernacle to remain within the church and not be placed in a separate chapel. There is no reason an adoration chapel cannot have a second, small tabernacle, and double as a day chapel for weekday masses. It would also be environmentally preferable to avoid having to heat, cool, and light the entire church for the smaller attendance at daily mass.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
Current time is 07:28 am | |
|
|
|
|
|
