Signs of Reverence to Christ and to the Eucharist

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adoration, is on one knee” [Holy SIGNS OF REVERENCE Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass, no. 84]. TO CHRIST AND TO THE EUCHARIST 3. Each person also genuflects when passing before the Blessed Sacrament. by Eliot Kapitan The exception is when ministers are walking in procession [Ceremonial of With the gradual reception of the Bishops, no. 71] and in the midst of new Roman Missal, great attention has Liturgy. been given to posture and gesture during the Communion Rite of Mass. 4. A genuflection is made to the holy cross from the veneration during the liturgy The Bishops of the United States of Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion have determined the following norms: until the beginning of the Easter Vigil Communion is received standing; each [Ceremonial of Bishops, no. 69; Roman communicant bows his or her head to the Missal; and On Preparing and Sacrament before the ritual dialogue and Celebrating the Paschal Feasts, nos. 71 reception under both kinds, both Body and and 74]. Blood [see General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 160]. 5. A deep bow of the body is made to the altar. This is done by all the ministers All of this raises the questions: in procession except those carrying When do we bow? When do we genuflect? articles used in celebration [Ceremonial What do bowing and genuflecting mean? of Bishops, no. 70; General Instruction of the Roman Missal 2002, no. 122]. The HOW THE CHURCH PRAYS faithful may also do this before taking a place in the church. The Church’s ritual books are clear about when the faithful genuflect and bow 6. During the Creed, a deep bow of the before and during Liturgy. Here are the body is made while professing the key times for reverence to Christ and to words of incarnation. the Eucharist.

7. During the celebration, all who enter the 1. Upon entering the church, each person sanctuary, leave it, or pass before the goes to the place where the Blessed altar, make a deep bow of the body to Sacrament is reserved and either stays the altar [Ceremonial of Bishops, no. 72]. for a visit or at least genuflects [Ceremonial of Bishops, no. 71]. 8. During Mass, the Priest celebrant alone genuflects twice at the words of 2. Although the practice during exposition institution during the Eucharistic Prayer. and benediction prior to Vatican Council The concelebrants and all who are II was to touch both knees to the standing make a deep bow of the body ground and bow the head when [General Instruction of the Roman Missal entering or leaving the place of 2002, no. 43]. exposition, that is no longer the norm. “Genuflection in the presence of the 9. Just before the showing of the host and blessed sacrament, whether reserved in chalice, the Priest celebrant genuflects the tabernacle or exposed for public and then invites the faithful to Communion [Roman Missal].

Now, neither a deep bow of the RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY body nor a genuflection are made by members of the faithful who come in A genuflection (from the Latin, procession for Communion. genu, the knee, and flectare, to bend) is to adore Christ. It is reserved for the Blessed WHAT THE CHURCH BELIEVES BY PRAYING Sacrament throughout the whole year and for the holy cross during the Paschal Both the genuflection and the deep Triduum. It is made from a standing bow of the body to Christ and to things of position with only the right knee bending Christ are ways to acknowledge his to the ground. marvelous presence among us. A deep bow of the body shows His passion-death-rising is the means honor toward a person or toward an object of our salvation. We remember this that represents a person. This is the bow Paschal Mystery of Christ every time we made to the altar, “a sign of Christ…a table celebrate Mass and take part in of joy…a place of communion and Communion. We honor Christ and the peace…a source of unity and Eucharist every time we genuflect to the friendship…the center of our praise and Blessed Sacrament or bow the body to the thanksgiving…” [Dedication of an Altar, IV altar of sacrifice and table of Communion. no. 48]. It may be made in this way. Place your hands on your thighs and let them Although Baptism is the entrance slide down your legs as you bow at the into the sacramental life, Eucharist is at the waist. Once they reach the knees, the bow very heart. Eucharist is the weekly, even is deep enough. daily, celebration of Christ-with-us. There is even a special way to describe it: real Learn by heart Psalm 95. It is the presence. invitatory psalm used at the beginning of each day by those who pray The Liturgy of WHAT THE CHURCH LEARNS BY BELIEVING the Hours. If not the whole psalm, memorize at least verses 6-7. Practicing these signs of reverence – genuflecting and a deep bowing of the Come, then, let us bow down and body – help us do them well. Doing these worship, signs of reverence well, help us notice and bending the knee before the Lord, our attend to Christ who is always present. maker. Reverently doing these signs, help us be For he is our God and we are his reverent. people, the flock he shepherds. We give honor and worship to Christ, the one from whom we take our name. We give honor and worship to Christ who is the beginning and the end. We give honor and worship to Jesus Christ yesterday and today and for ever. Amen.

______Eliot Kapitan is the director for the Office for Worship and Art, Steve Erspamer. © 1992, Archdiocese of Chicago. All the Catechumenate in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.