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mimmyof5
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| Posted: Jan 27 2009 at 3:14pm | IP Logged
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Is it inappropriate/wrong to genuflect before you enter the pew when the tabernacle is directly behind the altar but not visible?
I've looked for something writing but have come up empty.
Janet
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 27 2009 at 3:20pm | IP Logged
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my understanding is that you "bow" to the alter if the tabernacle is not present. Genuflecting is a type of bowing.. when instructing our children to genuflect we say "make your bow to Jesus".
I'm not sure you can be wrong by showing respect.
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Marcia
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| Posted: Jan 27 2009 at 4:51pm | IP Logged
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We usually genuflect towards the tabernacle where ever it is. If it's in a side room we genuflect towards that room or towards the side altar....if there's a sanctuary candle burning anywhere that can give a hint towards where the tabernacle is hidden. Isn't it interesting that Jesus hids himself in the bread and then we go and hide the tabernacle? (well not in every church, but it has been the trend with the newer building projects....)
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: Jan 27 2009 at 6:13pm | IP Logged
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I second the others' responses. Bow to the altar if you can't find the Tabernacle at all - if you know where it is, genuflect in that direction. Our parish priest has been reiterating to people lately "it's the right knee down and it TOUCHES the floor" - he's really adamant about some things :)
So basically, there should be an action before entering the pew, whether a bow to the altar or a genuflection to the Tabernacle - so if the tabernacle is behind the altar, you genuflect to it (whether you see it or not).
Does that help?
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D. Marie
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| Posted: Jan 27 2009 at 6:54pm | IP Logged
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From the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia it states:
"All genuflect (bending the right knee only) when doing reverence to the Blessed Sacrament". Therefore, genuflecting would be to the Blessed Sacrament, not the altar, unless the Blessed Sacrament is on the altar. Keeping the tabernacle on the altar would reduce the confusion IMHO.
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LucyP
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| Posted: Jan 28 2009 at 3:10am | IP Logged
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Aha! I wanted to ask this very question! We've been genulecting to the tabernacle (in a side chapel - we enter the pew from that side) and just bowing our heads to the altar. So that is okay then!
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mimmyof5
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Thank you for your responses. I was hoping to find something very black and white - like .... is right, .... is wrong.
So I take it we're 'not in error' if we genuflect towards the tabernacle although it's not visible (it is directly behind the altar). My 8 yr old twins have been told 'it is wrong' for them to genuflect by the DRE; they should only bow. Of course, they come home and tell me I'm wrong. I told them I'd get an answer. 
The last thing they've been told is they shouldn't kneel after communion (they're preparing for FHC) because the apostles reclined, and since we're apostles we should be reclining with Jesus, or sitting, since reclining isn't possible in the pews.
I feel like every time I turn around, something we do as a family is 'wrong'. My girls are getting more confused than not.
I think we'll keep genuflecting towards the tabernacle as family. I don't know if I should tell the girls to not genuflect when they're with their class from church, or if that will confuse them all the more. I'm not one to create problems...
Anyway, thank you for your answers.
Janet
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D. Marie
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Janet,
Who is teaching the FHC class? If it is the lay people, I would seriously question their answers. I have always been taught that we kneel after Communion and say a thanksgiving for receiving Christ in the Sacrament. There are serious problems with what it being taught in our churches. I am sure you can google it and see what the Vatican might say about it. That would be the right guidance. There are many bishops and priests that are not following the guidance of the Pope. Best of luck!
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juststartn
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| Posted: Jan 28 2009 at 10:31am | IP Logged
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I'm with Diane, only I'd be having a lot more of a hissy....lol.
I could get onto a rant, but I won't.
Rachel
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: Jan 28 2009 at 11:17am | IP Logged
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mimmyof5 wrote:
| The last thing they've been told is they shouldn't kneel after communion (they're preparing for FHC) because the apostles reclined, and since we're apostles we should be reclining with Jesus, or sitting, since reclining isn't possible in the pews. |
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As a DRE myself, these issues drive me insane. I once attended a parish where everyone was required to stand from the moment the priest consumes the host until he sits down after everyone else has had Communion - THEN and only THEN could persons choose to sit or kneel in personal thanksgiving - something about this being a group thanksgiving, and we are "soldiers for Christ" so should standing and "ready to go" - all these personal ideologies are just too much on some days. ETA: My son and I knelt anyway, until the day the priest flat out told me not to. Well, I did that day too, but then someone approached him to receive Communion kneeling and he created a scene with this family that caused me to take my 3 year old and walk out. During Mass. (that's another story, in addition to his opposition of reception on the tongue).
And they (these issues) are VERY confusing for the children, many of whom may grow up and leave altogether because if the Catholic Church isn't Catholic (universal), what is? (I'm NOT saying this is the situation with your family - you obviously have a strong home faith - but many children do not and their parents rely entirely on the church to teach the Faith).
Now, as a DRE, I am confronted with parents who think that what we do is automatically wrong because in so many parishes that is the case. I entirely understand their position and when a parent approaches me, I am able to pull from TRUE church documentation right there in my office to show specific things (such as the genuflecting and the bowing at the appropriate times).
I just wish that all priests and DREs and catechists would stop bringing in their "personal" opinions and teach what the Church teaches. (I'm not lumping everyone together, just making a wishful statement!).
Please DO address the situations with the DRE. You are not being pushy, you are putting the faith development of the children as more important than anyone else's agendas. If you ever want to PM me, I would more than happily look up sources for you to present (I've moved all those things to the office, so they're not here at home with me! And we have a BEAUTIFUL snow day today!).
:)
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Michaela
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| Posted: Jan 28 2009 at 11:26am | IP Logged
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You may stand, sit, or kneel after Communion. A Bishop can propose to his diocese that the faithful stand after receiving, however there is no law from Rome. It would be a recommendation.
In my parish, we've been instructed to stand, however there is a slow change happening in the past year or two among the laity, many people have decided to kneel.
Scroll to #43 in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) regarding posture after receiving.
They should, however, sit while the readings before the Gospel and the responsorial Psalm are proclaimed and for the homily and while the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory is taking place; and, as circumstances allow, they may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.
This article from Cardinal Arinze was shared by the apologists at Catholic Answers when asked this question. Cardinal Responds to Questions on Liturgy
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JodieLyn
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Yes, our Bishop addressed the standing/sitting/kneeling after communion in the bulletin at one time but did not instruct that we should be using any particular one.. I really like the fact that I can sit and everyone knows that it's ok.. It's hard enough when holding a little one and/or pregnant to kneel with a little one when we should.. and even then I don't always completely manage it having to lean back on the pew some of the time.
But most people here kneel so sitting doesn't stand out like standing up would.
It's interesting teaching our own children I must say.. dh kneels.. and I encourage the children to kneel unless they're holding a sibling.. and it's slowly trickling down.. all but the little ones still cuddling up with me will kneel even when my dh isn't there and I'm sitting 
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D. Marie
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I think what is most important in all of this is to have due reverence to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. So many have lost that reverence to the point to where over half of Catholics now do not even believe Christ is truly present in the Holy Eucharist. I personally believe body postures have alot do with reverence. This calls for prayer and prudence.
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mimmyof5
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Our DRE is a sweet lady and a devout Catholic. As she said at the last parent meeting, "I'm not in charge." All of this comes directly from our pastor. I do not have the strength, knowledge or a hard enough shell to approach him.
I'm trying very hard to not let little things bother me, but it seems there's been something new every week. I don't know if it's my pride rearing its ugly head, or if my complaints are justified. I've been having a difficult time the last few years - my mini faith crisis - and I long for stability without always being told my views are wrong, that I can't remain static and have to embrace the changing church. Ugh! It's just so hard right now. Oh, and I'm not opposed to all changes, just this attitude of looking for anything and everything to change.
Anyway, that is more than any of you ladies wanted or needed to know. My frustration speaking.
Thank you so much for all responses. We will continue to genuflect and kneel after communion, but I won't have my girls do anything contrary to what they're being told while at class. FHC class will be over in April so not much longer.
Janet
Janet
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Question about genuflecting
