Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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St. Ann
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Posted: July 23 2014 at 12:34am | IP Logged Quote St. Ann
I know. Strange topic.

...but I have been thinking about this and thought I could ask here...

I have read in many different sources that one should genuflect using the right knee down to the ground. I do this and it comes naturally - to me. 2 of my dds genuflect with their left knee automatically. When they have tried to use their right knee it is so very awkward - sort of like being left handed and trying to write with the right hand.
Does anyone know the reason for this? and is it something they should practice? Is it so important to use the right knee when you are not serving at the altar?

Anyone else have lefties?

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Martha
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Posted: July 23 2014 at 2:18am | IP Logged Quote Martha
I have 3 lefties. I don't think I have ever bothered to notice what knee anyone anywhere uses. I have never corrected them on crossing themselves with their left hand either.

I don't think for a moment it matters in 95% of our lives.

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MaryM
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Posted: July 23 2014 at 1:30pm | IP Logged Quote MaryM
I thought this was an interesting response to a similar question:

EWTN - Right Handed Gestures

Nothing binding...

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setonmom
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Posted: July 23 2014 at 2:22pm | IP Logged Quote setonmom
When I was a kid in Catholic grmmar school there was a particular knee we were supposed to use for genuflecting, though I can't remember which one.( Was it the left because it was below your heart?) I also recall hearing that there was one knee you were to use when genuflecting before the Blessed SAcrament, and the other knee you were to use when genuflecting before an earthly king.
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St. Ann
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Posted: July 23 2014 at 2:47pm | IP Logged Quote St. Ann
Thanks for all of the responses. It's funny, my girls are all right handed, but use the left knee???? I just wonder why that is.

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JennGM
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Posted: July 23 2014 at 6:54pm | IP Logged Quote JennGM
In all my reference books it is prescribed as a right knee genuflection. Dictionaries, catechisms, and other books.

In particular,

Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described; Dr. Adrian Fortescue original version is online and on page 21 gives precise instructions on how to genuflect. I couldn't cut and paste on the ipad so I'm just giving the reference.

I also have The Book of Ceremonies by Very Rev. Lawrence O'Connell (Bruce, 1956) which goes into even greater detail on the genuflection.

It is not binding, like Mary said, but I do like to teach the correct form.

Stephanie, I have one son who keeps going left for the Sign of the Cross and handshakes even though he is right handed.

Don't they say right handed, left brained and vice versa?



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