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Author Topic: Communion and genuflecting  (Read 981 times)

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Offline OABrownson1876

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Re: Communion and genuflecting
« Reply #15 on: March 25, 2026, 10:07:27 PM »
We had one family who would genuflect at the communion rail after receiving Holy Communion.  I was told that the father said that it was a German tradition, hence that it why they were doing it.  When I went to mass in southern Germany, I did not see it done. 

The sign of the cross should not be done, mainly because some moron might knock the paten out of the server's hand.  I have served Mass thousands of times and have seen this almost happen several times. 
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Offline moneil

Re: Communion and genuflecting
« Reply #16 on: March 26, 2026, 10:26:17 AM »

Quote
Also, I was taught the tabernacle veil alone that signifies the presence of the Blessed Sacraments. Lamps can run out and it is not custom in every altar to have a Sanctuary candle.


From the book Matters Liturgical, The Collectio Rerum Liturgicarum of Father Joseph Wuest, C.SS.R., first edition in Latin published in 1890.  First English translation by Father Thomas W. Mullaney, C.SS.R. published in 1925.  Eighth edition expanded by Father William T. Barry, C.SS.R., S.S.L. published in 1955.


Quote
Second Part: Sacred Things
150. The Sanctuary Lamp
One lamp at least must burn continually night and day before a tabernacle in which the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.
150 c) The sanctuary lamp must be placed within the sanctuary and in front of the tabernacle; ...
150 h)  Where for a grave reason ... the Blessed Sacrament is removed from its altar during the night (for security) ... the lamp cannot be dispensed with.

The above referenced book also says that a tabernacle veil is obligatory, but that the local ordinary may grant a dispensation.  It says in 148 f) The veil should completely envelop the tabernacle from the top down.  A curtain hanging in front of the door is not sufficient, but this is perhaps better than no veil ...  I'm wondering about many old churches where the tabernacle is built into the "backdrop" (for lack of a better word) of the altar and only a curtain is possible.  I'm assuming the requirement for a veil was changed with the simplifications of the late 1950's - early 1960's.  I can think of at least three parish churches built in the early 1960's that had free standing tabernacles on the altar but they were not veiled.  Interestingly, my current parish's church was built in 1963 with a free standing on the altar bronze tabernacle and no veil.  A pastor in the 2000's had veils made in the various liturgical colors and our tabernacle has been veiled ever since. 
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Offline Comrade

Re: Communion and genuflecting
« Reply #17 on: March 26, 2026, 03:00:40 PM »
Quote from: moneil on March 26, 2026, 10:26:17 AM

From the book Matters Liturgical, The Collectio Rerum Liturgicarum of Father Joseph Wuest, C.SS.R., first edition in Latin published in 1890.  First English translation by Father Thomas W. Mullaney, C.SS.R. published in 1925.  Eighth edition expanded by Father William T. Barry, C.SS.R., S.S.L. published in 1955.


The above referenced book also says that a tabernacle veil is obligatory, but that the local ordinary may grant a dispensation.  It says in 148 f) The veil should completely envelop the tabernacle from the top down.  A curtain hanging in front of the door is not sufficient, but this is perhaps better than no veil ...  I'm wondering about many old churches where the tabernacle is built into the "backdrop" (for lack of a better word) of the altar and only a curtain is possible.  I'm assuming the requirement for a veil was changed with the simplifications of the late 1950's - early 1960's.  I can think of at least three parish churches built in the early 1960's that had free standing tabernacles on the altar but they were not veiled.  Interestingly, my current parish's church was built in 1963 with a free standing on the altar bronze tabernacle and no veil.  A pastor in the 2000's had veils made in the various liturgical colors and our tabernacle has been veiled ever since. 

Fortescue and O'Connell give no dispensation for the veil. They are the 2 primary sources for rubrics. i think they both held an office for sacred rites and ceremonies.

As far as the Sanctuary Lamp goes, even Fortescu mentions that the early church would use lamps even for no Blessed Sacrament. For practical purposes, I have seen temporary removing the Blessed Sacrament and removing the veil but not extinguishing the candle out of convenience. My point is the surest way to know it is there is to look for the veil. At least in a traditional church.



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Offline DirigeNos

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Re: Communion and genuflecting
« Reply #18 on: March 26, 2026, 07:27:08 PM »
You should mumble "amen" at the very same moment that the priest is trying to place the host on your tongue. :)
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Offline DirigeNos

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Re: Communion and genuflecting
« Reply #19 on: March 26, 2026, 08:33:50 PM »
Joking aside, what I did growing up (perhaps it is based on local customs) is: no genuflecting beforehand if it is normal communion formation at chapel Mass, walk up, kneel directly, receive with eyes closed, make the sign of the cross after the priest moves away. Don't chew the host. Dont hold it in your mouth any longer than you need to. If you must cross the center immediately after receiving, you dont need to genuflect. Our Lord is in you physically and spiritually. Similarly, the priest doesnt genuflect to the tabernacle as he distributes. He carries Our Lord with him. After 20 mins or so, the physical presence is gone (spiritual presence remains). The tabernacle closes, and you again genuflect any time you pass in front or enter the chapel (or step in or out of the sanctuary if you are sacristan or server).
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