Genuflect at church event

Chuck1 · #1 Aug 30, '12, 4:26 am

So say your going to Church for a christingle or caroling or somthing not mass related a church event but still in the worship space , do you still have to genuflect or bow your head at the altar or if people are not doing it ?
Thanks chuck

The Idiot · #2 Aug 30, '12, 4:49 am

If the Blessed Sacrament is still present in the Church [ hint look for the red light

] then yes

thistle · #3 Aug 30, '12, 4:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck1

So say your going to Church for a christingle or caroling or somthing not mass related a church event but still in the worship space , do you still have to genuflect or bow your head at the altar or if people are not doing it ?
Thanks chuck

I'm curious. What is a christingle? I've never heard of that.

Will B · #4 Aug 30, '12, 6:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Idiot

If the Blessed Sacrament is still present in the Church [ hint look for the red light

] then yes

I echo the above

Chatter163 · #5 Aug 30, '12, 6:24 am

But at a caroling service or concert, the Sacrament should be removed beforehand.

Gorgias · #6 Aug 30, '12, 6:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chatter163

But at a caroling service or concert, the Sacrament should be removed beforehand.

If it's secular, and the space is being used as if it were a concert hall. However, if there's Christmas caroling, or a concert of a program of religious music, then the Blessed Sacrament needn't be reposed elsewhere. In that case, one would genuflect.

findingChrist · #7 Aug 30, '12, 6:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Idiot

If the Blessed Sacrament is still present in the Church [ hint look for the red light

] then yes

Can you expand on what you mean by the red light? TIA!

The Idiot · #8 Aug 30, '12, 7:05 am

The lamp in the sanctuary that indicates that the Blessed Sacrament is present in the Tabernacle.

In many churches this is a red light

BusterMartin · #9 Aug 30, '12, 7:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by findingChrist

Can you expand on what you mean by the red light? TIA!

If the Blessed Sacrament is present in the tabernacle, there is a light (often a red candle) present to let the faithful know that Jesus is there. When the light is not lit, it is a sign the tabernacle is empty and there is no need to genuflect. I have seen some Churches use colors other than red (most often white), but there should always be a light or flame present if Jesus resides in the tabernacle.

findingChrist · #10 Aug 30, '12, 7:16 am

Thank you so much. In all my life I hadn't been aware of this. It's unfortunate how much I have yet to learn. But I appreciate each time I learn something new. I'll be sure to look for the light.

**Joe 5859** · #11 Aug 30, '12, 7:16 am

We genuflect towards the tabernacle because Jesus is in there!

And we separately bow to the altar (if the altar and tabernacle are in separate places) because that is where the bread and wine are transubstantiated into Jesus in the Mass.

These acts of reverence are dependent on what the Blessed Sacrament and the altar are, not on why you're at Church. The only reason not to bow or genuflect is if you're part of some procession during the liturgy (i.e. you don't genuflect toward the tabernacle or bow to the altar when you're processing up to receive Communion).

A lot of people may not do that when they're at Church for other reasons. Do it anyway. It calls attention to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Maybe others will follow your good example.

**Joe 5859** · #12 Aug 30, '12, 7:18 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by findingChrist

Thank you so much. In all my life I hadn't been aware of this. It's unfortunate how much I have yet to learn. But I appreciate each time I learn something new. I'll be sure to look for the light.

Depending on the layout of the Church, it can be more or less difficult to find the sanctuary lamp. Some Churches have them suspended from the ceiling. Sometimes the architecture results in the sanctuary lamp being a fair distance away from the tabernacle. So just keep looking.

LynJohn1023 · #13 Aug 30, '12, 7:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by findingChrist

Thank you so much. In all my life I hadn't been aware of this. It's unfortunate how much I have yet to learn. But I appreciate each time I learn something new. I'll be sure to look for the light.

And yet fortunate that you chose to seek the knowledge!

TheRealJuliane · #14 Aug 30, '12, 7:33 am

Yes, I would bow to the altar even if others did not. And if Jesus is present in the tabernacle, then I would genuflect instead. There might be non-Catholics present at these events and we need to show our usual reverence for Jesus.

thistle · #15 Aug 31, '12, 1:29 am

Is anyone going to tell me what a Christingle is?