genuflecting on one knee only before the Blessed Sacrament

MClare · **Posted:** 25 Aug 2003 17:04

Dear Father Zuhlsdorf,

In 1993 the USCC/NCCB Bishops' Committe on the Liturgy published the Order for the Solemn Exposition of the Holy Eucharist, a resource collection of rites and texts for use by those planning annual solemn exposition. In #9 of that document it states, "Genuflection in the presence of the blessed sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration, is on one knee." The footnote references the Vatican document of 1973: the Roman Ritual: Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass (HCWEOM.) In #84 of that document is the identical wording. No further explanation or comment is given.

In the preface to HCWEOM it is stated that the Latin is the editio typica and that translations are to be approved by the Holy See. Father Zuhlsdorf, do you know what #84 actually says in Latin? Did the American bishops ever get approval for the English translation we are now using?

This morning we were told at Mass that we should stop genuflecting on two knees when we come to and from Eucharistic adoration.
Any help on this issue most appreciated; has it been addressed in the past?
Thank you, MClare

gabriel · **Posted:** 26 Aug 2003 10:22

MClare - I asked this of Colin Donovan, on EWTN, some time back :arrow:

Double Genuflection. He said that one knee is the current rule, but he saw no problem with those who wish to use both knees.

DanDJ · **Posted:** 25 Jul 2005 07:22

Personally I have always found it odd that the Church felt the need to change this rule, even though what the change meant was just that the double genuflection was not required anymore. However, I trust the wisdom of thr Church on this matter. I always make a double genuflection to the blessed sacrament exposed because I'm of the opinion that those who love somebody want to go beyond what is required anyway. I find it very odd that your priest would want to stop you showing greater devotion and honour to Our Lord, shame.

shotokan · **Posted:** 25 Jul 2005 08:15

All,

Msgr. Peter J. Elliott in Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite wrote this:

Quote:

The 'double genuflection' is still required in some countries before the Blessed Sacrament exposed. Those who make it kneel briefly on both knees and incline the head reverently, hands joined as usual.

[footnote: Many people still make the double genuflection out of devotion to Our Lord in the Eucharist. Pastoral sensitivity indicates that they need not be 'corrected.' However, those in the sanctuary should obseve the policy of the episcopal conference.](emphasis added)

MClare · **Posted:** 26 Jul 2005 07:58

Well, this is quite interesting! I had forgotten I made this post in 2003...time flies. I just got an email notification to revisit the thread.
Thank you for the responses.

Still wonder about the original latin translation if there is one. The sentence about the single genuflection seems odd to me as it is only one single sentence, with no elaboration or clarification...and has its own paragraph number. All other paragraphs in the document have multiple sentences.

The Colin Donovan link indicates the single genuflection is primarily aimed at the ministers of the altar. But apparently in Rome one still sees the double genuflection.

I still get down on both knees and bow, coming and going before private adoration...sometimes when I am all alone in chapel I prostrate before the tabernacle briefly...I have seen people prostrate at Eucharistic events sponsored in the past by charismatic groups...people were told they could come up to the foot of the altar and bow, kneel or prostrate... this was carried out in a very relaxed way, without ostentation or fuss...everyone appeared very natural in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Meanwhile, the priests were at various stations in the Church hearing confessions...a sense of love and joy permeated...very powerful.

MClare

HenryE · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2005 06:34

MClare,

Quote:

This morning we were told at Mass that we should stop genuflecting on two knees when we come to and from Eucharistic adoration.

This is a case where texts and translations matter little to me. I'm with then Cardinal Ratzinger:

Quote:

The man who learns to believe learns also to kneel, and a faith or a liturgy no longer familiar with kneeling would be sick at the core. (The Spirit of the Liturgy, p. 194)

That's about how I feel about anyone who wants to discourage reverence (or traditional signs thereof) for the Most Blessed Sacrament. Bishop, priest, so-called liturgist, whatever -- makes no difference; shame on anyone who criticizes kneeling to our Lord. Shame!

Henry

Jon · **Posted:** 27 Jul 2005 09:34

Apropos to the discussion, the latest on the topic from Zenit:

Quote:

Date: 2005-07-26

Tabernacles, Adoration and Double Genuflections

And More on Masses in 2 Languages

ROME, JULY 26, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University.

Q: Is it permitted to have adoration by simply opening the door of the tabernacle, and leaving it open for an hour? I was told that this was OK, and that it was in the "book." Could you please tell me what book, and where this came from? -- P.P., Miami Springs, Florida. Q: During solemn exposition of the Blessed Sacrament I have seen so many different signs of adoration that I am confused. Is it supposed to be the single genuflection, just as you would before the closed tabernacle? Or is it the long, solemn, single genuflection, more pronounced than before the tabernacle? Or is it the double genuflection (getting on both knees)? -- M.P., Columbia, Maryland

A: Before the Second Vatican Council, opening the tabernacle door was more common as a simpler form of adoration, especially in convents and oratories. In some cases the abbess or mother superior had special permission to open the tabernacle and expose the pyx.

Sometimes, especially in convents that practiced perpetual adoration, the Blessed Sacrament was permanently exposed in a small monstrance within the tabernacle or in a large monstrance above the tabernacle which was veiled from view during Mass and other ceremonies by an ingenious swivel door. This method, which is still used in some places, allowed for exposition to be interrupted and restored on a regular basis without recourse to incense or other ceremonies.

In a present parish context, or even in religious houses, exposition by opening the tabernacle is no longer necessary, since any minister who has the faculty to open the tabernacle, either in virtue of the sacrament of orders or by special permission of the bishop, may also place the pyx on the altar or place the host in a monstrance upon the altar.

While there is no express prohibition to exposition by opening the tabernacle, the directives of the liturgical books actually in force make no mention of this option and presume that both solemn and simple exposition is upon an altar.

Only an ordained minister may give Benediction. Another approved minister simply replaces the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle without ceremony when the period of adoration has concluded.

With respect to the genuflection: Since a genuflection is, per se, an act of adoration, the general liturgical norms no longer make any distinction between the mode of adoring Christ reserved in the tabernacle or exposed upon the altar. The simple single genuflection on one knee may be used in all cases.

However, some bishops' conferences have voted to retain the use of the double genuflection for the Blessed Sacrament exposed, and it would be required in these countries. In this case, those who make the double genuflection kneel briefly on both knees and reverently incline the head with hands joined.

Needless to say, the simple genuflection should never be reduced to a sudden spasm in the right knee. The right knee should touch the place where the right foot stood while head and back remain straight. The gesture of adoration should be performed with due pause.

When I was young a wise priest taught me to recite the invocation "My Jesus, I adore you in the sacrament of your love" so as to gauge a reasonable time to remain knee to floor. One could stay longer perhaps, but it is a fairly safe rule of thumb.

Jon

Andreas · **Posted:** 28 Jul 2005 05:09

MClare:

Quote:

… it states, "Genuflection in the presence of the blessed sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration, is on one knee."The footnote references the Vatican document of 1973: the Roman Ritual: Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass (HCWEOM.) In #84 of that document is the identical wording.

The small paperback booklet titled "De Sacra Communione et de Cultu Mysterii Eucharistici Extra Missam" is a 1973 instruction on "Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside Mass". An enclosed decree from the Sacra Congregatio pro Cultu Divino (Prot. n. 900/73) explains that this booklet will be the typical edition dealing with certain practical matters. It is signed by Arturus Card. Tabera, Praefectus and by A. Bugnini, Archiep. tit. Diocletianensis a Secretis.

The small opus is divided into a number of sections, not too many to enumerate:

Holy Communion outside Mass (with specifics on how, by whom, where, and when this can take place).

On communion taken to the ill and to the dying.

On various forms of worship of the Most Holy Eucharist (This section includes norms having to do with Exposition and Benediction, with Eucharistic processions, and with Eucharistic Congresses.)

The final section includes various texts (reading, prayers, penitential acts, hymns, antiphons, responsorials, etc.

No. 84 (which you mentioned) falls under the section having to do with the Exposition of the Most Holy Eucharist (De Sanctissimae Eucharistiae Expositione). It simply states, what you listed above: "Genuflection in the presence of the blessed sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration, is on one knee." (Coram sanctissimo Sacramento, sive in tabernaculo asservato sive publicae adorationi exposito, unico genu flectitur.)

Little further, there is some red ink titled: "Ordo Expositionis et Benedictionis Eucharistiae" - the rite of Exposition, where under De benedictione (On benediction) is says that "sacerdos vel diaconus ad altare accedit, genuflexionem peragit et genua flectit …" (the priest or the deacon approaches the altar, makes a genuflection and kneels with both knees bent (genua flectit).

Here is my uneducated conclusion: Genuflectiion is different from kneeling. Every time one passes by the eucharistic species, whether it be entering or leaving or walking by, one is supposed to genuflect (on one knee). But kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament (when not passing by) is to be done on both knees. That is why genuflection and kneeling is mentioned together in one sentence as two separate actions (genuflexionem peragit et genua flectit (he genuflects and bends the knees - 'genua' - plural). This is confirmed also by the statement of : "whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration (genuflection is made on one knee)." The decision is mine: I can move on or stay, even if only for a few seconds, in which case I kneel (genua flecto) bending my knees.

Andreas

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