Genuflecting -- Catholic Friends Forum

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Date Posted: 03:42:28 08/04/07 Sat
Author: Joan
Author Host/IP: ip68-0-253-131.ri.ri.cox.net / 68.0.253.131
Subject: Genuflecting

Catholics genuflect (go down on one knee) before entering the pew in a Catholic Church. Everyone knows that, but do they know why we do it?

We walk in, look at the altar, genuflect and make the sign of the cross. Many people who aren't familiar with Catholic beliefs think of this as idol worship, I think.

But that's what I think. I know they don't like it, and I think that's why. Can you fill me in on this? Is that the basis of it? That we are bowing to a statue on the Altar?

We're actually genuflecting because God is present in the Eucharist in the tabernacle, which we know because the candle is lit. If the candle weren't lit, we would know that the Eucharist wasn't in the tabernacle (the little box, usually against the back wall behind the altar, usually it's gold).

Do others think we're genuflecting to the statue hanging on the cross?

Joan

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Replies:

[> Re: Genuflecting -- Neysa, 10:07:08 08/04/07 Sat [1] (user-2inik3p.dialup.mindspring.com/165.121.80.121)

In my mom's church, the Eastern Catholic Rite. They do not genuflect by going down on one knee before entering a pew. They make a low bow and the sign of the cross.

Infact, they make the sign of the cross differently than the Latin Rite Catholics. Latin Rite Catholics make the sign of the cross with right hand, open palm touching forehead, chest, left shoulder and then right shoulder.

Eastern Rite Catholics, make the sign of the cross with their right hand with the thumb, index and middle finger all touching ( represents the 3 persons of the trinity)
They make the sign of the cross, touching their forehead, chest, right shoulder, then left shoulder.

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[> [> Re: Genuflecting -- Catie, 12:32:38 08/04/07 Sat [1] (h166.243.213.151.ip.alltel.net/151.213.243.166)

I thought I recalled Peg telling me that genuflecting was done out of honor to the cross?? (no statue involved that I recall) I do recall there was somethiing said about the eucharist. Honesty, we've been friends for over 20 years and it's been so long ago she explained it that I can't remember. I recall she explained the sign of the cross, -which basically is done in rememberance of the trinity. Right? Or am I wrong about that? My old brain hasn't been charged lately. :)

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[> Re: Genuflecting -- Lynn, 13:08:22 08/04/07 Sat [1] (ip72-193-232-42.lv.lv.cox.net/72.193.232.42)

One of the Ten Commandments states : Thou shalt not bow down to idols and act worship upon them. The Catholic church has many idols and people do act worship upon them. Our church does not have any of that, no crosses, no statues. We are allowed to have them to look at as part of art, but we do not bow to them or do an act of worship to them.

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