Do you cross yourself when you genuflect?

[Old_Joe]

very True.

[franciscanheart]

I dont do it all in one fluid motion like some people do. I am not judging them just pointing out that some make it one fluid thing where they are down signed and up again in a matter of seconds. I genuflect when I enter the sactuary, always making note of where the tabernacle is before I do. Then I proceed and do much the same thing as dUSt. It has only been recently that I have done this very slowly.

I do have my reasons for it. I consider many to be able to genuflect, sign themselves and enter the pew and still be recognizing Christ present. I however must give myself time to allow the thought of Christ being there in front of me to sink in. It helps me to acknowledge Him more fully and to not let my mind concentrate on anything but Him.

I too was affected by someone doing this about five or six years ago and since then it has made me think about the way I respect the Lord when entering His house.

[Paphnutius]

[quote name='Crispy' date='Jun 14 2005, 11:15 AM']yeah, i think dUSt hit it on the head for me.  as ive grown in my faith, ive started to show it more outwardly.  sometimes i would feel awkward to show reverence when most others around me wont, but i think of the example i am setting for them, and i feel more confident.  i mean this without being prideful, but i hope even just one person can see the way a teenager in todays culture can turn to God as i have humbly learned to and be inspired to do the same

i like that idea of a short prayer while genuflecting to keep the action from being just a routine, and crossing urself just adds even more to it
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Ahh yes that is correct. Perhaps I was thinking of that Ghostbuster movie with the painting.

[Scofizzle]

[quote name='dUSt' date='Jun 13 2005, 02:19 PM']If the tabernacle is not present we should bow towards the altar. Of course, where the tabernacle is present we should genuflect (bending down to one knee).

Personally, I make it a point to try and set an example for those around me when I genuflect, slowly making the sign of the cross and remaining on my knee while I silently say to myself, "My Lord and my God". I only do this because I myself was affected by watching a stranger do this years ago.
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the way our parish is set up.....If I am walking acorss the front of the Chruch I always bow to the altar....then when I get over to the tabernacle I genuflect

[p-hawk]

In front of the tabernacle, I genuflect on one knee, crossing myself when I hit the ground. In front of the monstrance, I kneel fully, bow, and cross myself as I bow.

[Noel's angel]

The Tabernacle is directly behind our altar which is good

[franciscanheart]

ours is that way too but i remember when i went to wyd in canada the little church we were at the week before had it way off to the side. it was cool to have the tabernacle be our welcome though (there was a small entrance in between the tabernacle and altar area). many people there were impressed at us always genuflecting before it, saying they often forgot about such reverence but that each and every one of us took the time to stop and wait for our turn to do it.

its amazing what such a small gesture on our part (in our own desire for reverence) can do in regards to witnessing to others. its awesome.

[Noel's angel]

yeah, we have a little area which is behind a big glass bit. Maybe i should post a pic...

[Noel's angel]

never mind......

[Catholictothecore]

I was brought up instructed to do it.

[Noel's angel]

i wasn't. I think I've seen about 2 people in my whole life do it

[Tony]

Our parish has a seperate area as a chappel so thats where the taberknackle is at

[Noel's angel]

i did post pics of ours, but every time i post a pic, it usually results in the thread plummeting to the bottom of the page, so i deleted them

[Noel's angel]

oh, no, it just happens when I post. Maybe I should never post again.....

[franciscanheart]

awwww dont say that!! we wub you. see: :wub:

apparently it was like required to have the tabernacle hidden when not celebrating the Mass after a certain year. i dont know all the details but it was required based on the year you built a church. i hadnt heard of this before going to SEAS in Keller. They have a temp wall thats like stain glass or something that rolls in front of it.

Our tabernacle is always exposed. It sits just behind the altar and is the central focus of the church.

[Noel's angel]

awww, thanks I never knew that either. Ours is behind a big glass thing with curtains

[Noel's angel]

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[Apotheoun]

Genuflection is not the norm in the Byzantine Churches. In place of genuflection the lesser or greater metania is made, depending upon the liturgical season or the particular feast. Making the lesser metania involves a profound bow in which the back of the fingers of the right hand are touched to the ground, and then as the person returns to a standing posture he crosses himself. Making the greater metania involves a full prostration, where the person goes down onto his knees and then places his hands upon the ground in front of himself, and then he touches his forehead to the ground between his hands. Both the lesser and greater metania are often made in groups of three.

[Mrs. Bro. Adam]

I thought we always were supposed to cross ourselves when we genuflect...

[Noel's angel]

no one over here does it