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| Double Genuflection Question from Joseph+G%2E+Kelley on 08-08-2001: | ||
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Years back it was the practice to genuflect on both knees when the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. This went away, whether by rule or practice I'm not sure. Some in our church are now trying to revive it. What is the rule? I'm not averse to strict interpretation of rules, but I don't want to support an effort to be holier than the pope. Hope that makes sense. Thanks - Joe | ||
| Answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL on 08-22-2001: | ||
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The new (i.e. post-Vatican II) norms for Exposition call for a single genuflection by the liturgical ministers. I am guessing that this acknowledges no objective theological difference between the Presence before and after Exposition. That means, Christ is Present or not Present, not more or less Present depending on whether He is exposed in the Monstrance or not. Notwithstanding this, however, I have noticed that throughout the world, including Rome, the custom of the double genuflection by the clergy continues. As for the laity, keep in mind that the people proceed usually by analogy to what the ministers do, not by rule. And, even when rubrics are given for the people there is often a distinction between what the ministers do and what the congregation does. Thus, the new GIRM says that the ministers do not genuflect when the Tabernacle is behind the altar in the course of the Mass, except at the beginning when they enter. On the other hand, except when in a procession the people always genuflect when passing in front of the Tabernacle. Finally, Rome has made it clear in its responses to doubts about the interpretation of the rubrics that it is not of the mind to squash the sincere piety of the people when it is not contrary to the meanign of the liturgical action. So, on all grounds I find no reason why the individual lay person may not genuflect on both knees to the Exposed Sacrament.
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