Our Faith journey is lifelong-from birth to death. As a Catholic, we are taught to respect our place of worship as well as be an example for our youth. Over time, certain traditions have fallen by the wayside or have been completely forgotten. It may be uncomfortable to ask about certain actions/genuflections, prayers, and/or timing for responses.
So-to continue our journey together-here are a few refreshers =)
Respecting the Sunday liturgy
Every Church is a House of the Lord. As such, it is important to remember the holiness of the Mass as well as other religious services conducted there. In the interest of creating and maintaining a more devout Sunday liturgy, the following should be observed:
(A) The time before Mass begins is NOT a time for socializing. When the Church bells ring before Mass, silence should be observed by all.
(B) When walking to the altar for Communion or returning to your pew, the focus should be on the Eucharist. There is no need to greet anyone along the way to or from the Communion station.
(C) The Eucharistic fast is a required component of Communion. Everyone must abstain from food or drink (except water) at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion. Chewing gum, candy, or cookies during Mass is not acceptable.
(D) To sing in Church is to pray twice. Please make an effort to learn the words and sing the hymns by using the hymnals available in each pew.
(E) Holy Communion may be received on the tongue or on the hand. When received on the hand, the Sacred Host is to be placed in your mouth before turning away from the altar.
Why Genuflect?
The term genuflect comes from the Latin words genu, meaning “knee,” and flectere, “to bend.” In our time it has come to mean kneeling towards the tabernacle before entering the pew or walking by.
Kneeling in the presence of God has a long history throughout the Bible (see 1 Ezra 8:73, and Luke 22:41), and for this reason Christians the world over continue to do so today. While the forms may change, the reasons remain the same: To show respect for the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, housed in the tabernacle of the Church (Which is always accompanied by a candle )
Here's a big one-
At COMMUNION, bow before receiving the Precious Body, and again before receiving the Precious Blood as a gesture of reverence.
GENUFLECT before the Tabernacle when entering and again when leaving the Church.
Observe and reflect upon these small gestures of respect for our Father and our Savior.
Thank you for aiding in our quest to enrich the Faith of our youth and our Faith Community.
Have a Blessed Week
MP