GENUFLECTION – a token of Faith

No one will deny that the first act of worship which we are suppose to offer to God on entering a Church – the genuflection is sometimes made very carelessly and irreverently, even by people who claim to be devout. Bishops, Priests and even Popes of the old have reminded the faithful again and again of the duty, as well as the manner of genuflecting. Catholics who go to Church for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, or for any other religious service, or to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, ought to conduct themselves in such a way that anyone can tell at a glance that their devotion is deep and true. A well-made genuflection is one of the best signs of interior recollection and devotion.

Earlier the children were taught that the proper way to make a genuflection is to bend the right knee
to the floor when the Blessed Sacrament is in the Tabernacle. When the Blessed Sacrament is

exposed,one should kneel on both knees, making a reverent inclination of the head and shoulders. The genuflection should be made reverently, thoughtfully and without haste, with eyes fixed on the Tabernacle or Monstrance and not roaming curiously about the Church. It is an act of homage and adoration of both body and soul, offered to the divinity and the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, present on the altar. That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth and under the earth. (Phil. 2:10). Every Catholic man, woman and child unless physically unable to do so should genuflect upon entering and when leaving the Church or passing before the altar on which the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.

To encourage Catholics to make their genuflection, as prescribed, the Sacred Congregation of
Indulgences has granted an indulgence of 300 days to all who, while making a single genuflection, say the invocation: “Jesus, my God, I adore You here present in the Sacrament of Your love” or a similar one, such as “My Lord and my God.” An indulgence of 500 days is granted for the same act of reverence while making a double genuflection before the Most Blessed Sacrament exposed.

I

In Our Lord and Lady,

Fr. Gregory Noronha, FSSPX

Thanks to The Ark  ( Magazine)