Apr 9 Wed
Why do we genuflect in church?
Catholics genuflect as a gesture of reverence, humility, and worship, particularly in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. By bending one knee to the ground, we acknowledge God's divine majesty and our faith in His presence.
It's a physical act that reflects an inner attitude of devotion and respect, performed when passing in front of the tabernacle where the Eucharist is kept.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, explained this expression of reverence we make in church — genuflection — and why we make this sign in the liturgy.
“When we come into a church, we look for the tabernacle, where the real presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is reposed, and we genuflect!” the archbishop of New York explained.
“We go down on one knee. We genuflect. Why? That’s the ancient sign of adoration, the ancient sign of esteem, the ancient sign of worship,” he continued.
The cardinal pointed out that “when you hear the name of Jesus, every knee on earth and in heaven should bend, as St. Paul taught. That’s genuflection — we do it to Jesus, really and truly present in the most Blessed Sacrament.”
Dolan recalled that “St. Thomas Aquinas said: ‘You know what? Satan doesn’t have knees because he genuflects to no one.’ Well, we do. We genuflect to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.”
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal specifies “a genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the holy cross” on Good Friday.
During the Mass, we genuflect at certain moments. The liturgy gives us a foretaste of and a share in the song which the Angels and Saints sing in the glory of heaven, and which we are called to sing one day. Praise the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord, or show forth all his praise?
We must have a great love for the liturgy, because our whole life is centered on the Holy Mass, the summit of all the Church's liturgical actions. And it is in the Mass that we can establish a living relationship with the Blessed Trinity, with our Mother the Blessed Virgin, and with the Angels and Saints.
St. Josemaría taught us the value of piety in the Holy Liturgy! “I was not at all surprised when someone told me a few days ago, talking about a model priest who died recently: ‘What a saint he was!’ ‘Did you know him very well?’ I asked. ‘No,’ he said, ‘but I once saw him saying the Mass’.”
“Don't forget that the liturgical life is a life of love - love for God the Father, through Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit; together with the whole Church, which you are part of."
Our life must be influenced by the liturgy, and filled with liturgical spirit. The prayers and petitions of the liturgical acts can become a theme for our aspirations throughout the day. And our contact with God in the Mass must be prolonged in visits to the Blessed Sacrament and other acts of piety.
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