4 important facts about genuflection before the Eucharist

Genuflection is a deeply rooted practice in the Catholic Church, but it could lose its meaning and the way it is performed if the reason why it was established is not understood. For this reason, we share with you 4 facts about the importance of this act of honor, loyalty and love towards Christ the Eucharist.

1. Genuflection

The pastoral section of the Archdiocese of Seville (Spain) indicates that the word genuflection comes from medieval Latin kneeling: gĕnu (knee) and flexĭo (flexion). On the other hand, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal describes that genuflection “is done by bending the right knee to the ground” and “means adoration.”

The Spanish archdiocese specifies that this was a sign of respect made to kings and nobles during the Middle Ages and has been included in the liturgy since the 16th century. However, he specifies that the nobility were worshiped by bending their left knee. That is why Christians chose to bend their right knee, as a sign of devotion that is surrendered only to God.

2. Single or double genuflection?

In ancient times, Catholics also performed a double genuflection before the exposed Blessed Sacrament. This consisted of bending the right knee until it touched the ground and then the left knee, so that the person remained kneeling for a short time and bowed with their head. Then he stood up, raising his left knee first.

The Roman ritual Communion and Eucharistic worship outside of mass indicates that “before the Blessed Sacrament, already reserved in the tabernacle, already exposed for public adoration, only simple genuflection is performed.”

In this sense, double genuflection is not mandatory in an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, but there are faithful who continue to practice it out of personal devotion.

3. At what other times is genuflection done?

The genuflection is done when entering and leaving the temple, always looking at the tabernacle, to greet and say goodbye to Christ in the Eucharist.

According to the Code of Canon Lawthe way to know that “the presence of Christ” is in the tabernacle is when a special lamp, usually red, is lit next to it.

During the development of the Mass, the General Instruction explains that “all those who pass in front of the Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they advance in a procession.”

The document also points out that genuflection before the Cross is only performed at a certain time of the liturgical year. This is “from the solemn adoration in the liturgical action of Good Friday in the Passion of the Lord until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.”

4. Does genuflection “appease the wrath” of the Lord?

The Catholic Encyclopedia records that Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan and one of the greatest Fathers and Doctors of the Church, said: “The knee becomes flexible, through which the offense against the Lord is mitigated, anger is appeased, grace is made to arise. ”.

For his part, Saint John Paul II, in a homily which he delivered in 1979 highlighted that “every act of reverence, every genuflection that you make before the Blessed Sacrament, is important because it is an act of faith in Christ, an act of love for Christ.”