How and When to Genuflect.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 15, 10 April 1902, Page 4

How and When to Genuflect.

GKNUFLFCTION before the Blessed Sacrament is intended as a most reverential act of faith and won-hip. But i-i order that this pious practice may attain the intended aim, which is to honor our Lord in the Sacrament of the altar, it is not enough to genuflect in some manner or other but to do it well and reverently (s-ays an exchrnge). The writer then proceeds to give these few directions in regard to the time and places where a connection is proper. And first, there are two kinds of genuflection ; the simple genuflection and tho genuflection with both knees or prostiation. The first is made by bending the right, knee only till it touches, the floor and bowing the head while kneeling. The simple genuflection is to be made on the following occasions ■ — First — Every time that you pass before the tabernacle containing the Blessed Sicrament. Si condly — In entering a church or chapel in which the Ble^-std Pner iment is kept always genufWt before entering your plaoi-. Tuirdly — Wben leaving the church or chapel. Fourthly — \\h n thf priest recites at the ultar that article of the' Credo, ' Et H ;u>o iiictus t bt ; ' and these wcruß of the last gospel, 'Et Verbum caro facti-m est.' There are, besides, many other circumstances in which it is proper to peurfiVct, for instance, during these words of the gospel on Epiphany Day, ' Et Procidentes adoia\eiunt Eum,' The gci.nflfction with both knees is niade every dine you pas< before the Blested S, crament when exposed. In or 'er that a genuflection moy be really a religious act, it is n'e^e^ary that ir should be made with composure, deiency. and gravity, and without iirocip talion.