Genuflect Or No?

[Laudate_Dominum]

I give humble obeisance unto the Lord our God by making profound prostrations and licking the ground that others have tread. When I am particularly overcome with piety and I smear my face into the ground so it is covered in saliva and dirt and I am publicly humiliated.

[Crispy]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' timestamp='1282031771' post='2158784']
I give humble obeisance unto the Lord our God by making profound prostrations and licking the ground that others have tread. When I am particularly overcome with piety and I smear my face into the ground so it is covered in saliva and dirt and I am publicly humiliated.
[/quote]

Good idea, I'll have to remember that one.

[Fragments]

Having only ever watched other do it, genuflecting looks the most traditional and the most respectful to an outsider. Somhow I doubt the Lord will mind much, as long as the person gives respect as to their abilty.
Whether that be age or co-cordination.
*Nudges MissScripture.*

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='Crispy' timestamp='1282045805' post='2158813']
Good idea, I'll have to remember that one.
[/quote]
That post was inspired by a story I recall reading in "The Glories of Mary" by Saint Alphonsus. The description in that book was actually weirder. haha. I wish I were that pious and radical.

[jeffpugh]

[quote name='Laudate_Dominum' timestamp='1282068584' post='2158969']
That post was inspired by a story I recall reading in "The Glories of Mary" by Saint Alphonsus. The description in that book was actually weirder. haha. I wish I were that pious and radical.
[/quote]

[MithLuin]

When I received my first communion, I was instructed to make a sign of the cross after receiving. I know that others in my class/parish would step aside and face the altar to do so. I think I just made the sign of the cross while turning away, though. At some point (I don't remember why/when) I added a sign of the cross before receiving, too. [This might have had something to do with communion being introduced under both species at our parish.] Then when I was about 20, a priest instructed me to genuflect before receiving at a large retreat, and so, along with everyone there, I learned to do that. Despite being in a very crowded gym, this was not a 'tripping hazard' because everyone timed their genuflection to happen while the person in front of them was receiving. I can't recall that I have [i]ever[/i] given a profound bow before receiving, though there have been times I've bowed my head and made the sign of the cross rather than genuflect (for instance, at a small private mass, where I know it would look like 'showing off' or distract other people).

I have genuflected before receiving ever since I was instructed to do so, and I have never been in a parish where the faithful were instructed [i]not[/i] to genuflect. [Also, no one has ever tripped on me, even if I am one of the few/only people doing this.] If they want everyone to bow, and make an announcement to that effect, I would have to struggle with my own inclinations/habits and obedience to the pastor. Hopefully, I'd have enough courage to ask the priest...[i]and then do what he says[/i]. Personally, I feel that the instructions are meant to encourage a sign of reverence, but if they are really meant to normalize the actions of the congregation, then I would have to concede that what I am doing 'stands out'. Nails that stick out get hammered, right?

[dominicansoul]

that's funny, 'cos I was taught NOT to make the Sign of the Cross when I received...

[IMG]http://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy305/laetitia_crucis/Random/nunemoticon.gif[/IMG]

[MIKolbe]

me too...