How do you genuflect? and what to do w/ holy water? I'm going w/ a friend to catholic church.?

Question

There is a little bowl of water, i dip my fingers in it & then cross myself, and do I also "bow"/ genuflect & towards what?

I saw some people bow toward the baptism area (on one side of church) & I saw some genuflect toward the monstrance/host/crucifix area.

help? i don't want to offend anyone by doing it wrong.

Answer 1

Thank you for your interest and respect.

+ Genuflection +

At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Take this bread. It is my body.” Then he said, “Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.”

Catholics believe this was the First Eucharist, which through some miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Catholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where the priest, acting in place of Christ, changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

This is a great sacrament of thanksgiving and unity of Catholics.

If any of the Body of Christ is not consumed, then it is safely stored in the tabernacle. After all of these years, still the place where God dwells in the midst of the His people.

Tabernacle, tabernaculum in Latin, means tent.

This is the tent that the Jews put the Ten Commandments and the Ark of the Covenant. This is where God dwelt in the midst of the His people.

When Catholics enter a church and before they sit down, they genuflect, go down on one knee, our of respect for the real presence of Jesus Christ in the tabernacle.

+ Holy Water +

Holy Water is a sacramental.

Sacramentals are sacred signs that help us live holy lives. Although they do not produce sanctifying grace

Sacramentals include blessings of persons, meals, objects (including water), and places.

The priest blesses the congregation during Mass.

Christians bless their meals. "Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts, ..."

Priests bless water, animals, ships, homes, and even automobiles. "God bless this home and all those who enter here."

Catholic bless themselves with Holy Water when they enter a church. This reminds us of our Baptism.

+ Visitors +

Non-Catholic visitors do not have to genuflect or bless themselves with Holy Water if they do not believe the same as we do.

During Mass you do not have to kneel if you wish not to. Please sit and stand as everyone else does.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

You probably wont offend anyone because most Catholics are doing things simply out of habit from what they learned from their parents. Most Catholics cannot give you the right answers to the questions.

The bowl of water is called a Holy Water Font. It is the Catholic practice when you enter or leave a Church or chapel to dip your fingertips into the Holy Water Font and then make the Sign of the Cross by touching your fingetips to your forehead, heart, left shoulder, right shoulder while silently praying In the name of the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit. Amen. This is done to remind us of our Baptism.

As far as genuflecting and bowing it depends on how the Church is set up. When Catholics genuflect when they enter and leave the Church the are genuflecting to the Tabernacle, which is a large, ornate box usually made of Gold, but they can be silver or even wooden. The Tabernacle contains the Eucharist, the Body of Christ consecrated at a previous Mass. The tabernacle will always have a single lit candle next to or above it. This candle is usually red. Some churches are designed so that the Tabernacle is not in the church proper but in a side chapel. In these churches there is nothing to genuflect to. Proper Catholic etiquette then calls for you to bow towards the altar.
As you have described you will see people bowing and genuflecting in all different directions and they wouldn't be able to tell you why if you asked them. If you are visiting a church with your friend and do not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist you really don't need to genuflect to the Tabernacle. It is up to you whether you want to bless yourself with the Holy Water. Not everyone coming in to church does.
Come in quietly and respectfully and take off your hat if your wearing one. You will be fine. Anyone who would make any comment to you wouldn't be acting very Christ-like themselves.

Answer 3

From a non-Catholic who's learned from friends... :o)

When you walk in, it's usually nearly silent, so be respectful of that...

Take your right hand, and dip your fingers into the water and cross yourself (up down left right).

Then you'll walk up the aisle to the pew. Before you step into the pew, sort of kneel down on one knee (like when a guy proposes), you don't have to be totally on the floor though, just close..and do the sign of the cross again.

During the service, just follow what your friend does on the sitting/standing/kneeling...also, scout around and see if the hymnal has a "cheat sheet" in it, with the words to the Creed, and an idea of the order of the service.

A note about communion. Unless you're Catholic, you are not permitted to take communion..even if you are a different type of Christian. More on that below.

You'll do the same "bowing" sequence as you exit the pew.

The reason for the bowing is to show respect to the "tabernacle", that is the place where the "host" (bread) is kept. It usually looks like a box of sorts, sometimes it's shiny. This part is a big deal, because Catholics believe that Jesus truly inhabits the tabernacle and host. That's why non-catholics don't take communion in a Catholic church, because of the difference in belief on the symbolism of communion

Just relax and do what the other people are doing. It can be a little awkward, but most people aren't focused on you, they're doing their own thing anyway

Answer 4

I know of no reason to bow toward the baptismal. Only genuflect before the monstrance and the tabernacle [the box on the altar]. These contain the Body of Christ in the form of consecrated bread. Genuflection is just going down on your right knee for a moment, then returning to a standing position.

Answer 5

When entering and leaving the Church you dip your fingers into the font and cross yourself. When you've chosen a pew to sit in, you genuflect (facing the alter) prior to sitting down. If you happen to pass in from of the Tabernacle, you must stop, face it, and genuflect before moving on.

It is also appropriate to bow in front of the alter table as well.

If you forget to do any of these things, it is unlikely you will offend anyone, but thanks for taking an interest in learning the "procedure".

I think the best advice is to watch and see what (most of) the people are doing, and just do what they do. There's nothing to it.

Answer 6

Drop down on one knee and make the sign of the cross towards the alter (the middle of it) when you enter and leave the pew (the bench). Holy water upon entrance and exit of the church. People don't get offended when newcomers are a little outta the loop. I'd worry more about the standing and sitting thing - just follow your friend's lead. When communion comes, if you wish to be blessed join the line, when you reach the front cross your arms over your chest, and bow your head. PBWY (peace be with you)

Answer 7

CATHOLIC 101:
If you are a visitor, you don't have to touch any water, bow, genuflect or cross yourself. It is for the Catholics and means something to them.
To be a polite as possible and to avoid people thinking you are a heathen, you might try kneeling down on one knee (either one) for about a count of 3, vwhile holding on to the railing. Use the railing to haul yourself back up again upon entering and leaving the pew (the long wooden bench you sit on.) This is a genuflect. You don't make the cross or say anything. Try not to grunt..
You do have to wear clean clothes, (sometimes shorts and sleevelss shirts are out.--ASK) be quiet and sit still, facing the front (altar.) You can stand when everyone stands, sit or kneel when they do or just sit. Try not to snore.
If you feel sick or faint, get outside as quickly as possible. Passing out or vomiting is disruptive to other church goers.

Answer 8

Traditionally one bends one knee when entering a church & dips ones fingers in the holy water & makes the sign of the cross.
Never been aware of any direction to face or the practice of bowing.
If you are not Catholic, I do'nt think anyone would be offended if you did not genuflect.
Nice sign of respect for your friend though.

Answer 9

How Do You Genuflect

Answer 10

You do not have to do any of these as you are not Catholic.
However, always show your respect toward the cross, and
you already got the water thing down. Another tip. Follow your
friend and do as she does.