In a Catholic Church, are you supposed to make the sign of the cross when entering and before entering the pew

Answer 1

Catholics genuflect when entering and leaving a Church (or a pew).

Kneeling on one knee is a sign of honor and worship to Jesus Christ and an expression of faith in his real presence in the tabernacle as consecrated bread.

Making the Sign of the Cross while genuflecting is optional.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Genuflecting is about respect. The bit with the holy water when you enter the church is not incredibly different in point and purpose from Islam's wudu. A sort of purification ritual before prayer.

Genuflecting before entering the pew is typically just a quick drop to a knee. But I learned to make the sign of the cross when I do it, so I still do it that way. People who can't kneel will also pause and make the sign of the cross. That's just a show of respect to the tabernacle and the eucharist that it contains. Either is perfectly acceptable, the most important thing is that the intention is there.

Show props to Jesus and God, not just in church, but in everything you do and you'll be straight.

Answer 3

Just for entering the pew, no. What people are doing is making the sign of the cross and (usually) bowing or genuflecting as a sign of respect to the fact that the Holy Eucharist is present in the tabernacle. It has nothing to do with the pew, but most of us Catholics do it as we enter the pew (before mass) and leave the pew (after mass).

Answer 4

This is a big misconception among Catholics.

When you enter the Church you make the sign of the cross after dipping your fingers in holy water.

When entering or leaving the pew, you need only genuflect on one knee. There is no need to make the sign of the cross.

When you pass before the tabernacle, same thing, genuflect but no sign of the cross necessary.

However, if the Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar in a monstrance, as in Eucharistic Adoration, instead of genuflecting on one knee, you are supposed to do it on two knees and make a slight bow.

I learned all this from our pastor. However the link below is an awesome page about liturgical etiquette, with just about anything you've ever wanted to know.

Answer 5

When you first enter the Catholic Church, there is a Holy Water Fountain, you take some with your tips of your finger and make the sign of the Cross, Before you enter a pew, you kneel on one knee and then enter the pew.

Answer 6

Yes. When entering the nave (where the pews are) of the Church, there are small holy water fonts near the doors. It is traditional to dip one's fingers into the water and make the Sign of the Cross. One then proceeds to the pews.

When you get to the pew you wish to sit, one will pause to genuflect first, then enter the pew. Some people will make the Sign of the Cross (again) as they genuflect.

Answer 7

Some ppl still cross themselves when entering a pew. This was done in my dads time. (1920-1970's). It depends alot on what the local teaching was at the time. Nowadays most don't cross again when entering a pew. Tho I still see some seniors still do this.

Answer 8

On entering the Church, you dip you fingers in holy water and make the sign of the cross. This is to remind us of our baptism.

When entering the pew, you genuflect and cross yourself facing the tabernacle. This is because Jesus is present in the Tabernacle. Also, a sign of reverance, because there is always a relic of a saint inside the altar.

Answer 9

We aren't kneeling to the cross. We genuflect (kneel on one knee and cross ourselves) before the tabernacle--which is where the Eucharist is held. If the Eucharist is on display on the alter, then we kneel on both knees and cross ourselves. If the Eucharist is not present in the church, then we bow towards the alter in reverence to the holy relic within the alter. Every Catholic church has a relic from a Saint in their alter and so we show reverence by bowing, but we do not kneel to the crucifix.

Answer 10

you're also supposed to kneel

its called a genuflect

you do it before going in the pew, and after getting out(but getting out to leave church, when you get up for Eucharist you dont