When you bow (genuflection) in a Catholic church, is your right knee bent, or touching the floor?

Question

I am in the process of converting to Catholicism and am really enjoying learning so much about the faith and myself. I can't wait for RCIA to really get going. For now, I'm learning basics, and what various things mean. I finally learned why people drop to a knee before sitting at mass--genuflection. But I after I was told about this, I realized, I don't understand what is meant by "on the right knee." Does this mean that your right knee is bent, or your right knee is the one touching the floor? I don't want to do it and be disrespectful because I do it wrong. Thank you!

Answer 1

The traditional way to genuflect is to have your left foot on the ground, bend your left, then lower your body and bend your right knee so your right knee touches the ground.

Genuflection is normally done towards the tabernacle. Bowing is done towards the altar. If a tabernacle is not present in the main sanctuary, simply bow to the altar before entering the pew.

View Episode 1 of That Catholic Show at http://www.sqpn.com/?cat=35 for more about sitting standing and kneeling

I hope you enjoy the RCIA classes. May you have a wonderful, eye opening, heart awakening journey.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Answer 2

Genuflect Which Knee

Answer 3

Genuflecting is a very respectful thing to do. It may depend on the church you go to, if not genuflecting, or doing it incorrectly is being disrespectful. However, in some churches, bowing toward the altar upon entering the church is also seen as a similar form of respect.

RCIA is a great place to ask questions. I have been an RCIA sponsor in the past. Feel free to ask the priest, or pastoral care worker who is leading the sessions. No question is a silly question.

Answer 4

Your right knee should touch the floor. I went through RCIA 2 years ago and learned about the Holy Eucharist, which is why we genuflect. I see too many people just bend the knee (some don’t even bother to do that) and it burns me. I can understand if they are old or have medical conditions that prevent them from fully kneeling to the floor, but there are so many others that do this little “knee-jerk” pretend-genuflection and I want to scream. However, I just remind myself to set the example and fully kneel, touching the floor when in the presence of my Lord.

God bless and take care.

Answer 5

Touch your knee to the ground if at all possible, while reverently looking up towards the tabernacle, or the exposed host.

Make a leisurely sign of the cross, while keeping your eyes and heart on the Lord. Then slowly stand and continue on.

Don't rush. Practice this at home until you're comfortable with it.

The real question is, why don't ALL Christians genuflect in honor of Jesus? It's totally biblical, and it shouldn't be just a Catholic thing.

Phi 2:9 For which cause, God also hath exalted him and hath given him a name which is above all names:
Phi 2:10 That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:
Phi 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Answer 6

The knee should be bent. It's okay if it touches the floor. The main thing is to be doing it with reverence. God bless.

Answer 7

Thank you for caring enough to ask

Unless you have a physical disability, your knee should touch the floor.

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.

With love in Christ.

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

Just kneel and bow to your master, and you shall be saved

Answer 10

Touch the floor, please. If you are physically unable to do so, allowances can be made. If you can physically touch the ground, then do so. If you don't , it's disrespectful.