Q: A reader carries the Book of the Gospels in the entrance procession. After placing it on the altar, should he bow to the altar?
In Let Us Pray, #178, you wrote the reader should bow when they leave the sanctuary due to the Ceremonial of Bishops (CB) 72. But what if the reader remains in the sanctuary?
GIRM 49 and 122 convey that ministers make a profound bow to the altar. CB 70 says those carrying the Book of the Gospels do not make a profound bow. But when they stop carrying it seems an appropriate time to bow.
For a deacon, GIRM 173 is clear: “he omits the sign of reverence”. It overrides GIRM 49. The deacon kisses the altar, so an additional bow is omitted.
But for a reader there is not a similar instruction to omit the bow to the altar. A bow is not mentioned in GIRM 195 (when carrying, after placing); but that is not as clear as GIRM 49 and 122 that do indicate the need for a bow.
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A: After a reader places the book of the gospels to the altar, a bow is not required, especially if the reader takes up a place in the sanctuary as a deacon would do. However, if the reader leaves the sanctuary, then a bow would be appropriate to mark the transition.
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