Q: I would like to help us in clarifying something about the reverence to the altar when the tabernacle is in the sanctuary. According to GIRM 49, the appropriate reverence to the altar is a profound bow. GIRM 274 stipulates that: “If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is situated in the sanctuary, the Priest, the Deacon, and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from it, but not during the celebration of Mass itself.”
Does it mean that when the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, the profound bow is replaced with a genuflection on the part of all, or both (bow and genuflection) can be made? Can the bow substitute for a genuflection?
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A: I see most priests make a genuflection and omit the bow, but, the way I read it, both gestures really are appropriate. Upon approaching the sanctuary, first the ministers genuflect to the tabernacle, then they bow to the altar, and then they approach the altar and kiss its mensa. I think that’s what’s implied, but I rarely see anyone do it.
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Q: Thank you very much for your enlightening answer. However, I would like to seek for your opinion following your answer. The altar, being the center of the thanksgiving that is accomplished through the Eucharist (GIRM 296), would it not be appropriate to start by bowing to the altar, and then, turn to the tabernacle for the genuflection. What is your opinion?
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A: I still think the genuflection precedes the bow. Look, for example, at Order of Mass 1. As GIRM 49 does, it unites the bow and the kiss as altar venerations. The relationship seems even tighter in the Order of Mass.
I think of the tabernacle genuflection as something distinct. It is made as the ministers approach the altar (GIRM 274), so I think of it as the first reverence the ministers make before turning full attention to the altar, and the last reverence the ministers make, turning full attention back to the tabernacle now that Mass has ended.
I admit that the GIRM is not clear, so either sequence is arguable.