Genuflections
by VP
Posted on Saturday February 21, 2026 at 12:00AM in Quotes
- La prière, église Saint-Bonnet ( Léon Augustin Lhermitte 1844-1925) (Prayer, Saint Bonnet's Church)
"Some old-fashioned Catholics of long ago, we are told, would genuflect before entering a seat in any sort of auditorium. The incongruity of such an action, especially in a temple of entertainment, must have been amusing to a casual onlooker. The thoughtful man, however, would find something impressive in such an out of place devotion. For its occurrence would argue a solidly established familiarity with the Church and a corresponding lack of acquaintance with the theater and all its kindred.
Habitual though it might be, the bending of the knee by an old-fashioned Catholic before the altar of his God would necessarily be both deep and reverent. He knew that he was bowing in humble adoration before the Lord of all, before the Savior hidden in the tabernacle.
Judging from the genuflections demonstrated in church by some of the modern generation, the presence of our Lord on the altar is not so keenly comprehended. The faint inclination, the hasty dip, the slouchily indifferent bending of the knee can only indicate habit and custom based on little of thought or comprehension. For surely if the careless in this little ritualistic recognition of the Eucharist truly realized the Monarch before Whom they bowed they would at once become careful, devout and reverent. Catholic Transcript."
Source: Our Young People, V.39 #7, July 1930
