I've noticed in a few Catholic churches, both in our diocese and other cities, and I've even noticed that you do this, and that is bow during the Creed, I believe at the mention of the Holy Spirit. Is this something we are all to do and, if so, how come I haven't heard it explained at church, or did I miss that too one Sunday?
Yes, this is something we are all to do. If you look at the missalette on page 74 or in any other missal to the Mass and look at the Nicene Creed, it gives the instruction, “all bow during the following two lines” and the lines indicated are: “by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.” On Christmas, we are instructed to genuflect during these words.
So let’s ask the follow-up question, why? All our actions at Mass have meaning. A genuflection (bending the right knee to the ground) signifies adoration, so it is done only in worship to God. A bow signifies reverence and honor to a person or to the signs that represent them. We are instructed to genuflect to Jesus truly present in the Eucharist reserved in the tabernacle. If a person is unable to genuflect, then they should bow. We are further instructed to bow to the altar (a sign that represents Jesus) if there is no tabernacle. For those who cannot kneel during the consecration, they are to bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. We are to bow or show some sign of reverence before receiving Jesus at communion. And finally, we are asked to bow our heads at the mention of the Trinity, or at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honor Mass is being celebrated. I could and should be a little more attentive to this practice myself.
So the reason we bow during the Creed, is to honor Jesus who humbled himself to become a man. It is one of the greatest and profound mysteries of our faith that God became man. This is the mystery we celebrate at Christmas!
Finally, to answer your question of why you’ve never heard this before, well, I can only answer for myself and don’t believe that I have ever mentioned it yet in my priesthood (1 ½ years), but I am today because of your question. That’s why questions are good!
There is great depth to the Mass, so I suggest to everyone learning more by either reading a book, asking someone a question, or attending (when offered) a “demonstration Mass” that explains it as it goes. This would be a great way to prepare for the coming of the Lord.
-Fr. Greg
If you would like submit a question, please write it out and place it in the “Ask a Priest” box in the vestibule or email me at frgreg@kc.rr.com.
