Catholic Reasons

catholic churches?

I'm not a regular church goer but i like to learn about god and have hopes of being a preacher. but I was just wondering why you have to kneel before you get in the pew and before you get out in catholic churches and why you pray when you first get in the pew?

Public Comments

1. That kneeling before sitting down and before leaving has a special term: genuflecting. It is a gesture of respect towards the Eucharist in the tabernacle, which Catholics believe to be truly Jesus Christ in the flesh. That's why we do that kneeling thing. We believe He's really there. Most people pray immediately upon sitting in the pew because the time before Mass is often quiet, and it is a good place to pray. Kneeling is also a posture very conducive to prayer, in my experience. My parish publicly recites the Rosary all together in that time before Mass.
2. Kneeling before you get in the pew is called Genuflecting the Eucharist. It is showing respect toward Jesus body that is in the tabernacle. Praying when you first get in the pew is just a sort of tradition. I don't really know why.
3. You are actually showing reverence to the Tabernacle on the Altar, where the Body and Blood of Christ are stored between masses. You kneel to pray to God and to prepare your self for the sacrifice of the Mass.
4. All who enter a Catholic Church are in the presence of God through the Eucharist which is usually situated behind the alter. Most Catholics acknowledge this by kneeling in worship in the direction of the Eucharist and making the sign of the cross before seating.
5. We kneel before we enter a pew as a sign of respect for Christ who is present(Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity) in the Eucharist. We also pray because again, the Eucharist is right there in front of you, and where is a better place to pray then before Christ himself?
6. Catholics believe in the Real Presence (that is that the bread and wine after consecration becomes the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ). Since the hosts are kept in tabernacle, it is respectful to kneel before God. Similarly before Mass when one enters the pew people often kneel because they are preparing themselves to receive communion (Jesus).
7. We kneel as a sign of respect and humility to God. We make a sign of the Cross, showing our believe in the Trinity (in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit), also a sign of respect. We pray at the beginning to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in our understanding, and to get ourselves ready for what's about to happen.
8. Your question seems a little strange since you can do those things even in your own home. Most Catholic Churches do have Jesus present in the Eucharist requiring a genuflection in that direction. A greeting (prayer) would naturally follow. May I suggest you read the Catholic Catechism which can be found herein on the internet. If you are unmarried, you could even aspire to being a priest in the Catholic Church.
9. The kneeling is to honor God (the Eucharist) .....like curtsying before the Queen. Praying when you first enter the pew is like saying to God....I'm here and I'm asking for your blessings ....it's like a greeting when you enter someones home.
10. Cat Has given you a good Answer, swan did too but it is not a tradition to Kneel and pray , or pray before mass, You are in the House of the Lord..it is a good time to reflect on loved ones or the sick , the lonley that you either know or know of, People who need the Help of our Savior in there Life...Aslo to pray for those who have passed on... God Bless Add on...All your answers are perfect so far.. and Good luck....EWTN.com for Guidance
11. GENUFLECTION - Bending of the knee as an act of reverence. Customary when passing before the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, entering the pew for divine worship, and during certain ceremonies to the Cross. A double genuflection of both knees simultaneously was commonly made before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in a monstrance. The new directive since the Second Vatican Council specifies: "One knee is bent before the Blessed Sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration" (Eucharistiae Sacramentum, 1973, number 84). Genuflections are also made to the Pope, to a cardinal, and to a bishop in his own diocese. One prays when they first get to the pew to prep for Mass. One best be in a composed state of spiritual ease when participating in the Mass. Quietly praying before Mass begins is how Catholics obtain this proper state of spiritual composure.