The hows and whys of genuflecting

Do you ever wonder why people drop to their knee before getting in their seat, or how to do it properly, or even WHEN to do it? Well, they are not (hopefully) picking up a dropped set of keys, but making a ritual gesture of respect toward the Blessed Sacrament, reserved in the tabernacle.

Most of us genuflect when entering a church as a matter of habit; some of us don't understand where we are directing this gesture. For instance, some people automatically genuflect when entering a church that has a separate chapel for the tabernacle, when, as you'll read in the article, a bow toward the altar would be the more appropriate gesture. (So, it's not just a matter of knowing what to do, but being conscious of why you are doing it... or not doing it!)

Here is a very short and clear article about genuflecting. I encourage you to read it, then teach your child(ren) before Mass this Sunday.