I vaguely remember the first time I saw someone bend their knee before getting into a pew – I probably thought they were trying to tie their shoe. I didn’t think much about it at the time, until I saw someone else kneel immediately after. My brain clicked, and I realized this was some sort of respect ritual that Catholics did in the wild. It was one of those curiosities that I observed, like wearing cardigans everyday.
This is me thinking as an observer at a daily mass. A lot of interesting things pop into the head of a covert discovering the mass for the first time, and genuflection, as I would come to know it, definitely stood out.
There is an interesting conversion story I could write about, but today I want to talk about genuflection. Specifically, I want to offer new converts 7 tips that I learned on how to genuflect as an out of shape convert.
Tip 1: Know Why and Where Your Genuflecting
For the first year of my conversion I had no idea why I was kneeling before entering and exiting the pews. I didn’t even know that geneflection was the proper term. The word genuflection was just some funny word the genie had said in Aladdin during the prince Ali song. At the time all I knew was that the daily massers were doing it, it looked very holy, and it probably made God happy. Here are two things I wish I knew before I ever attempted my first Genuflection.
First, you Genuflect on the right knee (NOT THE LEFT!) as a sign of adoration to God. Bending on your right knee is reserved for God so as good Catholics we should only bend our right knee for God. Left knee bending is for kings and dignitaries, FYI.
Second, we genuflect in the presence and toward the direction of the Eucharist. If Jesus is in the tabernacle, as indicated by the red candle being lit, we genuflect roughly toward Jesus as we enter and exit our pew. If we are taking communion then we genuflect before taking communion because Jesus is right in front of us. Also, as an added bonus, and I just recently discovered this while researching this article, we genuflect toward the Holy Cross on Good Friday until the beginning of Easter Vigil. See GIRM 274.
Now that you know why you genuflect I will start sharing how you can teach yourself to do it more effectively.
Tip 2: Genuflect on the Right Knee! NOT THE LEFT!
I know I already said this so it might seem like overkill, but believe me I would have given anything to know this three years ago. For some context, when I first discovered genuflection I didn’t notice what leg the good Catholics were bending on – I just saw bending. I instinctually started genuflecting on my left knee because it was easier to get back up using the strength of my right leg – I’m right handed and right legged – I spent the next three years genuflecting on the wrong leg.
God was probably happy with my effort, but I was ultimately disappointed that I had spent three years building up leg muscle on the wrong leg. When I discovered my error I had to start all over again – I had to go back to using the pew for assistance. Which brings us to my next tip.
Tip 3: Don’t be Ashamed to Use the Pew
Depending on your confidence level, and the number of strong robust Catholics in your parish, you might feel self-conscious about using the pew for support. How other people saw me, specifically how girl parishioners saw me, was going through my mind when I first started genuflecting. Luckily, I was confident enough not to care too much, and just started grabbing the pew. However, If I could tell anything to young single male converts out there it would be this – don’t be hard on yourself if you need the pew.
Genuflection uses muscles that converts just don’t have. How often do secular people or even protestants spontaneously kneel? The cradle Catholics have been genuflecting since they were born – they had a lifetime to build those muscles. So don’t feel bad if you’re a little wobbly at first, and need pew support to get down and up. Remember, you’re doing this for God not for the cradle Catholic girls.
Also, remember, even if you look a little weak having to use the pew you will look really weak if you get stuck at the down position, and have to place your hands on the ground to pick yourself up. Just use the pew until you’re ready.
Tip 4: Get to Mass Early (and Be the Last to Leave)
You want to arrive at mass early so you can pick your pew. Until you have mastered genuflection you’re going to want to sit on the left side pews. In my experience it’s easier to lift yourself back up using your left arm. If you show up too late to mass it’s possible that the left side pews might be all taken. If this happens you will be stuck with the right pew, and you might end up in wobble town.
As an added bonus, if you show up really really early and you’re the last to leave, almost no one will notice (mainly your sisters in Christ won’t see) that you had to use the pew to genuflect. You also get to practice genuflection without pew assistance – you can wobble away and gain some unassisted practice.
Tip 5: Don’t Genuflect During Communion Until Your Ready
I know that you will be tempted to genuflect during communion, and if you feel called to do it go for it. However, I don’t recommend it, and here is why.
First, as a new genuflector it will take you a long time to get down and up. This might hold up the communion line. Second, if you mess up there is no support around. Messing up is fine if you have a pew next to you, but in the middle aise you have no choice but to put your arms on the ground to pick yourself up. Third, if you lose your balance you might tip over.
I know I said a lot about not being embarrassed to use the pew, but messing up a genuflection during communion is a different story – this can be particularly embarrassing. Unless you’re called to it, wait till you’re ready. God will understand.
Tip 6: Start Doing Genufitness
This is something I wish I would have done earlier. When I first started genuflecting I believed that I would slowly start getting the genuflection muscles naturally – I was going to daily mass after all, that was like working out right? – wrong. While I did eventually develop the muscle needed to genuflect (on the wrong leg), it took a lot longer than you would think. I estimate it took about a year of daily masses.
Also, for those of you that don’t or can’t attend daily mass it will take forever! If you can only make it to mass on Sundays you really need to work out – once a week genuflection won’t give you the gains you need. This is what you need to know.
Genuflection is essentially a reverse lunge. Thus, the best thing you can do is start doing reverse lunges at home. If you’re not ready for reverse lunges try forward lunges – they train the same muscles. Eventually you want to transition to reverse lunges though as our Lord intended.
Check out youtube videos on how to do reverse lunges. There are videos for every fitness level. This video here is a specifically Catholic video on reverse lunges by CatholicFIT – https://youtu.be/D1bvGm6wRb4?si=4AQ2yvY-BxHoaWAl
Finally, add weights when you’re ready. If you continue to follow this Catholic journey you might eventually have a kid. One thing is genuflecting on your own, and the other is genuflecting while holding onto a moving toddler. Weights will get you ready – maybe use shake weights for a better simulation.
Tip 7: A Few Last Things About Genuflecting
A few last minute things. First, you don’t genuflect when leaving your pew to take communion or when re-entering your pew after communion – only when you’re leaving or entering the church. Second, if you’re really struggling with genuflection consider buying mechanical support. Here is a popular option available on Amazon. And finally, once you’ve mastered genuflection, lend a helping hand to the new converts out there. Offer them support and encouragement. You should be able to spot them by their wobbly genuflection or because they are holding on to the pew.