In Catholic tradition, gestures of reverence are essential to showing respect and adoration, particularly in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. One of the most profound and ancient postures is the act of genuflection, which has deep spiritual significance. It is an expression of faith.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan points out genuflecting is the first posture we take in coming to Church. “When we come into church, we look for the tabernacle, where the real presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is reposed, and we genuflect…We go down on one knee. We genuflect. Why? That’s the ancient sign of adoration, the ancient sign of esteem, the ancient sign of worship.”
Liturgical norms point out that a genuflection is reserved for the most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the holy cross on Good Friday. Those who cannot genuflect for reasons of physical limitations, should not omit a sign of adoration but make a profound bow.