CCW Episode 5 - Liturgical Gestures

'Liturgical movement' is a very, very misunderstood term in the Catholic Church. What is meant by this 'movement' is the array of gestures and motions made by the faithful during authentic Catholic liturgies.

Many cite the 'spirit of Vatican II' as allowing for such things as liturgical dancing, interpretive dance homilies, etc., but don't understand that the liturgy of the Roman Rite does not have provisions for this particular kind of movement.

Rather, authentic liturgical movement is more subtle—typically smaller gestures on the part of the faithful which instill in the faithful the humility and faith they celebrate in the liturgy. Take, for example, the movement of a genuflection. A Catholic will bend his right knee and bow his head down to reverence the Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharist) that is present upon entering a Catholic Church.

Another example is the Sign of the Cross: A Catholic will begin and end prayer by signing himself—moving his arm in a certain way—with the cross, which is the humble sign of Jesus' death. A final example is the profound bow made during the mention of the Incarnation (during the communal recitation of the Nicene Creed), and just before the reception of Holy Communion. This sign, similar to genuflection, represents our humility before the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, and upon mention of his Incarnation—when he became one of us to die for us and restore our dignity!

Liturgical movement, in its full and true sense, is essential to the Liturgy. Let's make sure we use movement correctly, so as to create a fitting disposition before the Lord!