These actions both belong to the general category of "Reverences." As a general rule, the High Altar with its Cross is reverenced both in and out of service time. Out of service time, as when setting up for a service or clearing up afterwards, bows are made with an inclination of the head approaching, leaving, or passing before the center of the High Altar. If the Blessed Sacrament is present, though, one should genuflect. How does one know if the Blessed Sacrament is present? Look for the light. When the Sacrament is reserved in a Tabernacle (properly located in the center of the reredos directly above the mensa of the altar) or in an Aumbry (built into the wall to the side of the altar) a light should burn at all times. These lights may be red or white, but white is generally preferred.

The bow referred to above is a simple bow. The simple bow is a bending of the head only to the cross and altar (when the Blessed Sacrament is not there) and is appropriate at several other times as well. These include: the mention of the Blessed Trinity (not individual Persons), at the name of Jesus; at certain passages in the liturgy, at the name of Mary and of the name of the saint of the day when the name is mentioned in prayer.

To genuflect, one first stands upright facing the person or object to which the genuflexion is to be made; then without bending the head or body, touch the ground with the right knee at the place where the foot was and rise upright at once. Genuflexion is proper not only when passing before the Altar when the Blessed Sacrament is present (such as before entering or leaving one's pew) but also in the Creed and at the Last Gospel. This genuflexion should be made slowly so the knee is on the ground at the words "And was made Man," in the Creed or in the Last Gospel at "And the Word was made flesh."