When I was a child I was told that priests are required to bow their heads when at the altar and pronouncing the name of Jesus. I noticed that some did, some didn't but I always did it myself. Nowadays very few priests do so (Vatican II?) but as far as I know the requirement still stands. Anyway I found out, only today, that bowing one's head at the Holy Name (on any occasion and for anyone - laity or priest at Mass or not) provides an indulgence of 30 days (I must have knocked several decades of my 'time' by now as I have done so when saying the Rosary and on hearing the name Jesus at Mass tens of thousands of times). Whoopeee ! Catholic Encylopedia: Urban IV and John XXII are said to have granted an indulgence of thirty days to those who would add the name of Jesus to the Hail Mary or would bend their knees, or at least bow their heads when hearing the Name of Jesus (Alanus, "Psal. Christi et Mariae", i, 13, and iv, 25, 33; Michael ab Insulis, "Quodlibet", v; Colvenerius, "De festo SS. Nominis", x). This statement may be true; yet it was only by the efforts of St. Bernardine that the custom of adding the Name of Jesus to the Ave Maria was spread in Italy, and from there to the Universal Church. But up to the sixteenth century it was still unknown in Belgium (Colven., op. Cit., x), whilst in Bavaria andAustria the faithful still affix to the Ave Maria the words: "Jesus Christus" (ventris tui, Jesus Christus). Sixtus V (2 July, 1587) granted an indulgence of fifty days to the ejaculation: "Praise be to Jesus Christ!" with the answer: "For evermore", or "Amen". In the South ofGermany the peasants salute each other with this pious formula. Sixtus V and Benedict XIII granted an indulgence of fifty days to all as often as they pronounce the Name of Jesus reverently, and a plenary indulgence in the hour of death. These two indulgences wereconfirmed by Clement XIII, 5 Sept., 1759. As often as we invoke the Name of Jesus and Mary ("Jesu!", "Maria!") we may gain anindulgence of 300 days, by decree of Pius X, 10 Oct., 1904. It is also necessary, to gain the papal indulgence in the hour of death, to pronounce at least in mind the Name of Jesus.
Hope, if Mother Angelica finds out about this picture she will rise from her sick bed. I always fid it so natural to bless myself at the name of Jesus. Also to genuflect at the presence of Jesus in the tabernacle. I get annoyed when I see people not doing so because it sows they have no living belief at the presence. Did you ever notice visionaries at apparitions sites how quick they are to fall to their knees when they see Mary? I suppose we should be as quick to show reference at the Name of Jesus.
