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CHNI Forums > Fellowship Area > Did You Know? > Crossing yourself at the Gospel


Crossing yourself at the Gospel
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CajunRick
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 Posted: Sat Apr 28th, 2007 11:27 pm

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If you've ever noticed, the priest or deacon makes the sign of the cross four times with his thumb as he begins the Gospel reading.

First, he crosses the Gospel reading.  Then he crosses his forehead, his lips, and his chest.  Most of the congregation will sign the cross on themselves on the forehead, lips, and chest at the same time, with no idea why they do it.

Ever wonder why?

As the priest/deacon crosses the Gospel, forehead, lips, and chest, he says the following prayer:

"May the holy Gospel (+) be in my mind (+), on my lips (+), and in my heart (+)."

The priest/deacon crosses the Gospel to bless it, then he blesses his forehead (mind), his lips (voice), and his chest (heart).

As we cross ourselves, we should also repeat this prayer.

"May the holy Gospel be in my mind (+ forehead), on my lips (+ lips), and in my heart (+ chest)."

We are asking God to help us to always remember the Gospel message, to proclaim it, and to live it.

We THINK of the Gospel at every moment.

We PROCLAIM the Gospel with every word.

We LIVE the Gospel with every action.

"May the holy Gospel (+) be in my mind (+), on my lips (+), and in my heart (+)."

Praise God!



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Ali
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 Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 09:13 am

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Thanks, Rick, for this explanation.  I had assumed that's what it meant, but had never took time to look it up.

This is another one of those things some people do and some don't.  I would guess about half the congregation does it.  It's not taught in my dd's Catholic school, nor in our parrish CCD classes.  {makes mental note to instruct my kids in it next year}

Ali


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GoFisher
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 Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 06:26 pm

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Cool!  I thought it was "Lord, Guard my mind, my mouth (words) and my heart."  I will try to remember what you wrote at Mass.



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steppenwolf1218
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 Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 10:08 pm

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GoFisher wrote: Cool!  I thought it was "Lord, Guard my mind, my mouth (words) and my heart."  I will try to remember what you wrote at Mass.

What you're thinking of is what the priest or deacon says before he proceeds to the pulpit to read. Usually the priest will say this either for himself if he is reading or will bless the deacon if the deacon is reading.



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steppenwolf1218
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 Posted: Mon Apr 30th, 2007 10:09 pm

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cajunrick wrote: If you've ever noticed, the priest or deacon makes the sign of the cross four times with his thumb as he begins the Gospel reading.

Good post. This is one of those things that we do and few realize why we do it.



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lia
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 Posted: Wed May 2nd, 2007 03:47 am

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cajunrick wrote:
"May the holy Gospel (+) be in my mind (+), on my lips (+), and in my heart (+)."

The priest/deacon crosses the Gospel to bless it, then he blesses his forehead (mind), his lips (voice), and his chest (heart).

We THINK of the Gospel at every moment.

We PROCLAIM the Gospel with every word.

We LIVE the Gospel with every action.

"May the holy Gospel (+) be in my mind (+), on my lips (+), and in my heart (+)."

Praise God!


When the gospel was read I just immitated what the priest was doing. I was already in my 20s and it was during the PREX (Parish Renewal Experience Seminar) that I learned why this was done.  The priest would add, "That I may worthily proclaim the Word of God."  And I being the receiver of the word and may have the opportunity of proclaiming it as well... I made mine as "That I may worthily receive and proclaim the Word of God." 

:)



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TotusTuus
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 Posted: Fri May 4th, 2007 12:43 pm

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There is no rubric or instruction for the Congregation to make the triple cross before the Gospel is proclaimed. The rubric applies to the minister only.  However, the gesture is frequently imitated by the congregation so everyone seems to assume that it is part of the rite (it's not).



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lia
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 Posted: Fri May 4th, 2007 08:09 pm

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Ahh....but still, it's a good practice...even if it's just imitation. Fruitful as well since we all tasked to proclaim the Word, eh? ;)

 



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Man can't b forced 2 accept the truth.He can b drawn toward the truth only by his own nature, that is, by his own freedom w/c commits him 2 search sincerely 4 truth & when he finds it, 2 adhere 2 it both in his conviction & his behavior.-- JP2

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dblake22
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 Posted: Fri Sep 21st, 2007 08:17 pm

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TotusTuus wrote: There is no rubric or instruction for the Congregation to make the triple cross before the Gospel is proclaimed. The rubric applies to the minister only.  However, the gesture is frequently imitated by the congregation so everyone seems to assume that it is part of the rite (it's not).
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal has a different point of view.  Quoting from the GIRM, chapter IV, "The Liturgy of the Word,"

134. At the ambo, the priest opens the book and, with hands joined, says, Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you), and the people respond, Et cum spiritu tuo (And also with you). Then he says, Lectio sancti Evangelii (A reading from the holy gospel), making the sign of the cross with his thumb on the book and on his forehead, mouth, and breast, which everyone else does as well. The people say the acclamation Gloria tibi, Domine (Glory to you, Lord).


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TotusTuus
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 Posted: Wed Sep 26th, 2007 12:38 pm

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Don,

You're correct, it's there clear as day in the GRIM under Mass Without a Deacon.  Funny that under Mass With a Deacon it is omitted:

175. If incense is used, the deacon assists the priest when he puts incense in the thurible during the singing of the Alleluia or other chant. Then he makes a profound bow before the priest and asks for the blessing, saying in a low voice, Iube, domine, benedicere (Father, give me your blessing). The priest blesses him, saying, Dominus sit in corde tuo (The Lord be in your heart). The deacon signs himself with the Sign of the Cross and responds, Amen. Having bowed to the altar, he then takes up the Book of the Gospels which was placed upon it. He proceeds to the ambo, carrying the book slightly elevated. He is preceded by a thurifer, carrying a thurible with smoking incense, and by servers with lighted candles. There the deacon, with hands joined, greets the people, saying, Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you). Then, at the words Lectio sancti Evangelii (A reading from the holy gospel), he signs the book with his thumb and, afterwards, himself on his forehead, mouth, and breast.

 



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