Before the gospel is read

[Raijjin]

Hi im a new catholic. I was raised in a protestant church so some of the part of mass are foreign to me. I was wondering if someone could tell me what the thing everyone does before the gospel is read is called and what it means. Everyone touches their forehead then lips then chest.

thx

 

[tundramom]

Not sure what it’s called, but a cross is made signifying “may the Lord be in our thoughts, our speech, and in our hearts”.

Steph

 

[laszlo]

When I was child we said (silently) : Let us receive it in our minds (cross the forehead), announce it with our lips (cross the lips) and keep in our hearts (crossing the breast).

 

[Elizium23]

From the General Instructions on the Roman Missal:
GIRM:

1. 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). The priest incenses the book, if incense is used (cf. below, nos. 276-277). Then he proclaims the Gospel and at the end says the acclamation Verbum Domini (The gospel of the Lord), to which all respond, Laus tibi, Christe (Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ). The priest kisses the book, saying quietly, Per evangelica dicta (May the words of the gospel).

 

[Barbkw]

It is a silent prayer:

Touching the forehead, lips and heart say:

“May this story of our Lord’s life, death and Resurrection
stay on our mind,
on our lips that we may be quick to share with others
and may it be on our hearts
to burn with the Holy Zeal.”

 

[tinkerbell81]

My grandfather always does this in church

and also before we go on a trip

seems less and less people are doing this.

I am going to start!

 

[WMM]

Hi im a new catholic. I was raised in a protestant church so some of the part of mass are foreign to me. I was wondering if someone could tell me what the thing everyone does before the gospel is read is called and what it means. Everyone touches their forehead then lips then chest.

thx

May Jesus be in my thoughts (+), on my lips (+) and in my heart (+) that I may be worthy to receive [or proclaim, as the case may be] the Gospel.

 

[Spencerian]

Hi im a new catholic. I was raised in a protestant church so some of the part of mass are foreign to me. I was wondering if someone could tell me what the thing everyone does before the gospel is read is called and what it means. Everyone touches their forehead then lips then chest.

thx

Looks like you’ve gotten quite a lot of answers!

And for all of us on CAF, welcome home! :clapping:

 

[thomas_jd]

Hi im a new catholic. I was raised in a protestant church so some of the part of mass are foreign to me. I was wondering if someone could tell me what the thing everyone does before the gospel is read is called and what it means. Everyone touches their forehead then lips then chest.

thx

This is the “little sign of the Cross” dating back to the early Church.

In the name of the Father (with thumb make a small cross on your forehead.)
In the name of the Son ( ‘’ "’ ; . Lips)
In the name of the Holy Spirit (’’ “” “” over your heart)

A PRAYER BY ITSELF.

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[ESMDHokie77]

dang… I’m a cradle Catholic and now I know what this means… Thanks CAF.

Peace,
Phil