Benediction

[jailbelle]

During Benediction when the priest holds the Monstrance to the north, south, east, and then to the west, what should the congregation be doing? Do we make the Sign of the Cross slowly or do something else?

 

[benedictgal]

During Benediction when the priest holds the Monstrance to the north, south, east, and then to the west, what should the congregation be doing? Do we make the Sign of the Cross slowly or do something else?

He’s not moving it in the direction of a compass, my friend. He is making the sign of the cross. In other words, he is blessing us with Jesus. We make the sign of the cross. Hope this helps you.

 

[jailbelle]

Thanks, I thought Jesus through the priest was blessing the four corners of the earth.

 

[mommyof4]

Thanks, I thought Jesus through the priest was blessing the four corners of the earth.

I like that idea! Why can’t it be both? But yes, the proper thing to do is to cross ourselves at this moment, too.

 

[puzzleannie]

in my childhood, possibly because we often went to ethnic parishes with some more Eastern usages, the custom was to make a triple sign of the cross during Benediction. Since Benediction has become more common recently (after being nearly ignored in my area for years) I now observe people simply making the sign of the cross once, others do nothing except bow reverently.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Thanks, I thought Jesus through the priest was blessing the four corners of the earth.

In the Byzantine Churches, on the Feast of the Holy Cross on 14 September, there is its Elevation (properly done during Matins) with blessing the 4 points of the compass.