J
J.R
Guest
I’ve been doing this all of my life but I have seen some people do it and some not. Should we be blessing ourselves after receiving the Body and Blood of Christ?
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M
moira
Guest
I always bless myself ater receiving Communion. It’s how the nuns taught us to receive. I have taught my children the same and also not to walk back to the pew like they’re taking a stroll around the block. Keep your hands folded and show some reverence because you are now carrying Jesus.
N
NightRider
Guest
I’m not sure why some folks don’t bless themselves after receiving but I have always done so, too–it is automatic. I was also taught this is the proper way to receive. It is the least I can do when I receive Jesus.
A
Annunciata
Guest
J.R.:
Annunciata
I always have and I’m a convert so I didn’t learn it from the nuns…I just always have… I don’t think that it’s wrong if you don’t either.
Annunciata
C
CD4
Guest
J.R.:
I don’t know why anyone would have a problem with this. I do it all time, and see it done a lot.
M
MattG
Guest
J.R.:
In the Diocese of Fort Worth, Tx, a new instruction has been given that has gained wide acceptance. Instead of The Sign of the Cross before reception of Holy Communion, communicants are now asked to indicate respect for and adoration of the Body and Blood of Christ by making a slight bow from the head, neck or waist as able while the person before is receiving. This was a change much easier IMO than the one whether official or not that is having congregants extend their hands at The Lord’s Prayer in imitation of the celebrant.
Another slight bow, during recitation of the phrase of the Gloria that indicates reverent observance of the Incarnation is also new.
Hello, J.R. and all …
In the Diocese of Fort Worth, Tx, a new instruction has been given that has gained wide acceptance. Instead of The Sign of the Cross before reception of Holy Communion, communicants are now asked to indicate respect for and adoration of the Body and Blood of Christ by making a slight bow from the head, neck or waist as able while the person before is receiving. This was a change much easier IMO than the one whether official or not that is having congregants extend their hands at The Lord’s Prayer in imitation of the celebrant.
Another slight bow, during recitation of the phrase of the Gloria that indicates reverent observance of the Incarnation is also new.
B
baltobetsy
Guest
I’ll be the lone dissenting voice. In my first Communion class (early 60’s, Sisters of Mercy), we were not taught to make the Sign of the Cross after Communion, so I’ve never done it. But I can’t see anything wrong with it, unless it’s done carelessly.
Betsy
Betsy
O
otm
Guest
It is not during the Gloria. It is during the Creed.
And as to the sign of the Cross after receiving, I know of nothing in any rubrics of the last 50 years that said anythiing about it. It is a pious practice, not required and not prohibited. And I have never heard of anyone making any negative comments about it. Should? no. Could? yes.
T
Toni
Guest
Was also taught by the nuns, I don’t know any other way other than to kiss the ground and thank God that I could receive but that may look a little odd to some. So I simply make the sign of the cross as a sign of my faith.
M
Mary_Wayne
Guest
When I went to Catholic elementary school, taught by the St. Joseph nuns, I must have been taught it because I do it automatically. To me it is a sign of reverence and that is what Pope John Paul is trying to do…bring a sense of reverence back to the Eucharist.
I intend to teach my students who will be making their First Holy Communion this year, this sign of reverence and hopefully they will continue it throughout their lives.
I see too many people, especially young people who have obviously never learned any sign of reverence, as they walk back to their seat after receiving Communion swinging their arms or their hands in their pockets and looking around for their friends.
If the parents would reinforce this sign of reverence, the children would hopefully follow.
I intend to teach my students who will be making their First Holy Communion this year, this sign of reverence and hopefully they will continue it throughout their lives.
I see too many people, especially young people who have obviously never learned any sign of reverence, as they walk back to their seat after receiving Communion swinging their arms or their hands in their pockets and looking around for their friends.
If the parents would reinforce this sign of reverence, the children would hopefully follow.
D
deogratias
Guest
I do not make the sign of the cross AFTER communion. At that moment we are in a state of perfect grace, I merely bow my head and keep my hands folded in front of me and return to my pew.
After I say my post communion prayers, I bless myself as I do after any prayer.
No sign of reverences is required or necessary after receiving communion.
After I say my post communion prayers, I bless myself as I do after any prayer.
No sign of reverences is required or necessary after receiving communion.
A
ally
Guest
Speaking of nuns…we were taught three things to do after communion:
Code:
1 Make the sign of the cross immediately after receiving.
2 Hold the palms together with the fingers pointing to heaven and the thumbs forming a cross. (just folding the fingers over each other was not considered as respectful) Keep the hands in the prayerful position going to and coming from the altar.
3 The children were taught to cover their faces when they returned to their pews so they would not be distracted during their private prayer time. Adults simply closed their eyes for their private prayer time.
This is a very holy part of the mass for the parishioners so a little extra respect should not be too much to ask for.
L
loyola_rambler
Guest
The Felician’s didn’t teach us to make the sign of the cross after communion, but the lay teachers did. I was in the 5th grade when they implemented it, so that would be roughly 1973-74 school year. The reason for doing it? Because we had just received the ultimate blessing…a personal encounter with Christ.
C
csr
Guest
What a great idea!
Upon it stood the seraphims: the one had six wings, and the other had six wings: with two they covered his face, and with two they covered his feet, and with two they flew. Isaiah 6:2
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