Crossing head, lips, heart

[ShastaRose]

Its’ hard for me to do the making of the cross three times while simultaneously saying, Glory to you, oh Lord. So I say the response and don’t do the little crosses. Is this ok? (I’m a fairly new Catholic, I guess you can tell.)

 

[1Lord1Faith]

If I had to do one or the other, I would choose the tiny cross. Or do one then the other.

 

[starlady]

I always say the response at the same time as everyone else, and then I cross myself right afterward. While crossing myself, I pray silently that the Word of God be in my mind, in my words and in my heart.

My husband, who is Hispanic, does the little crosses and then does the Sign of the Cross two or three times. That is just a custom among some Hispanics. I don’t think most people pay attention whether you do it all at once or one right after another.

 

[JanetF]

I always say the response at the same time as everyone else, and then I cross myself right afterward. While crossing myself, I pray silently that the Word of God be in my mind, in my words and in my heart.

This is what I do too!

 

[ShowersofRoses]

Yes, I wouldn’t hesitate to say the response and then do the crosses. No one is paying attention to you, and honestly it seems that most people are out of synch at my parish when they make the crosses, even though they say the response together. What’s more important is the PRAYER behind the motion like @starlady said. Pray that God’s word would be in your mind, on your lips, and in your heart. It’s one of my favorite moments in the Mass. And saying the prayer to yourself is more important than if you can pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time. Welcome home to the Church!!

 

[MrsAngelala]

If you would like to learn to do both at the same time, a rhythm might be helpful. My mother taught me to time it, “Glory” (cross on forehead) “to you” (cross on lips) “oh Lord” (cross on heart). It is very quick!

 

[Reuben_J]

Oh, don’t worry too much about it. They does not have to be simultaneous. Not everybody can do the acrobatic anyway. Say “Glory to you O Lord”, and make the little crosses on your forehead, lips and heart.

God bless you. And have a blessed mass.

 

[TheLittleLady]

There is nothing wrong with doing this slowly, at your own pace. In fact, deliberate prayers, deliberate actions are proper!

 

[exnihilo]

I think you should do both since we are asked to do both. Just take your time. I tend to be fairly deliberate about the three crosses myself and probably finish after most others. It isn’t a race and we should do things purposefully.

 

[Pup7]

I am so grateful for this thread.

I’m pretty coordinated but I always feel like I fumble with this. I’m relieved to know I’m not the only one.

 

[greenrangerx]

I feel like I start crossing myself pretty early compared to others. I usually start as soon as the deacon says “the Gospel…” That way I’m usually done before saying “glory to you, o Lord.”

 

[Pup7]

I actually do that too - it feels more “right” to me, but then I’d look around and think, hold up, am I doing this wrong?

 

[Irishmom2]

I always say the response at the same time as everyone else, and then I cross myself right afterward. While crossing myself, I pray silently that the Word of God be in my mind, in my words and in my heart.

I do the same thing too. If anyone notices, I just look like I am a little behind. I don’t care, I know why I am doing it.