Crossing thrice before the Gospel reading

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This probably sounds silly, but I struggle to cross myself with my thumb just before the Gospel reading. I can’t seem to nail it. It seems rushed to it quickly cross yourself three times before the Gospel reading is read.
 
As one makes a small cross on their forehead, lips, and their heart, they can say (as I was taught)…May the Lord’s words always be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart.
 
I remember struggling with this when I was a student in Catholic school. My family didn’t attend Church regularly. After some practice eventually I got it 😛
 
Slow down. Do it in a controlled, deliberate manner. It does not matter if the Gospel has started. Better to do this purposefully than to rush it.

Interestingly, this practice stems from the early church era and was initially only done by the bishop or priest about to proclaim the Gospel.

But, over time, the laity spontaneously adopted this gesture. A similar dynamic is at work when the laity mimic the priest’s orans posture at mass during the Our Father. That doesn’t bother me.

What I find puzzling is that most celebrants offer the sign of peace at the altar, hear “and with your spirit” from the people and then leave the altar to offer the sign of peace again to those nearby. That seems quite redundant and leave one to wonder if the celebrant really understands that part of the liturgy.
 
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Thanks for the advice. I will practice before Mass. And take my time when the time comes during Mass.
 
I don’t know if your Gospel reader is rushing through it, but like the others said, slow down and take your time. The three crosses are a little prayer all their own. Our deacons do this part of the liturgy quite slowly and deliberately, and I thought I was slow. Deacon says “The Gospel of the Lord”…we respond…and THEN he crosss himself slowly before reading. So perhaps it’s being rushed at your church? But no matter…just take a breath and you’ll be fine. The intentions behind the motions are what matter, so don’t make the motions without giving thought to why you cross yourself .
 
I wonder why we no longer seem to use the word thrice in casual conversation.
 
JackMcCoy said:
This probably sounds silly, but I struggle to cross myself with my thumb just before the Gospel reading. I can’t seem to nail it. It seems rushed to it quickly cross yourself three times before the Gospel reading is read.
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I know they really seem to whip through it like a jackrabbit that’s been juicing.

I’ve gotten faster at it through.
 
Use your thumb and pinkie finger on your right hand to make the cross on your forehead and lips at the same time, while simultaneously using your left hand to cross your heart. 3-for-1 deal.
 
I find thrice is best used in conversation if you really trrrrrill your r’s.

I have only just got the hang of this gesture, and I’ve been attending weekend Masses for around three or four years now. I think once I realized I didn’t have to do it in exact unison with everyone else, things went much better. And obviously carefully thinking about the interior prayer that goes with it helps.
 
JackMcCoy said:
This probably sounds silly, but I struggle to cross myself with my thumb just before the Gospel reading. I can’t seem to nail it. It seems rushed to it quickly cross yourself three times before the Gospel reading is read.
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It’s just timing. You actually don’t need to start crossing yourself just as you mumble “Glory to you O Lord.” You can begin the action of crossing your forehead just as the priest or deacon begins “A reading from the Holy Gospel…” If you do this, you won’t even be saying anything by the time your thumb hits your lips.

It’s perfectly fine to say “Glory to you O Lord” well after the whole action is done.
 
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Thanks. I will take my time and get it done at the next Mass. 🙏
 
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