Lay reader crossed himself before the reading?

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Duesenberg

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One of the lay readers at my parish crossed himself before commencing with the reading. I see no problem with it in the least, but I have also never seen it before. Those that claim “nothing can be added to the Mass” – those that get upset at the employment of the orans position by the laity for instance would probably be upset by it.

Does anyone know if this is prohibited within the context of the Mass?
 
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It’s not mentioned in the rubrics at all. Some would say this prohibits; others would say it’s ok. Plenty of folks cross themselves after receiving the Eucharist. There’s nothing written about that, either.
 
Cor_ad_Cor said:
It’s not mentioned in the rubrics at all. Some would say this prohibits; others would say it’s ok. Plenty of folks cross themselves after receiving the Eucharist. There’s nothing written about that, either.
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Agreed. I did see an agitated “coordinator” talking to this reader after Mass. I just rolled by eyes and winked as I walked by. His attempt to stifle a laugh was impressive.
 
One of our song leaders always crosses herself before she sings Shubert’s Ave Maria.
Our readers and cantors always bow or genuflect before entering the sanctuary to proclaim the Word of God.
I always cross myself after receiving Communion.

No. Big. Deal.
 
Duesenberg said:
One of the lay readers at my parish crossed himself before commencing with the reading. I see no problem with it in the least, but I have also never seen it before. Those that claim “nothing can be added to the Mass” – those that get upset at the employment of the orans position by the laity for instance would probably be upset by it.

Does anyone know if this is prohibited within the context of the Mass?
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My friend, I have been reading your various threads and posts recently and, I must say, you seem to have no luck when it comes to a reverent celebration of the Mass. It appears to be quite the heterodox parish. Just my observations!
 
My opinion is that when someone is participating in a ministry, reading, EMHC, etc, they should be following the rubrics as they are written. A reader is supposed to bow to the altar, period.
It does not seem like a big deal, but this is how abuses & illicit behavior snowball.
Mass is not about us, so we should not make it about us.
 
Only before the Ave Maria? Why?

Again, this is how things snowball.

Readers & cantors are supposed to bow to the altar- nothing else.
 
This is the type of thing I wouldn’t even notice unless the reader was making some huge dramatic gesture or stood there in silent prayer for a minute before actually starting to read.
 
Well, Cthompson, you might want to try unstiffening a little. There is nothing at all heterodox about pious gestures. Do you belong to the New Liturgical Movement by any chance?

JohnB
 
No, there is nothing wrong with it. As long as no one is proscribing the action, it is not considered “adding to” the rubrics, at least that is what Cardinal Arinze said a few years ago. If there is any question, ask your priest. I am sure he could use the levity.
 
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The Ave Maria is a prayer set to music. It is absolutely normal to cross oneself before praying.
 
Mary_Ellen said:
Our readers and cantors always bow or genuflect before entering the sanctuary to proclaim the Word of God.
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The word of God.

The “Word of God” = Jesus Christ. The “word of God” = Sacred Scripture.
 
Cthompson said:
My friend, I have been reading your various threads and posts recently and, I must say, you seem to have no luck when it comes to a reverent celebration of the Mass. It appears to be quite the heterodox parish. Just my observations!
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We have our problems, that’s for certain, but I don’t think a reader crossing themselves before reading is in any way “heterodox.”
 
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