Sign of the cross after the Confiteor?

[catholicdude942]

At the start of mass, when the priest forgives us of our sins and we say “I confess to Almighty God and you my brother and sisters…” and then he says “May Almighty God have mercy on us.” Is it appropriate after the priest absolves us of our sins to make the sign of the cross? The pastor at my parish typically will trace the sign of the cross as he forgives us. In which case I would assume we should make the sign but other priests will just forgive us without doing that. So what is the right way? Should we always make the sign of the cross or does it not matter?

Thanks

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear Dude,

There is no requirement that the priest make the sign of the cross. The rubrics are: “The priest says the absolution:” and “The people answer: Amen.” If you want to make the sign of the cross, go for it. Many do. But it is not required.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.