I find that many here begin their posts by explaining what rite they observe. That should clear up most confusion. I’m glad to see such diversity on these forums, and hope you all feel welcome.
I attend the Novus Ordo, and I do
bow, make the
sign of the cross, and
strike my breast at the appropriate times during the Mass.
- A bow shows deep reverence.
- Striking of the breast is a gesture found in the Scriptures by the penitent, declaring his unworthiness and sinfulness. “Be merciful to me, Oh, God, a sinner.”
- Making the** sign** of the cross is a prayerful gesture as well as a blessing.
We begin the Novus Ordo Mass with a
Sign of the Cross.
Then, begins the penitential rite. During this time, we ask the Lord’s mercy. I
three times gently strike my breast during this prayer imploring Christ’s mercy and acknowledging my sinfulness before Him. (Depending upon which prayer is used, I would do this as we say,
“Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy;” or …*“I have sinned through my own fault…In my thoughts, in my words, In what I have done, and what I have failed to do…” *These words are admissions of sin, asking God’s mercy, and the penitential gesture is to strike one’s breast three times.
Just before the priest or deacon reads the Gospel, we are to
make three tiny crosses: one on our forehead, one on our lips, and one over our heart. May our minds and hearts be open to the Word of God, and may we fearlessly proclaim Him to others!
When we pray the Creed, there is a phrase indicating that Jesus came down from heaven and became man. At this point, all are supposed to
bow. Not only is it found in the rubrics described in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, but it’s also in our missalettes, if we’re following along, reading that prayer! I bow deeply from the waist at this point of the Creed, honoring Our Lord’s incarnation. We show deep reverence for this awesome condescension, that God would become Man!
When the bread and wine are consecrated into the Body and Blood of Our Lord, and when these Sacred Species are elevated for a moment of adoration, I
bow my head and shoulders and
strike my breast also, acknowledging so Great a Sacrament, and my unworthiness, uttering silently words of gratitude, adoration, and supplication.
The rubrics say to
bow in the Communion line before receiving (in the dioceses of the United States). I
kneel to receive, as this posture has been approved by Rome as acceptable for Americans. In fact, being a bit of a rebel, I’ve pretty much always knelt for Communion, except when I was pregnant for twins, and logistically speaking, just couldn’t do it.
At the end of Mass, there is a final blessing,
“May Almighty God bless you in the name of the Father…” At this, we all make the
sign of the cross also.
Other gestures include
genuflecting before entering and upon exiting your pew. We genuflect to the tabernacle, where the Blessed Sacrament is reposed. We also are to
bow to the altar if passing it for some reason during the Mass.
I find it very interesting indeed to watch a well-trained server’s as well as a consciencious celebrant’s gestures! These add greatly to the Mass. Our own gestures add to our participation in each liturgical function.
I hope my simplifying things helps. (Sorry if I left out any gestures, I was just shooting them from the top of my head.)
Pax Christi. <><
