Striking one's Breast--part of the rubrics?

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

On occasion during the Mass I will see the laity strike their breasts during certain prayers (Lamb of God, the Our Father).

Is this permissible? Is it part of the rubrics of the Mass? If so, are all required to do this?

OK–the OP asked about rubrics & “required”
From the Catholic dictionary.

rubrics
(Latin: rubrica, red earth used by carpenters as chalk to mark wood; red titles of law announcements)

Directive precepts or liturgical prescriptions found in the Missal and the Ritual to **guide the priest **in the execution of sacred rites, saying Mass, administering the Sacraments, etc.; so called because they are printed in red. Some are obligatory and bind under pain of sin; others are merely directive and do not bind.

Rubrics are for the priest, and it seems that not even all the directions to the Priest are binding.

As to gestures, the GIRM states

1. The gestures and posture of the priest, the deacon, and the ministers, as well as those of the people, ought to contribute to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, so that the true and full meaning of the different parts of the celebration is evident and that the participation of all is fostered.52 Therefore, attention should be paid to what is determined by this General Instruction and the traditional practice of the Roman Rite and to what serves the common spiritual good of the People of God, rather than private inclination or arbitrary choice.

A common posture, to be observed by all participants, is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered for the Sacred Liturgy: it both expresses and fosters the intention and spiritual attitude of the participants.

There are very few specific instructions for the congregation.

I have never heard any instruction to strike the breast, and even though the instruction to bow at the mention of the incarnation during the creed was emphasized in RS, it is still not anywhere near universal. Certainly it is permitted and even suggested to strike the breast during the creed, but definitely not part of the rubrics or required. (The Agnus Dei and Lord’s Prayer are not even mentioned)

Lux

 

[Joannm]

OK–
I have never heard any instruction to strike the breast, and even though the instruction to bow at the mention of the incarnation during the creed was emphasized in RS, it is still not anywhere near universal. Certainly it is permitted and even suggested to strike the breast during the creed, but definitely not part of the rubrics or required. (The Agnus Dei and Lord’s Prayer are not even mentioned)

Lux

There are no instructions to strike your breast during the Creed, It is during the Confetior that it is mentioned.

 

[marleelynn]

The striking of the breast is called for in the rubrics for all. I believe in one of the Eucharistic prayers it is asked of the priest only.

In the Eucahristic Prayer I, my associate pastor strikes is breast at the line “Though we are sinners”. He also strikes is breast during the Confeitor at the line “through my own fault”

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

OK–the OP asked about rubrics & “required”
From the Catholic dictionary.

Rubrics are for the priest, and it seems that not even all the directions to the Priest are binding.

As to gestures, the GIRM states

There are very few specific instructions for the congregation.

I have never heard any instruction to strike the breast, and even though the instruction to bow at the mention of the incarnation during the creed was emphasized in RS, it is still not anywhere near universal. Certainly it is permitted and even suggested to strike the breast during the creed, but definitely not part of the rubrics or required. (The Agnus Dei and Lord’s Prayer are not even mentioned)

Lux

correction
There are very few specific instructions for the congregation.

I have never heard any instruction to strike the breast, and even though the instruction to bow at the mention of the incarnation during the creed was emphasized in RS, it is still not anywhere near universal. Certainly it is permitted and even suggested to strike the breast during the confetior, but definitely not part of the rubrics or required. (The Agnus Dei and Lord’s Prayer are not even mentioned)

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

The striking of the breast during the “My fault” is a required action of the congreagation.

usccb.org/liturgy/girm/bul3.shtml

And from the 2002 Roman Missal itself:

Penitential Rite

As far as striking the breast during the Eucharistic prayer, that is something that the priest and any concelebrants do, not the congregation.

The new Missal that the US Bishops approved has the same 3 breast strikes that the Latin text has ( at “my fault, my fauly, my grevious fault”. So the one single breast strike will change to same 3 that the rest of the Catholic world is doing.

And what we are supposed to do is to follow the Instructions given to us by Rome and the bishops, not simply do whatever the majority of the people present vote on.

again–the op asked about rubrics (which are instructions for the priest, not the congregation). and as I said if not all rubrics for the Priest are binding, how can you say that directives for the congregation are?

Lux

 

[japhy]

Rubrics are for the priest, and it seems that not even all the directions to the Priest are binding.

So if it’s in the Roman Missal but not in the GIRM, it’s not for the laity? I think that’s a tendentious claim. The Missal makes it clear (with the GIRM) that the entire congregation carries out the Penitential Act, and the Missal says “striking their breast, THEY say…” That THEY refers to the whole congregation, so “striking their breast” does as well. If it were reserved to the celebrant or the ministers, it would say so.

I have never heard any instruction to strike the breast, and even though the instruction to bow at the mention of the incarnation during the creed was emphasized in RS, it is still not anywhere near universal.

Who cares if it’s not universal yet? Does that mean it shouldn’t be done or even that it shouldn’t be taught to the faithful? The striking of the breast and the profound bow during the Creed, the bow of the head at the invocation of the Three Divine Persons, at the name of Jesus, and at the name of Mary or the saint(s) of the day – these are part of our active participation in the Mass. Isn’t that supposed to be promoted rather than ignored and then whittled away?

 

[japhy]

if not all rubrics for the Priest are binding, how can you say that directives for the congregation are?

I don’t like the direction this is heading. Are we going to try and determine which rubrics aren’t binding on a priest, and which directives aren’t binding on the congregation? I don’t see how that will help enhance participation in the Mass.

 

[AJV]

again–the op asked about rubrics (which are instructions for the priest, not the congregation). and as I said if not all rubrics for the Priest are binding, how can you say that directives for the congregation are?

Lux

Rubrics are not instructions for the priest alone (although the majority of rubrics concern the priest) but instructions on the proper carrying out of ritual texts. From their very wording, one can deduce this, as well as whom they are directed to. When the rubrics for the priest are optional, then this is indicated by rubric for e.g. in Latin the words “pro opportunitate”, “expedit”, “potest” and so forth, or in English “may”, “desirable”, “recommended”. The fact that a number of priests may not follow the rubrics does not excuse them from doing so, neither does it excuse the congregation. The sacramentary is clear that this rubric does affect the congregation

After the silence…**all **say: “I confess…my own fault” **They **strike **their **breast “in my thoughts…”

The same goes for the Nicene Creed

“…he came down from heaven” **All **bow during these two lines “by the power…”

 

[Brendan]

Rubrics are not instructions for the priest alone (although the majority of rubrics concern the priest) but instructions on the proper carrying out of ritual texts. From their very wording, one can deduce this, as well as whom they are directed to. When the rubrics for the priest are optional, then this is indicated by rubric for e.g. in Latin the words “pro opportunitate”, “expedit”, “potest” and so forth, or in English “may”, “desirable”, “recommended”. The fact that a number of priests may not follow the rubrics does not excuse them from doing os, neither does it excuse the congregation. The sacramentary is clear that this rubric does affect the congregation

"After the silence…**all **say: “I confess…my own fault” **They **strike **their **breast “in my thoughts…”

The same goes for the Nicene Creed

“…he came down from heaven” **All **bow during these two lines “by the power…”

Thanks AJV

Lux, the rubrics in the Missal that are optional for the priest are noted as being optional ( generally by the word “May” in the English translations. The ones that are not so noted are mandatory.

The priest does not get to decide for themselves what actions are mandatory and which are not, and neither do we.
’
This is mandatory.

 

[Provigil]

On occasion during the Mass I will see the laity strike their breasts during certain prayers (Lamb of God, the Our Father).

Is this permissible? Is it part of the rubrics of the Mass? If so, are all required to do this?

 

[japhy]

When the rubrics for the priest are optional, then this is indicated by rubric for e.g. in Latin the words “pro opportunitate”, “expedit”, “potest” and so forth, or in English “may”, “desirable”, “recommended”.

Several months ago, I started doing a word-study of the Latin GIRM, to see when it used “can” language, when it used “must” language, and when it used the “subjunctive jussive” (e.g. “there is to be” or “let there be”).

(I had free time.)

 

[japhy]

I thought the viewers would enjoy this message of consolation:

While I thank you for the message, I don’t think this thread is the appropriate place for it, and you should provide the attribution for the quote.

“Healing Life’s Hurts” (pp. 76-77), by Dennis Linn and Matthew Linn.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Thanks AJV

Lux, the rubrics in the Missal that are optional for the priest are noted as being optional ( generally by the word “May” in the English translations. The ones that are not so noted are mandatory.

The priest does not get to decide for themselves what actions are mandatory and which are not, and neither do we.
’
This is mandatory.

Hi again,

I gave you the definition from the Catholic dictionary, and I will use that rather than your definition. RS does not even mention these actions, so omitting them is not even a minor abuse. I really do not understand this rigidity on a gesture by so many who choose to be absolved from a specified norm of posture for Holy Communion.

Lux

 

[japhy]

I gave you the definition from the Catholic dictionary, and I will use that rather than your definition.

So how are you determining which rubrics are mandatory and which aren’t? The definition you provided doesn’t tell us.

Why is the congregation expected to say the Confiteor (as the rubric in the Missal directs them to) but not expected to make the liturgical gesture, striking the breast, that is part of this prayer and is also mentioned in the rubrics?

The Missal describes Form A of the Penitential Act as follows:
4. Deinde sequitur actus paenitentialis ad quem sacerdos fideles invitat, dicens:

Fratres, agnoscámus peccáta nostra, ut apti simus ad sacra mystéria celebránda.

Fit brevis pausa silentii. Postea omnes simul formulam confessionis generalis perficiunt:

Confíteor Deo omnipoténti et vobis, fratres, quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo, ópere et omissióne: et, percutientes sibi pectus, dicunt: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa. Deinde prosequuntur: Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, omnes Angelos et Sanctos, et vos, fratres, oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum.

Sequitur absolutio sacerdotis: Misereátur nostri omnípotens Deus et, dimissís peccátis nostris, perdúcat nos ad vitam aetérnam.
All carry out this general confession, and omnes (all) is the implicit subject of the verb dicunt (third person plural) and prosequuntur (third-person plural). It follows, simply and logically, that the expression percutientes sibi pectus means “(all) striking their breast” rather than “(the priest) striking his breast” or “(the ministers) striking their breast”.

Are you saying that if something appears in the rubrics of the Missal but not in the GIRM… it is not to be heeded by the congregation? Case in point: the GIRM mentions the possibility for sprinkling the congregation with Holy Water (cf. GIRM 51) but says nothing about it. The rubrics for this rite are found in the Missal. What is the congregation to do during this liturgical black hole?

RS does not even mention these actions, so omitting them is not even a minor abuse.

That does not follow. RS did not present itself as an exhaustive guide to abuses – minor and major – in the liturgy. It does mention gestures and rubrics in general:
For promoting and elucidating active participation, the recent renewal of the liturgical books according to the mind of the Council fostered acclamations of the people, responses, psalmody, antiphons, and canticles, as well as actions or movements and gestures, and called for sacred silence to be maintained at the proper times, while providing rubrics for the parts of the faithful as well. (RS 39)

I really do not understand this rigidity on a gesture by so many who choose to be absolved from a specified norm of posture for Holy Communion.

The “absolving” from the posture for Holy Communion has been addressed by the Church: you may stand or kneel for Communion, and the decision to make standing the norm was accompanied by an allowance for kneeling to continue. RS makes it clear that standing or kneeling to receive Holy Communion is always permitted, regardless of a local norm.

 

[Brendan]

Hi again,

I gave you the definition from the Catholic dictionary, and I will use that rather than your definition. RS does not even mention these actions, so omitting them is not even a minor abuse. I really do not understand this rigidity on a gesture by so many who choose to be absolved from a specified norm of posture for Holy Communion.

Lux

Lux, the very word means “Red Law” and are the instructions given by the Church in the Missal for the Liturgy.

Why don’t you ask your pastor what the Red instructions in the liturgy mean and who that particular one applies to.

I would be very interested in hearing his response

 

[Brendan]

Lux,

The Catholic Dictionary you are using seems to be the online ‘wiki’ one @ catholic-forum.com/saints/indexncd.htm. That one is strictly a set of layperson’s definitions.

A scholarly edition of the Catholic Dictionary has been published and I dug up my copy.

And here is the defintion in the Modern Catholic Dictionary

Rubrics – Originally red titles of law announcements. They are the directive precepts or liturgical provisions found in the Missal, including the Sacramentary and the Lectionary. Rubrics are printed in red and either obligatory or merely directive, as the commentary dictate.

Etymology – Latin- Rubrica ,’ red earth’; title of a law written in red, hence a law instruction.

Modern Catholic Dictionary - Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J ©1999

FYI, Fr. Hardon was a professor of Systemtic Theology and a contributor to the Cathechism of the Catholic Church. Since his death in 2000, Pope Benedict has approved his cause for canonization.

New Advent has a whole article on Rubrics here.

newadvent.org/cathen/13216a.htm

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Lux, the very word means “Red Law” and are the instructions given by the Church in the Missal for the Liturgy.

Why don’t you ask your pastor what the Red instructions in the liturgy mean and who that particular one applies to.

I would be very interested in hearing his response

Actually, you probably wouldn’t want to hear his response. When RS was reprobated, he was reluctant to discourage self-intinction (I think he considers this denying Communion), but did say, “Sip, don’t dip”, and said he didn’t know why he said this.

I asked about the bow during the creed, and he said he didn’t want to overload—maybe later. I would not mention striking the breast for fear of his response.

As I said, I can’t understand this nit picking, when the norm for reception of Holy Communion is disregarded. I see it as personal preference, rather than respect for the rubrics.

Lux

 

[Brendan]

Actually, you probably wouldn’t want to hear his response. When RS was reprobated, he was reluctant to discourage self-intinction (I think he considers this denying Communion), but did say, “Sip, don’t dip”, and said he didn’t know why he said this.

I asked about the bow during the creed, and he said he didn’t want to overload—maybe later. I would not mention striking the breast for fear of his response.

So where exactly would one find documentation to support a priest choosing on his own which rubrics he chooses to follow and which ones he doesn’t?

There are several items (both sacerdotal and lay) that ARE matters of personal choice, and either the rubrics, liturgical law, or authentic interpretation from the Vatican has made this clear. I personally have not seen anything to support this as being one.

As I said, I can’t understand this nit picking, when the norm for reception of Holy Communion is disregarded.

I see it as personal preference, rather than respect for the rubrics.

Lux

But the Vatican says that one IS a personal preference, and we have supporting documentation to support that. The other is not.

What documentation do you offer to support your premise that this particular item is a matter of personal choice?

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi again,

You are not understanding my point. There was a letter quoted (sorry—I really didn’t keep the reference) which said the church does not want to be too rigid with the posture of the congregation.

I do strike my breast at the confedior and Agnus Dei, but I certainly do not feel it is required, or those who don’t are our of order. I try to follow the Spirit of community worship, and only use my preferences if it is not disruptive.

Lux

 

[japhy]

When RS was reprobated, promulgated] he was reluctant to discourage self-intinction (I think he considers this denying Communion), but did say, “Sip, don’t dip”…

Reluctant to discourage self-intinction, which wasn’t permitted via the 1975 GIRM anyway.
243c. If communion is given by intinction, care is to be taken that the eucharistic bread is not too thin or too small, but a little thicker than usual so that after being partly dipped into the precious blood it can still easily be given to the communicant.

246b. The communicants approach, make the proper reverence, stand in front of the priest, and hold the communion plate below their chin. The celebrant dips a particle into the chalice and, showing it, says:“The body and blood of Christ.” The communicants respond: “Amen,” receive communion from the priest, and return to their place.

247b. The communicants approach, make the proper reverence, stand in front of the priest, and hold a plate beneath their chin. The priest takes a particle, dips it into the chalice, and, showing it, says: “The body and blood of Christ.” The communicants respond: “Amen,” receive communion from the priest, and return to their place.

I asked about the bow during the creed, and he said he didn’t want to overload—maybe later. I would not mention striking the breast for fear of his response.

“Overload” what? The poor laity? I don’t get it… are the Catholic faithful stupid? Are we unable to stand up AND bow? “Overload”… seriously.