The Thrice-Beaten Breast

[hatcheteer]

At Mass, I will often see my father, at the “Domine, non sum dignys” strike his chest three times. I’ve also observed other older members of the congregation doing so. I just thought about thus and my dad’s out of town, so I was wondering if anyone could tell me what this orginates from.

 

[Sanctus]

From The Catholic Encyclopedia

Striking of the breast as a liturgical act is prescribed in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass during the Confiteor at the phrase “Through my fault” (three times), at the Nobis Quoque Peccatoribus (once), at the Agnus Dei (three times), and at the Domine, Non Sum Dignus (three times). With bowed head, except at the Nobis Quoque Peccatoribus, moderately and without noise, the celebrant strikes his breast with the right hand, the fingers being held closely together and curved or fully extended, as the rubrics are silent on this point; after the consecration, however, with the last three fingers only, since the thumb and index finger, which are joined, must not come in contact with the chasuble. At the Agnus Dei in requiem Masses the striking of the breast is omitted, to show that the celebrant is thinking of the departed more than of himself. The faithful are accustomed to this practice as well as the priest.

The early Christians were familiar with the practice, as St. Augustine and St. Jerome testify. “No sooner have you heard the word ‘Confiteor’”, says the former, “than you strike your breast. What does this mean except that you wish to bring to light what is concealed in the breast, and by this act to cleanse your hidden sins?” (Sermo de verbis Domini, 13). We strike our breast", declares St. Jerome, “because the breast is the seat of evil thoughts: we wish to dispel these thoughts, we wish to purify our hearts” (In Ezechiel, c. xviii). A warrant for these statements is found in the Psalmist: A contrite and humbled heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise (Psalm 1:19). The petitioner at the Throne of Mercy would chasten his heart and offer it as a sacrifice to God who healeth the broken of heart and bindeth up their wounds (Ps. cxlvi, 3). The ancient Christians were accustomed to strike the breast when they heard mention made or sensual sins; at the “Forgive us our trespasses” of the Pater Noster; and in detestation of the crime of the Jews, at the words of the Gospel, “Thou hast a devil”, applied to Christ.

 

[hatcheteer]

Thank you, very helpful.

 

[kleary]

hatcheteer:

At Mass, I will often see my father, at the “Domine, non sum dignys” strike his chest three times. I’ve also observed other older members of the congregation doing so. I just thought about thus and my dad’s out of town, so I was wondering if anyone could tell me what this orginates from.

In the Tridentine Mass we all say the “Domine non sum dignus” THREE TIMES and with each time we strike our breast. That is where the practice originated, from the Ancient Roman Liturgy.

In the Novus Ordo that prayer is done once and there is no striking of the breast I believe.

Ken

 

[AJV]

kleary:

In the Tridentine Mass we all say the “Domine non sum dignus” THREE TIMES and with each time we strike our breast. That is where the practice originated, from the Ancient Roman Liturgy.

In the Novus Ordo that prayer is done once and there is no striking of the breast I believe.

Ken

There is, but few people know/do it.

 

[JW10631]

The English translation of the Novus Ordo is the problem here.

In Spanish, there is the “por mi culpa, pir mi culpa, por mi gran culpa” (for my fault, for my fault, for my most grievous fault) and those who are aware strike (softly) their breasts. The good people who translated the Paul VI Missal into English dropped it.

 

[Lucania]

AJV:

There is, but few people know/do it.

Most everyone at my Church strike our breast once at that time. At my previous Church, hardly anyone did it even though the Misselette clearly instructed us to do so. The same goes for the Creed when we are to bow during the phrase “And by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became Man.” Go figure.

 

[Brendan]

kleary:

In the Tridentine Mass we all say the “Domine non sum dignus” THREE TIMES and with each time we strike our breast. That is where the practice originated, from the Ancient Roman Liturgy.

In the Novus Ordo that prayer is done once and there is no striking of the breast I believe.

Ken

It still is part of the Novus Ordo as well. The Confiteor in the normative Latin N.O. Mass is identical to the old.

The problem comes in with the English translation

Here is some stuff from the USCCB website

But there are other gestures that intensify our prayer at Mass. During the Confiteor the action of striking our breasts at the words *through my own fault * can strengthen my awareness that my sin is my fault.

usccb.org/liturgy/girm/bul3.shtml

And “Curt Jester” has more on it too

splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/archives/003990.php

 

[johnnykins]

Brendan:

It still is part of the Novus Ordo as well. The Confiteor in the normative Latin N.O. Mass is identical to the old.=QUOTE]

It’s not identical in total, though very similar. The use of “mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa” is identical.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

johnnykins:

Brendan:

It still is part of the Novus Ordo as well. The Confiteor in the normative Latin N.O. Mass is identical to the old.=QUOTE]

It’s not identical in total, though very similar. The use of “mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa” is identical.

Yes, the Pian Confiteor references not only the BVM but also St. Michael the Archangel, St. John the Baptist, and the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. It is also separate for the priest and congregation, so that the priest calls his brethren to witness, and the congregation calls upon him as father.