Triple sign of the cross

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I don’t make the Sign of the Cross, in miniature form, with the thumbnail, crossing the forehead, lips and heart, because it seems to me that it is a kind of imitation by the congregation of the actions of the priest, in the same way that some people like to assume the “oremus” position of their arms like the priest. I learned, perhaps years ago reading the Missal, that at the moment of crossing the Gospel book once with his thumb, and then himself with his thumb three times, the priest is saying something like “Cleanse my mind and my lips, O Lord, that I may worthily proclaim Thy Holy Gospel.”
 
tjfitz said:
I don’t make the Sign of the Cross, in miniature form, with the thumbnail, crossing the forehead, lips and heart, because it seems to me that it is a kind of imitation by the congregation of the actions of the priest…
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It’s a gesture made by whoever reads the Gospel, whether priest or deacon. It’s also part of the rubrics for the congregation to make: “Then he says, Lectio sancti Evangelii (A reading from the holy gospel), making the sign of the cross with his thumb on the book and on his forehead, mouth, and breast, which everyone else does as well.” (GIRM 134)
 
Well I’ll be darned. For a time, I began to think maybe I should be making the triple Sign of the Cross with my thumb, and began doing it, then about a week ago, returned to my old ways. This reference now makes me realize I was the only one out of step! Thanks, japhy.
 
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