Weekday Mass Gestures of others?

[dizzy_dave]

I notice during weekday Mass several of the "older " people make gestures, etc. For example when the priest says “peace be with you” those people make a forward motion like they are giving their peace to the priest and during the nicene creed (Sunday) about halfway through the creed some people bow there heads for a while, and at consecration when the priest holds up the host several make the sign of the cross and same with the precious blood. Why do some do these (mostly older folks) but most do not? Should I be doing this? I recently got re-interested in my faith and I want to do things right, I know I should be paying more attention to the alter but I notice these things too and just wonder why?

 

[mercygate]

There is quite a lot of “etiquette” that may go on during prayers of the Mass.

That bow halfway through the Creed is at the part called the “Incarnatus” – “by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man.” The bow should be a profound one (deeply from the waist). It is directed in your missal. The question is not why do people do that but rather why so many do not.

There are other ritual gestures, such as touching one’s breast during the confiteor at the words “through my fault” or at each recitation of the words, “Lamb of God . . .” See if iyou can think of why someone would make the sign of the cross at the elevation of the consecrated Host and of the Precious Blood. Many people say, “My Lord and my God” at those times.

I have seen the gesture you describe as “giving the peace” at the words “And also with you” after the Priest says, “The peace of the Lord be always with you,” but only in a parish with a largely Hispanic population in East Harlem. My experience is limited.

Well trained folk of the old school (even if they are young) will bow the head slightly (almost imperceptibly) when they say the Name of Jesus. They will also bow at the words, “Holy, holy, holy.” I could go on but it’s late. One can pray with one’s whole body, and it really does not attract attention.

 

[Toni]

mercygate:

There is quite a lot of “etiquette” that may go on during prayers of the Mass.
Well trained folk of the old school (even if they are young) will bow the head slightly (almost imperceptibly) when they say the Name of Jesus. They will also bow at the words, “Holy, holy, holy.” I could go on but it’s late. One can pray with one’s whole body, and it really does not attract attention.

We were taught to always bow our head whenever we spoke or heard the name of Jesus.
One can pray with one’s whole body, but you should not be so obvious that you distract other peoples Mass.
I really don’t mind the older people as much as the flying hands throughout the Mass, every time the priest says The Lord Be with you. I am still working on tuning these people out of my Mass.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

dizzy_dave:

IShould I be doing this? I recently got re-interested in my faith and I want to do things right, I know I should be paying more attention to the alter but I notice these things too and just wonder why?

" For example when the priest says “peace be with you” those people make a forward motion like they are giving their peace to the priest…"

I do bow slightly towards the priest in both places in the Mass. I do this to recognize the priest acting in the person of Christ.

“during the nicene creed (Sunday) about halfway through the creed some people bow there heads for a while,”

I do this because the rubrics say everyone is to do this at the words of the Incarnation. Many no longer use a Mass book that has the Order of the Mass in them. They had these instructions printed in red in the middle of the Creed.

“at consecration when the priest holds up the host several make the sign of the cross and same with the precious blood.”

I actually bow, while kneeling, recognizing Christ made present at the words of Consecration.

And yes you should bow during the Creed since it is required the other actions are personal devotion and are not required.