What gestures do you make during Mass

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constantconvert

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With all the hub-bub about holding hands at the Our Father, etc. I was just curious about what people actually practice. Other than the sign of the cross, the only hand gesture I can find in the GIRM are the three small crosses before the Gospel, so I guess all other gestures are innovations.

The only gesture I’m really attached to is the sign of the cross after general absolution. Even though it’s not prescribed, I don’t see how it could be much of a distraction or disrupt the unity of worship.

At weekday Mass I stand apart, so I don’t hold hands at the Our Father, but on Sunday everyone in my parish does it so I do it too. It just doesn’t seem very charitable to refuse someone’s hand.

Sometimes I do the “and with your spirit” gesture, sometimes I don’t.

How about you?

When other parishoners make innovations in the Mass, as far as hand gestures go, does it bother you? The only guy who really bugs me is this old guy at weekday mass, who makes so many gestures, it’s like he’s a New York City traffic cop :rotfl:I’m sure he means well though. he loves God, and he’s probably holier than I am.
 
I strike my chest each time we say “Domine non sum dignus” (Lord I am not worthy).

I often hold my hands in the prayer position.
 
constantconvert said:
With all the hub-bub about holding hands at the Our Father, etc. I was just curious about what people actually practice. Other than the sign of the cross, the only hand gesture I can find in the GIRM are the three small crosses before the Gospel, so I guess all other gestures are innovations.

The only gesture I’m really attached to is the sign of the cross after general absolution. Even though it’s not prescribed, I don’t see how it could be much of a distraction or disrupt the unity of worship.

At weekday Mass I stand apart, so I don’t hold hands at the Our Father, but on Sunday everyone in my parish does it so I do it too. It just doesn’t seem very charitable to refuse someone’s hand.

Sometimes I do the “and with your spirit” gesture, sometimes I don’t.

How about you?

When other parishoners make innovations in the Mass, as far as hand gestures go, does it bother you? The only guy who really bugs me is this old guy at weekday mass, who makes so many gestures, it’s like he’s a New York City traffic cop :rotfl:I’m sure he means well though. he loves God, and he’s probably holier than I am.
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The rubrics actually call for striking the breast at the mea culpa - “through my fault” in the Confiteor, though it is unclear if it is once or thrice. Without getting into the merits or permission for communion in the hand, I was taught when receiving that way to place the left hand slightly cupped on top of the right - which is what I do when I receive that way. Can’t think of any other hand gestures.

I especially dislike the Vietnam War peace sign (palm to the front with two fingers raised) - which as many, but not all, know if it is reversed is a British sign akin to the middle finger! It’s just plain ------ to make that sign IMHO. Unapproved innovations do bother me …
 
arkwright said:
I was unaware that there was general absolution during the Eucharist . :confused:
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The prayer “May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life” at the end of the penitential rite is an absolution, but it is not the same as sacramental absolution wherein all sins are forgiven. Mortal sins require sacramental confession and are thus not covered by this rite.

-ACEGC
 
johnnykins said:
The rubrics actually call for striking the breast at the mea culpa - “through my fault” in the Confiteor, though it is unclear if it is once or thrice.
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Oh yeah, I strike my chest in the Confiteor 3 times. Can’t remember if it’s in the GIRM though.
 
Sign of the Cross at the begining of Mass.

Beats breast x4 during the Kyrie

Beats breast x3 during the Confiteor.

Sign of the Cross after the Confiteor.

Three little crosses before the Gospel.

Beats breast x3 during Angus Dei

Beats breast x3 during the “Dominum non sum dignus”

Sign of the Cross during the blessing.

Three little crosses before the Last Gospel.

Hands folded or palms together the rest of the time.

Wow, it was fun to mentally re-live the Mass for a minute there. 🙂 Did I forget anything?

What do you all do?
 
Hmm, let me count the ways:)

Sign of the cross at the beginning, Breast strikes during and sign of the cross after if we do the confiteor, Crosses on forehead, lips and breast before the Gospel, Lift hands at the beginning of the preface, breast strike at consecration/elevation of each element, Hold hands at Our Father, or (gasp) use orare posture, Shake hands at sign of peace except if my husband is there - give him a kiss and hug, mostly do and “and with your spirit” gesture - seems polite.
 
Hello there,

I never liked changing positions at all during Mass. I kneel for the most part, with no gestures at all, and stand for the Gospel reading, and the Our Father. Of course this could change in a packed Church when someone is seated directly in front of me, but at daily, and early morning Mass this doesn’t happen.

I would of course prefer to kneel throughout, without any distractions

2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry
 
Steady_Eddy said:
Hello there,

I never liked changing positions at all during Mass. I kneel for the most part, with no gestures at all, and stand for the Gospel reading, and the Our Father. Of course this could change in a packed Church when someone is seated directly in front of me, but at daily, and early morning Mass this doesn’t happen.

2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry
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Do you kneel during the epistle? And are you only referring to a low mass, if you attend the EF?
 
I’m fond of bowing while the Creed is recited from “He came down from Heaven” to “On the Third Day” out of respect for the Incarnation, for Christ’s physical time on earth walking in His human body.

I must admit I stopped striking my breast at “Crucified under Pontius Pilate” when my then-girlfriend (now-wife) thought I was having chest pains.
 
Steady_Eddy said:
Hello there,

I never liked changing positions at all during Mass. I kneel for the most part, with no gestures at all, and stand for the Gospel reading, and the Our Father. Of course this could change in a packed Church when someone is seated directly in front of me, but at daily, and early morning Mass this doesn’t happen.

I would of course prefer to kneel throughout, without any distractions

2 Cor 13:13
Eddy Barry
Click to expand...
Do others in Ireland kneel through out? I would love to kneel during the whole liturgy of the Eucharist, but I fear it would be too distracting for others. Maybe on a weekday mass if I was in the very back…:hmmm:
 
constantconvert said:
Oh yeah, I strike my chest in the Confiteor 3 times. Can’t remember if it’s in the GIRM though.
Click to expand...
There was a whole thread on this a while ago, and a clarification in Notitiae said that the rubrics mean that we should strike our breast only once, but let me tell you: I took a look around during Mass, and found that everyone who did this gesture struck his or her breast three times, and I mean everyone including the clergy, so I decided that since it is not disobedient or contrary to rubrics, that this is a truly organic change in the liturgy that may well inform the next edition of the missal, so now I strike my breast three times.

Since I am in the choir, and I do not use a music stand, I am often holding a hymnal or a notebook with music in it, so that limits my hand gestures. But for much of the time I am empty-handed, so I take a cue from my altar server training and hold my hands joined in front of me. I am not as strict about it as when altar serving, but to me it feels better than hands at my sides, and I feel it is a suitable gesture for laity overall.
 
TrueLight said:
Do you kneel during the epistle? And are you only referring to a low mass, if you attend the EF?
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I have knelt throughout on occasions, but I don’t like being different or drawing attention to myself, so I might sit for the readings. The focus I believe should be upon the Altar, not on all this posturing, and other people. I also like to kneel for the Rosary of course, whether at home or in Church. Kneeling just seems natural to me, it’s the best posture, and if you’re not improving on something why change it?
 
constantconvert said:
With all the hub-bub about holding hands at the Our Father, etc. I was just curious about what people actually practice. Other than the sign of the cross, the only hand gesture I can find in the GIRM are the three small crosses before the Gospel, so I guess all other gestures are innovations.

The only gesture I’m really attached to is the sign of the cross after general absolution. Even though it’s not prescribed, I don’t see how it could be much of a distraction or disrupt the unity of worship.

At weekday Mass I stand apart, so I don’t hold hands at the Our Father, but on Sunday everyone in my parish does it so I do it too. It just doesn’t seem very charitable to refuse someone’s hand.

Sometimes I do the “and with your spirit” gesture, sometimes I don’t.

How about you?

When other parishoners make innovations in the Mass, as far as hand gestures go, does it bother you? The only guy who really bugs me is this old guy at weekday mass, who makes so many gestures, it’s like he’s a New York City traffic cop :rotfl:I’m sure he means well though. he loves God, and he’s probably holier than I am.
Click to expand...
 
I think the GIRM calls for a bow during the Creed at the Incarnation except on Christmas and the Annunciation. In those two instances, a genuflection is required.

I also bow to the crucifix as it passes in procession along with the book of the Gospel and the priest. (However this is before the mass begins and after it ends).
 
Elizium23 said:
There was a whole thread on this a while ago, and a clarification in Notitiae said that the rubrics mean that we should strike our breast only once, but let me tell you: I took a look around during Mass, and found that everyone who did this gesture struck his or her breast three times, and I mean everyone including the clergy, so I decided that since it is not disobedient or contrary to rubrics, that this is a truly organic change in the liturgy that may well inform the next edition of the missal, so now I strike my breast three times.
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This is a really interesting point-- personal innovation vs a more organic change.

Another unrelated point in these innovations is the unity of worship vs following the GIRM. I think it’s kind of a balancing act between wanting to be obedient, but not wanting to offend, distract, or draw attention to yourself. This is why I do not kneel to receive Eucharist.

As for going along with what others do, like the hand holding, unless it’s really a violation of the rubrics, my attitude is “When in Rome…” 😉
 
I nod at the name of Jesus when it is invoked by the priest. That was an early Catholic school teaching that still holds for me. I’ve seen people make a gesture of the three small crosses not only at the gospel reading but earlier in the mass. Not as many people do it at that time though. Maybe someone else remembers that and can post it.
Is there a technical name for that gesture?
 
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