Basic Practices for Mass
Three crosses at the Gospel
Before the Gospel is read at Mass, there is a brief introduction:
The Lord by with you. And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to X.
Glory to You, O Lord.
It is a traditional custom for Catholics to make three small signs of the cross as we prepare to listen to the Gospel proclaimed. With the right thumb, make the cross, on your forehead saying to yourself "May the Word of God be in my mind", a small cross on your lips saying "and on my lips", and a third cross on your heart saying, "and in my heart".
Strike your breast during the Confiteor
Since the new translation of the Roman Missal, it seems as thought priests and deacons are using the first option of the Penitential Rite more frequently. This prayer is called the Confiteor or I confess. During this prayer, we ask God to forgive our offenses which we have committed "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault." As we pray those words, we gently strike our chest three time with our hand folded into a loose fist.
Proper procedure for receiving Holy Communion
All who receive Holy Communion have the option of receiving the consecrated host on the tongue or in the hand. If a person chooses the second option, there is a simple, but important way of doing this.
Before the Gospel is read at Mass, there is a brief introduction:
The Lord by with you. And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to X.
Glory to You, O Lord.
It is a traditional custom for Catholics to make three small signs of the cross as we prepare to listen to the Gospel proclaimed. With the right thumb, make the cross, on your forehead saying to yourself "May the Word of God be in my mind", a small cross on your lips saying "and on my lips", and a third cross on your heart saying, "and in my heart".
Strike your breast during the Confiteor
Since the new translation of the Roman Missal, it seems as thought priests and deacons are using the first option of the Penitential Rite more frequently. This prayer is called the Confiteor or I confess. During this prayer, we ask God to forgive our offenses which we have committed "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault." As we pray those words, we gently strike our chest three time with our hand folded into a loose fist.
Proper procedure for receiving Holy Communion
All who receive Holy Communion have the option of receiving the consecrated host on the tongue or in the hand. If a person chooses the second option, there is a simple, but important way of doing this.
- As the host raised from the ciborium and the priest says "Body of Christ", you
bow your head slightly and then - Place the hand you write with open in front of you about chest high.
- Place the other hand open on top of the first hand. St. Augustine said we are making a throne for the King, Jesus.
- Keep your hand open wide enough that it is easy for the priest to place the consecrated host in the palm of your hand.
- Respond "Amen" and
- Then pick up the host with the hand from underneath and place the host in your
mouth. - Fold your hands and walk to your pew
