Part 1—The Introductory Rites Year of Renewal in Worship and Prayer Archdiocese of San Francisco

The Sign of the Cross & GreetingThe Sign of the Cross & GreetingThe Sign of the Cross & GreetingThe Sign of the Cross & Greeting People are not like television sets, able to change from one channel to another. Everyone needs actions that assist them from passing from one time to the next. The same is true when we gather to pray. The Introductory Rites, Sign of the Cross, Greeting and Introduction are ways that we transition from being a people gathered to joining together as community, as the Body of Christ.

The Sign of the Cross is a traditional prelude to prayer. This is a self blessing that reminds us of our baptism when we were signed with the cross for the first time. As we gather, it reminds each of us that we are more than a worshipping community; we are first a baptismal community. The greeting and the introduction are more than the simple greetings that one may hear as they are walking down the street. The greeting “signifies the presence of the Lord to the community gathered there (GIRM #50). It calls everyone to recognize and experience the presence and power of the Lord in the community that they form through prayer. Finally, the introduction offers a very brief explanation of the special character of the celebration.

Question of the Week Question of the Week Question of the Week Question of the Week • How does your community help everyone to become united

as “The Body of Christ” when we gather for liturgy?

The sign of the cross is a traditional prelude to prayer. It is also a form of self blessing which calls to mind our baptism. At our baptism, we received the sign of the cross for the first time and became identified as a member of the Body of Christ. Signing with the cross was a gesture that was practiced by members of the early Christian communities but it took many years before the action was incorporated in the liturgical life of the Church. Romano Guardini wrote, “When we cross ourselves, let it be with a real sign of the cross, let us make a large unhurried sign, from forehead to breast, from shoulder to shoulder, consciously feeling how it includes the whole of us….It is the holiest of all signs.”

A greeting extended by the Presider of Liturgy was among the most ancient elements of the introductory rites. There are many scriptural references to the greetings used at Liturgy (Ruth 2:4, Judges 6:12, Galatians 6:18). Initially the greeting was used as an introduction to the Opening Prayer at Mass. The greeting today is more than a common greeting that one may hear on the street. It is a formal announcement and a wish that everyone gathered will experience the presence and power of the Lord in the community that is being formed (GIRM #50).

The introduction is a simple, brief statement which offers focus on the special character of the celebration.

For Discussion For Discussion For Discussion For Discussion • How is the Sign of the Cross made in your community? • What are a few actions that your community may make

to help everyone understand and truly become “the Body of Christ.”

For Faith SharingFor Faith SharingFor Faith SharingFor Faith Sharing • What emotion do you feel when you make the sign of the

cross? • I feel like I am a member of “the Body of Christ” when

…

For your bulletin or newsletter

SPOTLIGHT

on the

*GIRM

“When the Entrance chant is

concluded, the priest stands at

the chair and, together with the

whole gathering, makes the

Sign of the Cross. Then he

signifies the presence of the

Lord to the community

gathered there by means of

the Greeting. By this Greeting

and the people’s response, the

mystery of the Church

gathered together is made

manifest.” *General Instruction

of the Roman Missal, n. 50.

The Sign of the Cross & Greeting

Ritual Study “C”

For ministers and study groups

For further reading: Lawrence J. Johnson, The Mystery of Faith: A Study of the Structural Elements of the Order of the Mass (Revised Edition).

Washington, DC: Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, 1981, 2003. 10-12. Paul Turner, Let us Pray: A Guide to the Rubrics of Sunday Mass. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2006. 45-47.