Year of Renewal in Worship and Prayer Part 1—The Introductory Rites Archdiocese of San Francisco Ritual Study “C”

The Sign of the Cross & Greeting

For your bulletin or newsletter For ministers and study groups

The Sign of the Cross & Greeting The sign of the cross is a traditional prelude to prayer. People are not like television sets, able to change from It is also a form of self which calls to mind our one channel to another. Everyone needs actions that . At our baptism, we received the sign of the assist them from passing from one time to the next. The cross for the first time and became identified as a same is true when we gather to pray. The Introductory member of the . Signing with the cross Rites, Sign of the Cross, Greeting and Introduction are was a that was practiced by members of the ways that we transition from being a people gathered to early Christian communities but it took many years joining together as community, as the Body of Christ. before the action was incorporated in the liturgical life of the Church. Romano Guardini wrote, “When we The Sign of the SPOTLIGHT cross ourselves, let it be with a real sign of the cross, let Cross is a traditional us make a large unhurried sign, from forehead to prelude to prayer. on the breast, from shoulder to shoulder, consciously feeling This is a self blessing *GIRM how it includes the whole of us….It is the holiest of all that reminds us of signs.” our baptism when “When the Entrance chant is A greeting extended by the Presider of Liturgy was we were signed with concluded, the stands at among the most ancient elements of the introductory the cross for the first the chair and, together with the rites. There are many scriptural references to the time. As we gather, whole gathering, makes the it reminds each of us Sign of the Cross. Then he greetings used at Liturgy (Ruth 2:4, Judges 6:12, that we are more signifies the presence of the Galatians 6:18). Initially the greeting was used as an than a worshipping Lord to the community introduction to the Opening Prayer at . The community; we are gathered there by means of greeting today is more than a common greeting that first a baptismal the Greeting. By this Greeting one may hear on the street. It is a formal community. The and the people’s response, the announcement and a wish that everyone gathered will greeting and the mystery of the Church experience the presence and power of the Lord in the introduction are gathered together is made community that is being formed (GIRM #50). manifest.” more than the simple The introduction is a simple, brief statement which greetings that one *General Instruction of the , n. 50. offers focus on the special character of the celebration. may hear as they are walking down the For Discussion street. The greeting • How is the Sign of the Cross made in your community? “signifies the presence of the Lord to the community • What are a few actions that your community may make gathered there (GIRM #50). It calls everyone to to help everyone understand and truly become “the Body recognize and experience the presence and power of the of Christ.” Lord in the community that they form through prayer. Finally, the introduction offers a very brief explanation For Faith Sharing of the special character of the celebration. • What emotion do you feel when you make the sign of the cross? Question of the Week • I feel like I am a member of “the Body of Christ” when • How does your community help everyone to become united … as “The Body of Christ” when we gather for liturgy?

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.