[VoloHumilisEsse]

So during Mass last week, and in prior weeks, I have noticed the priest, among others tap their chest with a closed fist at several times during Mass.

What does this symbolize?

Why is it done?

Is it appropriate for a lay person to do?

If so, when? Only in the context of a Mass, or at other times?

I am very curious about this so any guidance would be helpful.

God bless

Adam

ps.....mods can move this to the Q and A phorum if appropriate

[KnightofChrist]

I dont quite know. But I think of Luke 18:13

And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O god, be merciful to me a sinner.

[Archaeology cat]

I really don't know all the ins and outs or anything, but this is something I do in the Mass. First when we say "I have sinned through my own fault" and again when we say "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you". It's a reminder of my own low position in comparison to Christ, in whose presence I am. Sorry I can't offer more of an explanation, though!

[Deb]

I remember from many years ago that there was a part in mass in which we tapped our chest three times during the mass. I thought it was when we said, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us...... But, now that I am back in the church I never see anyone doing this so am not sure where that went or where it was supposed to be.

[jaime]

The tapping of the chest happens during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I believe it happens traditionally when the priest holds the elements up and says "Do this in remembrance of me". It is a tradition from pre Vatican II days. (we also used to have a bell ring at that time) It was believed by many that at the moment of transubstantiation, time stood still.

[Dismas]

VoloHumilisEsse, on Feb 2 2008, 12:41 AM, said:

So during Mass last week, and in prior weeks, I have noticed the priest, among others tap their chest with a closed fist at several times during Mass.

What does this symbolize?

The parable of the pharisee and the tax collector.

VoloHumilisEsse, on Feb 2 2008, 12:41 AM, said:

Why is it done?

As a sign of penance and humility for our sins. Some are more enthusiastic than others, but generally it is just a tap. Ever wonder why St. Jerome is shown holding a rock?

VoloHumilisEsse, on Feb 2 2008, 12:41 AM, said:

Is it appropriate for a lay person to do?

Sure.

VoloHumilisEsse, on Feb 2 2008, 12:41 AM, said:

If so, when? Only in the context of a Mass, or at other times?

Generally it is done at TLM's, but I suppose there could be some more traditional oriented NO masses that could use it, provided it is allowed in the rubrics.

I've done this a few times during prayer, particularly when I was in the midst of serious sin.

[MIkolbe]

My old Church used to do it during the Agnus Dei...

[CatherineM]

We used to do it during the Lord Have Mercy

[missionarybelle]

some people at my Church do it during the agnus dei (Have mercy on us/grant us peace) they also do it near the beginning of Mass at some point when we invoke God's mercy (can't think of the exact time).
I'm trying to get into the habit of it because it's an outward sign of your inward contrition.

[morostheos]

When in the Mass everyone says "I have sinned through my own fault," it says in the rubrics of the Mass to strike your breast. In most translations of the Mass it happens three times, but in the English translation it's only once. That's the only part that's actually in the rubrics, I think the rest are more of a personal devotion. I think it might also be for part of the Eucharistic prayer, but that's just the priest that does it that time.

[VoloHumilisEsse]

thanks all for the replies

ive been thinking about doing it during the part of the divine mercy chaplet after "eternal Father, I offer you......"......at "in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world"

[Noel's angel]

hot stuff, on Feb 2 2008, 03:58 PM, said:

The tapping of the chest happens during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I believe it happens traditionally when the priest holds the elements up and says "Do this in remembrance of me". It is a tradition from pre Vatican II days. (we also used to have a bell ring at that time) It was believed by many that at the moment of transubstantiation, time stood still.

A priest I know said that only the Irish Church was allowed to retain this practice. Dunno if it's true or not. He also said that the Irish Church exclusively, is allowed to use the prayer 'My Lord and my God' during the elevation.

This post has been edited by Noel's angel: 03 February 2008 - 11:06 AM

[the_rev]

Quote

When in the Mass everyone says "I have sinned through my own fault," it says in the rubrics of the Mass to strike your breast. In most translations of the Mass it happens three times, but in the English translation it's only once. That's the only part that's actually in the rubrics, I think the rest are more of a personal devotion. I think it might also be for part of the Eucharistic prayer, but that's just the priest that does it that time.

It is also in rubrics that during Eucharistic Prayer number 1 at "Though we are sinners we trust in your mercy and forgivness" the priest will strike his chest as it says in the rubrics.

[Noel's angel]

(The 'My Lord and my God' thing is actually a fifth response to the proclamation of faith, used only in Ireland.)

[son_of_angels]

VoloHumilisEsse, on Feb 2 2008, 01:41 AM, said:

So during Mass last week, and in prior weeks, I have noticed the priest, among others tap their chest with a closed fist at several times during Mass.

What does this symbolize?

Why is it done?

Is it appropriate for a lay person to do?

If so, when? Only in the context of a Mass, or at other times?

I am very curious about this so any guidance would be helpful.

God bless

Adam

ps.....mods can move this to the Q and A phorum if appropriate

It symbolizes penitence, because we are supposed to, well, repent. In fact, "repent!" was the first word of Jesus' preaching.
It is absolutely appropriate for the lay person to strike their breast during the Mass. In the Novus Ordo, it is explicitly noted in the rubrics for Penitential Rite A at the words, "through my own fault." When the Mass is said in Latin, at the words, "mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa."

Traditionally, other places where striking the breast is appropriate are at the "Nobis quoque peccatoribus" part of the Roman Canon, the Agnus Dei, the Domine non sum dignus (Lord, I am not worthy). Some people like to observe this at the elevation as well, but this is nowhere found in the rubrics.

God bless.

[Socrates]

missionarybelle, on Feb 2 2008, 06:53 PM, said:

some people at my Church do it during the agnus dei (Have mercy on us/grant us peace) they also do it near the beginning of Mass at some point when we invoke God's mercy (can't think of the exact time).
I'm trying to get into the habit of it because it's an outward sign of your inward contrition.

We've always done it during the Agnus Dei prayer - "Lamb of God, who takest way the sins of the world . . ."
It is an aknowledgement that the sins of the world are our own - expressing humility and begging forgiveness and mercy.