Mass 101

To those of us who have been Episcopalians for some time, there are things that we do on Sunday mornings that are just automatic. Personal acts that help us experience worship such as the sign of the cross or genuflecting are often not familiar to those who walk in to St. Paul's without prior experience in liturgical worship. This short article is offered to shed a little light on those practices.

1. Posture: We typically stand up for praise and the reading of the Gospel lesson, kneel for prayer and to receive the Holy Eucharist, and sit for instruction. It is common for those who are physically unable to kneel to stand during times when others are kneeling. This physical movement keeps us involved in the service rather than having us simply sit throught it as mere observers.

2. Genuflection and Bowing: Genuflection is the act of briefly kneeling on one knee as an act of reverence. To bow or genuflect is a proper way to reverence the altar when passing by it or before being seated in your pew.  It is also a tradition to bow slightly when the processional cross passes by your pew, and at certain times during the Creed (at the name of Christ and mention of the Virgin Mary).

3. The "Sign of the Cross" is done by touching the forehead, breast, left shoulder, and right shoulder, thus marking the cross upon oneself. It is generally done with the first two fingers and the thumb, denoting the Holy Trinity. There is no simple rule as to when the sign of the cross should be made, but it is customarily done any time there is a reference to the dead, at the beginning and ending of prayer, at any reference to a blesing upon oneself, and when the priest approaches you with the Holy Eucharist and/or after receiving .  The easiest thing to do if you are not familiar with when to do the sign of the cross is to watch the people in the chancel during Mass to see when they do it.

4. The "Sign of the Cross" at the announcement of the Gospel lesson is often done three times, once on the forehead, once on the lips, and once on the heart.  This is to denote the prayer for God to "write his words in my head, on my lips, and in my heart".

These are just a few of the basics... by no means an exhaustive list. As you will notice, some people practice all of these things and some almost none. These are personal acts that are not required of anyone.  It is perfectly acceptable to attend and take part in the service while omitting any or all of them. I hope this article has offered some insight.