What is the origin of the sign of the cross at the gospel, bowing at ...
The first recorded instance of making the sign of the cross at the proclamation of the gospel is found in the ninth century: Regimius of Auxerre (d. c. 908) in his Expositio recorded how the people in the congregation would sign their foreheads, and the deacon would sign his forehead and breast. By the eleventh century, as attested to by Pope ...
Why does the orthodox cross have three bars with the bottom one …
The cross with which most Roman Catholics are familiar is technically termed the “Latin Cross,” which has the long vertical beam crossed about two-thirds up by a horizontal beam. This type of cross is believed to be the one upon which the Romans crucified our Lord, nailing His outstretched hands to the ends of the horizontal beam and his ...
Why do we have Holy Water? - Catholic Straight Answers
In making the sign of the cross with the Holy Water, we are mindful that we are called to renew those baptismal promises of rejecting Satan, all His works, and all his empty promises, and to profess our credal faith. Once again, we repent of sin, so that we can offer our prayers and worship to God with pure and contrite hearts.
Why is the Mass structured the way it is? - Catholic Straight Answers
Tertullian (d. c. 250) described the common usage of the sign of the cross: “In all our travels and movements, in all our coming in and going out, in putting on our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupies us, we mark our foreheads with the sign of the cross” (De ...
What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit? - Catholic Straight Answers
Then, the bishop confirms each candidate, making the sign of the cross with holy chrism on his forehead, while saying, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This prayer reflects the importance of confirmation: “It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace.
What is the origin of wearing religious medals?
Pope St. Gregory the Great (d. 604) sent to Queen Theodolind of the Lombards two small reliquaries containing relics of the True Cross and a sentence from the gospel manuscripts to be worn around the neck as a reminder of her duty as a Christian Queen.
Mass Archives - Catholic Straight Answers
What is the origin of the sign of the cross at the gospel, bowing at the Creed, and shaking hands for the sign of peace? Does a priest have to offer Mass daily? Can we still have Mass in Latin? If a priest is in the state of mortal sin, can he still offer the …
Why do we genuflect before the Tabernacle and kneel during Mass?
The practice of genuflecting before the Blessed Sacrament, whether enclosed in the tabernacle or exposed in a monstrance, is a beautiful sign of adoration. This physical act of genuflection symbolizes our heart bowing before the Lord who is substantially and really present in …
Prayer & Devotions Archives - Catholic Straight Answers
What is the origin of the sign of the cross? What is the 40 Hours Devotion? What is exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament? What is a novena? What is a blessing? What are the origins of the scapular? Should people hold hands during the Our Father at Mass? What is the Shroud of Turin? What does a person do about distraction during ...
What does IHS mean? Does it mean “I have suffered?”
Countering the objections of some who considered this veneration superstitious, Pope Martin V in 1427 approved the proper veneration to the Holy Name and asked that the cross be included in the monogram IHS. Largely due to St. Bernadine’s preaching, the name “Jesus” was added to the Hail Mary: “Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”