I rember the Nuns teaching us back in school to Touch your heart with your right hand during the elevation of Host and Chalice.( when the bells are rung) at the holy Mass. I was taught that this was a way of expressing to God that you love Him, and are sorry for your sins. I was wandering if anyone else was taught that, because I very rarely see anyone doing it.(usually a older person ).

Were any other Catholics taught this?

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), February 13, 2002

Answers

Four Jacks!

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), February 13, 2002.

I think this may be a modification of the old practice of striking one's chest three times as the bells rang...and speaking (under one's breath) the words, mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Translated, it means "Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievious fault." This was said while striking one's chest as a form of penitence (early times manner of flagellation) when the bells rang during the consecration of each element.

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), February 13, 2002.

Hi David, I don't know anything about this, but I was not raised Catholic. Even after almost 16 years it seems that I have so much to learn. I don't know if this is "proper" or not, but what I do when the priest kneels or bows during consecration, I bow my head and close my eyes as a sign of reverence. I don't know if others do this because I have my eyes closed! :)

The only thing I can add to this is that before I became Catholic and when I attended my (future, now he is my) husband's church and someone, who was in the front of the church, crossed himself, very largely and obviously, when the consecration was made. (I hope that I am expressing myself well here without trying to judge this person). It seemed, I don't know, just so "performance based" that it was almost a turn off, and I've not seen this in any other church that I've attended. I just try to think that this person was expressing their faith in the manner that was customary to them and let it go at that.

Anyway, I've not seen the gesture that you have mentioned, but after my experience at the church that I described, I try not to look at others during this time, but to look at Jesus.

Carolyn

-- cksunshine (cklrun@hotmail.com), February 13, 2002.

P.S. David:

We don't have bells rung at our church. Is this a common practice anymore? At what point are they rung?

Thanks! Carolyn

-- cksunshine (cklrun@htomail.com), February 13, 2002.

Carolyn,

The bells ring just as the transformation of the bread into flesh and wine into blood occur.

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), February 13, 2002.

IMHO nothing of what has been mentioned above is prescribed, it is rather a popular practice. In Mexico when the Elevation takes place some people say in a murmuring way St. Thomas words: SEŅOR MIO Y DIOS MIO.

That goes to show how the practices can change from place to place.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), February 13, 2002.

I read someplace the ordinary practice in Ireland is to address the Sacred Host during the elevation with the words, ''A hundred thousand welcomes, O Delight of my soul!''

Which makes sense to me, and I'm not Irish. All our varied customs are good and acceptable to Our Lord, I'm sure. They are external reactions to the great mystery of the Holy Eucharist.

The holy nuns taught me to say, ''My Lord and my God'', at the elevation of the sacred Host; and not stare directly, but look downward. The elevation of the chalice was when we should say only, ''My Jesus, Mercy!''

Our hands were supposed to be in an attitude of prayer; exactly as the Holy Virgin of Guadalupe holds hers. Others will argue; but to me nothing is more truly Christian than this position of the hands. If it was good enough for Our Blessed Mother, it's good enough for all of us. She is pictured the same way at Fatima and Lourdes.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), February 13, 2002.

Hi, Carolyn.

Hope everything is going well with yourself and your family.

Acording to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal,n.109:

" A Little before the Consecration, the server may ring a bell as a signal to the faithful. Depending on local customs, he also rings the bell at the showing of both the host and chalice "

Melissa, thanks, I think you are correct.

God bless you Ladys.

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), February 13, 2002.

Jmj

It's interesting to read about the various devotional practices and customs.

My own experience is a sort of combination of that of David S and Enrique/Eugene ...
When I was growing up (1950s), the kids in my diocese were encouraged to do three things at the consecration:
1. Gaze at the Host and chalice in adoration.
2. Strike the breast once, while ...
3. Saying with St. Thomas (humbly and penitentially for doubting), "My Lord and my God!"

I join you, Carolyn, in bowing my head when the priest genuflects after each consecration. Some religious orders that are specially dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament have permission to prostrate themselves or to bow most profoundly (hands and forehead touching the floor) at that point, as a sign of faith in transubstantiation.

It has never been correct to avert one's gaze from the Sacred Species during the consecrations. The very reason that they are elevated (or "shown," as the Church refers to it) is so that the faithful can look at them and adore Jesus. Confirming this, the GIRM says: "233. Three genuflections are made [by the priest] during Mass: after the showing of the eucharistic Bread, after the showing of the chalice, and before communion. If there is a tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament in the sanctuary, a genuflection is made before and after Mass [by each person present] and whenever anyone passes in front of the Blessed Sacrament." (Of course, a person is free from the obligation to genuflect if unable to do so because of a physical problem.)

The use of bells is optional, but I think that they are making a "comeback." In the 1970s, some "professional liturgists" -- who failed to read the GIRM -- mistakenly thought that Vatican II had done away with bells (and various other things, like the Rosary!), so there are dioceses in which no bells are ever heard these days.

God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), February 14, 2002.