Is the sign of the cross on forehead, lips and heart before the Gospel for the priest only?
The short answer
No, everyone does it. The GIRM says the priest signs the book and his forehead, mouth and breast, "which everyone else does as well."
Everyone is meant to do this. GIRM 134 says that at the ambo the priest greets the people, announces the Gospel, and makes the sign of the cross with his thumb on the book and on his forehead, mouth and breast, "which everyone else does as well."
Fr. Mateo explained the gesture: for the word Christ brought, set down in this book, we are willing to stand with open minds, ready to confess it with our mouths, and above all determined to guard it faithfully in our hearts.
Continue exploring
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