Opening the Doors: The Introductory Rites

Sunday Mass. Statistically, 24% of Catholics in America experience it every week, or about 16.4 million people. Over sixteen million people sharing in the Eucharist every single week. Of that "great multitude", how many do you think actually understand (or make an effort to understand) what is happening? How many  are just going through the motions without realizing the supernatural drama unfolding right in front of them?

That's my goal with this new series, Guided Missal. A step-by-step walk-through of your typical Sunday Mass, uncovering twenty centuries of symbolism, meaning and grace.

It all starts with a few simple words. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. With each word, a touch. Forehead, heart, shoulder, shoulder. It's the universal sign of a Christian, and has been made in countless locations and situations, at every crucial moment in history for the last two thousand years. Those who make it have suffered execution and persecution, triumph and victory. It is the most enduring symbol of Christianity, going beyond empty ritual to express, in a simple gesture, the most deeply-held beliefs of the Church. 

It is the Sign of the Cross.

First, the words. "In the name of the Father..." We announce before God and Heaven that what we are doing...we are always doing...is done in the name of the Triune God. In His honor. On His behalf. We declare that the Mass, or whatever we are beginning, is to be holy, set apart. 

When we say "Father", we touch our forehead. We remember the Creator by touching the head, the seat of our creativity. 

When we say "Son" we touch our heart. We remember the Redeemer - and his ultimate act of Love, his sacrifice - by touching the seat of love. 

We say "Holy Spirit" and touch our shoulders. We remember the Helper by touching the shoulders, where we bear our burdens. 

The motion traces the Cross over our entire bodies - it is not just "lip service" we're giving, but our whole selves. We offer everything we have on the Cross. Not only that, but moving our hand from our head to heart is a downward sweep, remembering how God came to earth in the person of Christ for our sake. The Cross is the physical link between heaven and earth. 

In the Eastern churches, the symbolism goes even deeper. They make the Sign of the Cross by joining the thumb, forefinger and middle finger and placing the ring and pinky fingers against the palm. This represents the Trinity and the dual natures of Christ, respectively. 

The Mass opens with our most fundamental sign - with the symbol of our redemption. We set the stage for the supernatural drama that is soon to follow.

Part 2: A Rite for Wrongs