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Q. Dear Father, Why do we make a little cross on our forehead, lips, and heart before the Proclamation of the Gospel?

A. During Mass, we make a little cross on our forehead, lips, and heart, because these outward gestures made with our bodies are pointing to an inward prayer that is happening in our hearts.

When the Gospel is about to be read, the priest says: ‘A Reading from the Gospel according to St.Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John’. The congregation then responds, ‘Glory to You, Oh Lord,’ making a small cross with their thumb over their forehead, lips, and heart.

Remember, the cross itself is a sign of redemption in and through Jesus Christ. When we make this sign of the cross, in any form, it’s an outward act to profess our inward faith in the Trinity. This sign declares that, through our baptism, we belong to God.

The reason for making a cross during this period of the Mass is to highlight the importance of the Word of God we are about to hear.

In the outward sign of crossing our forehead, lips, and heart, we are asking that the Word of God to pierce our mind, lips, and hearts.

We cross our forehead so that the Word of God may be in our thoughts and purify our minds. We cross our lips so that our speech may be holy and incline us to share the Gospel with others. And we cross our hearts to invite God to strengthen our love for Him and others. All of this is so that we might know, proclaim, and love Jesus Christ all the more.

So next time you’re at mass and the Gospel is about to be proclaimed pray that ‘The word of God be ever in my mind, proclaimed by my lips, and pierce my heart leading me to deeper communion with you, Jesus.’

Our Lady of the Lake Parish

Living Faith in Jesus Christ

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