The Catechetical Review - Communicating Christ for a New Evangelization

Sacred Signs: Striking the Breast

Authored by Romano Guardini in Issue #35.2 of The Sower
In this meditation, Guardini wakens us to the fact that as merciful as God is, we still need to acknowledge our sinfulness to receive his mercy. The outward sign of striking the breast during the Confetior loses its significance, when our interior life denies any need for God’s forgiveness. When the priest begins Holy Mass, while he is standing at the foot of the altar, the faithful, or the servers in their stead, say “I confess to Almighty God…that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault,” each time they confess their guilt and they strike their breasts. What is the significance of this striking the breast?

The rest of this online article is available for current subscribers.

Start your subscription today!


This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

Articles from the Most Recent Issue

Witnessing to Life
By Kimberly Baker
As Christians, we are called to affirm the dignity of each human being. This dignity has its beginning from our first moment of existence, when each of us receives the gift of life itself. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of... Read more
AD: Glorious Works of Art and Inspiration
By Colleen Rainone
Free This is a paid advertisement. To order these resources visit www.ignatius.com or call 800-651-1531.... Read more
AD: Decided Excellence Catholic Media
By Colleen Rainone
Free This is a paid advertisement in the January-March 2024 issue. Advertisements should not be viewed as endorsements from the publisher. To find out more, go to www.decidedexcellence.com or email at [email protected] .... Read more

Pages

Watch Tutorial Videos

We've put together several quick and easy tutorial videos to show you how to use this website.

Watch Now