In my bulletin article from last week, I began a series of reflections on liturgical gestures focusing mainly on the Sign of the Cross and the various times and ways this embodied action is woven throughout the Mass. This week I invite us to consider another gesture in the Mass, namely Striking One’s Breast.

In my remaining weeks at St. Joan of Arc Parish, I would like to share some insights on a number of the fundamental components of the liturgy such as gesture, posture and vesture. These components are not unique to Roman Catholic worship, nor are they exclusive elements in any organized religion. They are some of the basic building blocks of all ritual language, religious or secular.