3Sign of the Cross and greeting
We begin “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”, the same words said at our baptism. Then the priest greets us with words straight from the Bible: the Lord is here among us.
Do Make the Sign of the Cross with him.
Say “Amen.” Then “The Lord be with you.” — “And with your spirit.”
Learn it in Latin: Signum Crucis and Dominus vobiscum
Did you know?
How many times do we answer “And with your spirit”?
Five: at the greeting, before the Gospel, at “Lift up your hearts”, at the sign of peace, and just before the final blessing (GIRM 134, 148, 154, 167).
For parentsThe theology behind this moment, and where every fact comes from
Where this comes from
- Teaching The greeting tells us the Lord is present with the people gathered (GIRM 50).
- Teaching At baptism the minister says: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1240).
- Jesus sends the apostles out “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
- Boaz greets the harvesters: “The LORD be with you!” (Ruth 2:4); “The Lord be with your spirit” (2 Timothy 4:22).
- Tradition “Your spirit” means the gift of the Holy Spirit the priest received when he was ordained.
What the labels mean: Teaching, Tradition and Tip.