Q: Can you tell me the words that the bishops and priests use to reverence the processional cross at the end of Mass? Ritual and why? Thanks
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A: I treat this in my book Ars Celebrandi. The Ceremonial of Bishops (170) says that they all make a reverence to the cross, but it gives no further instructions or explanations. In fact, the priests then bow to the bishop (CB 170), as any of the ministers do when approaching or leaving him (CB 76).
In some places, when bowing to the cross, the bishop says, “Praised be Jesus Christ,” and all respond, “Now and forever.” In other places, all first say “Deo gratias.” Then the bishop says, “Prosit” and all respond “Pro omnibus et singulis.” Or, “Thanks be to God.” “May it be good” “for all and each one.” Such dialogues are devotional but have no appearance in the rubrics.
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