You have probably heard it said, it may even have been said to you or about you. You may even have said it yourself. It usually goes something like ‘I can’t stand craw thumpers’. Or, ‘He’s a real craw thumper’. A craw thumper is somebody who usually goes to Mass, says their prayers, and is, outwardly at lease, a good Catholic, whatever that is. But then, after Mass proceeds to live a life that is anything but good. Perhaps they talk about others, or are mean to others, or judgemental, or intolerant, or lacking compassion. The list goes on.

The phrase itself comes from the fact that as Catholics, during Holy Mass, we are supposed to strike our breast, or craw as it is sometimes called – ‘I have something stuck in my craw’.  But why do Catholics strike their breast during Holy Mass?

Catholics strike the breast during the Confiteor (“I confess…”) as a physical expression of interior repentance and humility. This gesture – done at the words “through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault” – has deep biblical and spiritual meaning.

Firstly, it is a sign of personal responsibility. The action corresponds to the triple “mea culpa” (Latin for “through my fault”), emphasising personal accountability for sin. It says: “I acknowledge that I have sinned – no one else is to blame.”

Secondly, it is a gesture of contrition. In the Bible, striking the breast is a sign of sorrow. For example:

“But the tax collector stood at a distance… and beat his breast saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Luke 18:13) “And all the crowds… returned home beating their breasts.” (Luke 23:48, after witnessing the death of Jesus)

Thirdly, it is a call for GOD’s mercy. By striking the heart, we acknowledge that sin resides in the heart, and we beg God to cleanse and transform it, pleading with GOD for inner healing and grace.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), the document which details the ‘mechanics’ of Mass – specifies that the faithful strike their breast during the Confiteor at the words “through my fault…”

In addition, it reflects an attitude of both humility and reverence, reminding us that we approach the Eucharist not as perfect people, but as forgiven sinners in need of GOD’s mercy.

The significance of this small but powerful gesture helps us to participate in the Mass more deeply, with heart and body. We are incarnate beings and we worship GOD with our body, heart, mind and soul. It is for this reason that we also, kneel, sit, stand, bow, and genuflect during Mass, so enter more fully, more reverently into the sacred mysteries. Furthermore, it helps us to recognise our need for reconciliation with God and others.

When we consider the action of striking our breast in light of all of this, perhaps being considered a ‘craw-thumper’ is no bad thing.

(Adapted from an original article by Fr. AC Perez, SchP)

Catechetical Corner appears in our parish newsletter each week. It is not intended to be the last word on anything, neither it is intended to be an academic, theological treatment of the subject. It is merely intended to cause a moment of pause and reflection and to give a basic insight into some aspect of our Catholic Faith.