To make one's “mea culpa” is an expression which, from the Christian liturgy, has passed into current usage of the French language. But who still remembers today this rite which requires a real effort of loyalty to oneself and to our Creator who suffered to save us?

“And all those who saw it, when they saw what had happened, returned, beating their breasts.” (Luke 23:48)

It is in the New Testament that we still find some traces of this rite, one of the peculiarities of which is hitting one's chest. Indeed, it is well attested that this very familiar gesture is exclusively Christian. Indeed, if we find in the Old Testament these two quotations “Yes, after I turned away, I repented, I understood and I beat my chest” (Jeremiah 31:19) and “Also, strike your chest… ”(Ezekiel 21:17), they are accompanied by critical notes which say that the literal expression is“ I slapped my thigh ”. This gesture also expresses in these places, irritation against oneself, boredom or pain. Nothing to do with the feeling of repentance ...

Thus, the publican of the Gospel is the first in canonical literature to strike his chest as a sign of repentance (Luke 18:13). The second time is after the death of Jesus. The centurion proclaims that at the sight of the Passion, the crowds turned back, beating their breasts (Luke 23: 47,48).

The heart is the seat of sin

But what exactly does the gesture of this ritual mean? Beating one's chest, or more precisely the heart (considered at the time of the Evangelists as the seat of sin), was the expression of deep and true repentance. There is a gesture of designation there. By beating his chest, the sinner blames himself. He designates himself, recognizes his responsibility and he designates his heart as the very source of sin, according to what Jesus taught: “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what makes man impure; from the heart, in fact, proceed evil designs, murders, adulteries, debauchery, theft, false testimony, slander… (Matthew 15: 18,19).
“Heart” is inscribed 824 times in the Bible!

Saint Augustine (opposite), around 400, wrote: “What does the gesture of hitting one's chest mean if not to designate what is there, hidden in the chest, and correct the secret sin by visibly striking one's heart. By this gesture, we mean that we crush our heart so that it is governed by God ”. “When you strike your breast, you testify to your irritation against your heart, that it may satisfy the Lord your God” (Sermon 19). To act thus, it is thus to express that one would like that our heart is broken for good and that God gives us a new one which can please him in everything.

Often we hear people say: "Has God forsaken me?" », And again« Why doesn't God listen to my prayers? "Or" How can I protect myself effectively against the forces of evil? ", Or" I did a ritual, but it did not work "... The answer can be found in the Scriptures! Perhaps there is nothing in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, that is more denounced than hardness of heart or "stiff neck". Cardiosclerosis is an image constantly used to stigmatize Israel's infidelity, to describe the conduct of the wicked and the ungodly. We find the word heart 824 times in the Bible! Here are a few examples: "a heart of stone" (Ezekiel 11:19), "an uncircumcised heart" (Deuteronomy 10:16), "a heart of diamond" (Zechariah 7:12) ... There is therefore no doubt that one who is hard-hearted as a stone or who does not sincerely repent cannot get much from the Lord! So, under these conditions, what use would it be to perform rituals of request for pardons from the Forces?

When to perform the “MEA CULPA” rite?

This rite is not a substitute for confessional work that allows for in-depth work.

So reserve the MEA CULPA before (or after, the best being about ten days before) an important ritual work of asking for grace for yourself, in order to appear “washed” before the mercy of the Higher Forces. Indeed, if you have committed one or more specific faults that would transgress the divine commandments, then it is important to do your mea culpa.

To take a household image, the MEA CULPA corresponds to a little sweeping, while the confession is of the order of a deep cleaning. In fact, this rite is part of the family of purification rites. So put all the chances on your side!

How to perform the “MEA CULPA” rite?

  • The first step of the rite is to make an effort of sincerity in front of your brothers: clearly tell a person you know the fault(s) you have committed.
  • The next day, atCelestial Hour of your Angel, recite the Prayer of Repentance below without saying the passages “Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa”.
  • The third day, stillCelestial Hour of your Angel, take a purifying bath: a spoonful of white clay in the hot water of a bath.
  • On the fourth day,Celestial Hour of your Angel, recite the Prayer of Repentance completely by performing the recommended gestures.
  • On the fifth day, you will need to make an offering or an act of charity, as reparation for the faults committed.

The prayer of repentance

MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA, MEA MAXIMA CULPA

LORD ALL POWERFUL, OUR GOD, YOU WHO DESIRE THAT ALL MEN ARE SAVED. YOU, BY THE MOUTH OF YOUR PROPHET ISAIA, SAY: WASH AND YOU WILL BE PURIFIED; REJECT ANY MALICE OF YOUR HEARTS; ADD TO WORKS THAT PLEASE MY EYES AND YOU WILL BE WHOLER THAN SNOW, YOU ALL SIN.

MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA, MEA MAXIMA CULPA

YOURSELF, MASTER, ALSO REALIZE ON ME THE SINNER, YOUR UNIGNIFICANT SERVANT WHO REPENT, THIS PROMISE THAT YOU ANNOUNCED BY YOUR PROPHET TO YOUR SONS OF ISRAEL.

MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA, MEA MAXIMA CULPA

O MY GOD, WHO READS IN HEARTS, I COME TO YOU WITH A SPIRIT OF REPENTANCE. I REGRET ALL MY FAULTS AND IN THE FUTURE I renounce all other sins, all shameful acts.

MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA, MEA MAXIMA CULPA

STRONG WITH YOUR HELP, I WILL MAKE SURE I DO NOT ADD ANY OTHER TRANSGRESSIONS. ON THE CONTRARY, I WILL NOT STOP RENT YOU AT ANY TIME WITH A PURE HEART.

MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA, MEA MAXIMA CULPA

THUS I WILL SPEND THE REST OF MY DAYS IN OBEDIENCE OF YOUR HOLY COMMANDMENTS AND IN YOUR MERCY I WILL RECEIVE ETERNAL AND BLESSED LIFE.

MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA, MEA MAXIMA CULPA

FOR YOU ARE BLESSED THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES. AMEN.

  • This prayer of Repentance is performed on our knees.
  • Each time you say the phrase: MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA, MEA MAXIMA CULPA, on the A of Culpa, you will have to hit your chest (at the heart) with a closed fist.
  • When you have said: MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA, MEA MAXIMA CULPA, you will leave your fist closed on your heart and you will continue to read the rest of the prayer until you come across the phrase in Latin once again or you will start the gesture again. So on, until the end of the prayer.
  • Inside your closed fist you should hold a small cross, which should then be worn around your neck for at least five days following the recitation of this prayer.

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