Expert: Griff Ruby - 1/24/2012

Question
QUESTION: in the legion of Mary, when praying the catena in the course of the meeting, is it right to make the sign of the cross at the point where it is said "my soul magnifies the Lord, and my Spirit rejoices in God my savior"?

ANSWER: Yes, that is a point at which one is expected to cross themselves.  That is why the printed copies of the Legion of Mary prayers includes a "+"-like symbol between the words "soul" and "doth" (or "does" in more contemporary copies).


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Let me start by saying thank you for the answer to my previous question. Thank you so much!!!

Please tell me when (at what times) should the lay-faithful sign themselves with the sign of the cross when the Mass is on?

Answer
If you follow along in the Missal, the places where the "+" symbol appears are where one would cross themselves.  If the prayer is whispered by the priest such that the congregation cannot, by and large, hear what is being said and when, any times that the priest might do the sign of the Cross need not be performed by those assisting at Mass, even if the words are in the Missal and contain the symbol.
It may well nevertheless be a pious action to do the sign of the cross whenever you see the priest do so, but I am unaware of any indulgences attached to doing that.  And of course, for any reading from the Gospel, there is the triple cross of forehead, lips, and heart, followed by one large overall cross of oneself.  Along with that, the most important sign of the Cross is that which comes at the end when the priest most specifically blesses the congregation shortly before dismissing them.