GoodCatholics atPrayer 347
the altar was visible. Laypeople acknowledged Christ’s image as they passed.
Bona of Pisa, ‘‘after the manner of the laity,’’ always bowed and crossed
herself when passing a painting of Christ Crucified, whether that was above
the screen door or merely painted on a wall. Once, the crucified Savior
bowed back!^26 Some laypeople added short invocations to the Paters used to
salute the altar. In Piacenza, the flagellant confraternity members added, ‘‘I
give thanks to you, O Christ, because you are my redeemer and savior.’’^27
They used the same prayer whenever they passed an image of Christ Cruci-
fied. Vernacular greetings appear in devotional manuscripts of the commu-
nal period, even before reservation of the Host above the main altar became
a common practice. These often link the image of Christ with his real pres-
ence in the Eucharist. A well-worn early-fourteenth-century collection of
devotions prescribed the famous ‘‘Anima Christi’’ in an Italian version as a
suitable greeting for images of Christ Crucified.^28 The very pious, such as
Pietro Pettinaio or Saint Clare of Assisi (according to Sora Pacifica de’ Guel-
fuzzi of Assisi), reverenced the cross by prostrating themselves before it and
reciting several prayers.^29
In the nave, their part of the church, the laity adopted whatever stance
they found conducive to prayer. Only the extremely devout were given to
full prostrations or groveling on all fours as a regular posture, although Peter
the Chanter included these as his fifth and seventh modes of prayer. He
gave no indication that they were exceptional.^30 To stand praying was fully
acceptable, even if it called to mind the negative image of the proud Pharisee
of the Gospel (Luke 18 : 9 – 14 ). While standing, supplicants raised their arms
over their heads toward God (first mode), extended them to form a cross
(second mode), or joined their hands palm to palm on the chest (third
mode).^31 Peter was emphatic that nothing should hinder use of the more
dramatic extensions of the arms. Only the vice of pride discouraged this
gesture, suggesting that it might be embarrassing.^32 This was a demonstrative
age. Folding the hands before the breast was seemly and the least disruptive
mark of respect in crowded churches during Mass. But even then most knelt
to pray, with hands folded palm to palm.^33 Peter rounded on indolent clergy
and monks, along with the rich and knights, who found this kneeling tire-
some and uncomfortable. When the clerics and rich men did adopt a more
becoming posture, they often committed the sin of ‘‘fraud in kneeling’’—
propping themselves up or leaning against walls or columns. Tellingly, Peter
26 .Vita [Sanctae Bonae Virginis Pisanae], 1. 8 ,p. 145 : ‘‘modo laico.’’
27. Piacenza Battuti Stat. ( 1317 ), 64 : ‘‘Ago tibi Christe gratias, quia redemptor et salvator meus es.’’
28. Modena, Biblioteca Estense Universitaria,ms.W. 2. 40 (xivcent.), fol. 1 v. See ‘‘Anima Christi,’’
The Catholic Encyclopedia 1 ( 1913 ), 515.
29 .El processo della canonic ̧atione de sancta Chiara, 1. 9 ,p. 444.
30. Peter the Chanter,De Oratione, 152 (mode 5 ), 160 (mode 7 ).
31. Ibid., 134 , 140 , 144.
32. Ibid., 193.
33. The sixth mode: ibid., 156 (Padua manuscript).