The sign of the cross that Catholics make before prayer or any other activity is not meant to be a superstitious act, but an outward profession of faith. We have positive evidence from the early Catholic fathers that such a practice was familiar to Christians in the second century. At least in the Byzantine tradition, where it is stipulated that the sign be made either with two fingers (symbolizing the two natures of Christ) or three fingers (symbolizing the Trinity), a theological statement is being made. Catholics should not even be doing it because it is wrong. PLEASE ANSWER 2 See answers madwoman26 madwoman26 Answer: 1. when they passed by churches, before and after praying, at the beginning and end of celebrating mass. I wasn’t aware of its ties to baptism. Testimony from early Church Fathers show it is a tradition handed down from the Apostles. 60, No. Some may make the sign as they drive past a cemetery as a quick prayer for the dead who are buried there. We begin our prayers with the sign of the cross. Obviously making physical movements with the body is not prayer. By this time there was also a widespread custom of blessing in the form of a cross using the eucharist, the gospel book, or a reliquary. As the Baltimore Catechism explains, “The sign of the cross is a profession of faith in the chief mysteries of our religion because it expresses the mysteries of the Unity and Trinity of God and of the Incarnation and death of our Lord… [it] expresses the mystery of the Incarnation by reminding us that the Son of God, having become man, suffered death on the cross.” The more expansive sign of the cross (touching forehead, chest, and shoulders) is first mentioned in the devotional life of Christians in the fifth century, but it was not until the early Middle Ages, largely through the influence of monasteries, that the gesture comes into general use. Many other hand shapes are also in use. Most Eastern Christians do it in a different order: From top to bottom and then from right to left. Moving priests make solemn signs over newly dead persons or penitents in the confessional, boxers make clumsy signs with their gloved fists, tonsured monks in medieval garb make the same gesture as a shorthand way of indicating that they are either superstitious or in the presence of some eerie portent, and there is nothing like a vivid sign of the cross (made preferably with a raised crucifix) to get Bela Lugosi as Dracula to turn away dramatically from a previously inviting neck. What is the sign of the cross all about? Ghezzi: Yes, the sign of the cross is used by Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians, particularly in baptisms. From the earliest days of the Church, Christians understood that the cross of Christ has great power. In this video international Catholic speaker, Fr. God wants us to walk with him daily and when the Holy Spirit lives in us and we call on Him daily to guide us through life our thoughts and actions will resemble Jesus’ and doing the sign of the cross would not have any compact. Lots of Christians actually do make the sign of the cross when they pray. Many Catholics will cross themselves when they pass by a Catholic church or chapel where the Eucharist is present. … It is the Sign of the faithful, and the dread of devils… for when they see the Cross they are reminded of the Crucified; they are afraid of Him, who bruised the heads of the dragon. But we are so accustomed to making the sign of the cross that we may have never stopped to ask what the gesture means. What’s the difference between bowing between these man-made objects or bowing before a golden calf? Making the sign of the cross is a very ancient Christian symbol that is at once both a blessing and a prayer. It’s kind of a quick prayer on their behalf. In his small catechism, Martin Luther recommends making the sign of the cross at bedtime and first thing in the morning. Making the sign of the cross says something, and when it is done in public (for example, at the blessing before meals in a public place) it is also an act of faith. I do tend to make the Sign of the Cross when I hear an ambulance or pass an accident – basically to ask God to help the victims and responders. God, as a Trinity, exists in three Persons. Priests make the sign not only during the sacraments but use it to impart blessings on people or objects. If a person raises his hand too quickly to cross himself, he risks striking the ciborium or chalice, which could cause an accident with the Eucharist. This “lay blessing” is common in Catholic cultures, made by parents on their children before bed or before going out or on a trip. Sometimes Catholics may make a quick Sign of the Cross when receiving bad news, or … Offbeat — 01 July 2013. Read Mark chapter 7. An indulgence of 300 days for making the sign of the cross, with holy water. Quite obviously, signing ourselves is a mark of our belief in the saving actions of Jesus Christ. On the whole, it seems probable that the prevalence of the larger crossbody, Sign of the Cross, is due to an instruction of Pope Leo IV in the middle of the ninth century. But the sign of the cross is an ancient tradition with deep theological meaning. It brings the power of Christ’s cross to us and can be a powerful help against temptation and an excellent way of reminding us of the great things Jesus has done for us. Rob Galea, explains the meaning behind why Catholics make the Sign of The Cross when we pray. > Why don't Christians make the sign of the cross when they pray? A catholic priest makes the sign when blessing someone and a follower of the religion makes the sign when receiving a blessing in church or passing by a church or even when feeling thankful or frightened. In Catholic schools, the prayers the school prays in common usually begin and end with the sign of the cross. All Rights Reserved |, Simone Weil, a kindred spirit for church outsiders. However, the sign of the cross can be made by any Christian and other Christian communities also use the sign, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians. In that sense, the sign of the cross is a form of body language like the gestures of raising the hands in prayer, kneeling, bowing, and so on. One practical strategy for our common Christian spiritual life is to relearn what we are doing when we sign ourselves. … What does it mean to say that Eve is Adam’s ‘help meet’. They kiss that. Making the sign of the cross is a gesture that says, in shorthand, that a person is Catholic. You’ve probably seen your Catholic friends do it or at least you’ve likely seen it on TV as it is often referenced. A common Byzantine formula used while signing oneself is, “Blessed is our God at all times now and always and forever. Those Christians are known as Catholics and Orthodox. When you sign yourself, you are declaring to the devil, "Hands off. This makes a little cross. Along this thought, this gesture has been used since the earliest times of the Church to … Why do Catholics make the sign of the cross. Sometimes Catholics make the sign of the cross, with or without words, at other times as well. This blessing is made by the tracing of an upright cross or + across the body with the right hand, often accompanied by spoken or mental recitation of the trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Sign of the Cross is a simple gesture yet a profound expression of faith for both Catholic and Orthodox Christians. We use the thumb sign of the cross on forehead, lips, and breast before the reading of the gospel. "In all our travels and movements", says Tertullian (De cor. The sign of the cross speaks and confesses. A “substance” or “nature” is what something is. The same sign is ubiquitous in Catholic piety. In God, however, three Persons possess the same divine nature. Sometimes Catholics make the sign of the cross, with or without words, at other times as well. . In his evocative book Sacred Signs the late Romano Guardini made the point so beautifully that I will give him the last word: It is the holiest of all signs. The sign of the cross is a powerful way of making us mindful of the Trinity and inviting God into our prayer and into our daily lives. Historically, the sign has also been viewed as representing the trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sometimes Catholics may make a quick Sign of the Cross when receiving bad news, or when sirens pass, as a way of praying for those involved. Your email address will not be published. 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