Crossing yourself

[Searching_for_Christ]

As a rather random, silly, not of much importance question..I was wondering if Lutherans by any chance cross themselves at all? (I'm speaking of Conservative Lutherans of course) I remember a Catholic friend describing it as such

"its just an outside sign of an inward phenomenon
PRAYER!"

So what say you?

 

[Bryne]

I cross myself. I have seen others cross themselves. Not everyone does.

 

[Searching_for_Christ]

I kinda see crossing yourself as almost a devotional in a way (if that makes any sense at all)

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

There are a small number of us who do in my Congregation. There are some Congregations where almost everyone does, there are some where no one does.

In Lutheran Service Book, not only do the rubrics allow for this practice, but the various liturgies are marked with a small red cross where one may do this.

For me, I see it as both an outward form of prayer and a form of devotion; as a remembrance of our baptism and of Christ's sacrifice for us.

Regarding the morning and evening prayer Luther instructs: "...make the sign of the Holy Cross and say In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

 

[AngCath]

I do (many in the congregation do) as a reminder of our baptism. Evangelical Lutheran Worship even marks appropriate places for it.

 

[porterross]

Yes. It's more normal than not here.

 

[Luther073082]

Yes many Lutherans do make the sign of the cross, especially at the mention of the trinity and after the sacrament of the altar.

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

Yes many Lutherans do make the sign of the cross, especially at the mention of the trinity and after the sacrament of the altar.

Yup.


In my congregation, I'd say it's about half. Mostly the half that are former Catholics or life-long Lutherans.

It's not always fully consistent WHERE we do that. At the invocation and at the dismissal from the Eucharist are pretty universal, but some do it at other times, too (I mostly don't). And I Cross myself after receiving the Body AND after receiving the Blood AND at the dismissal, most just at the dismissal. It's a PERSONAL thing.... No one seems to give any concern as to how others may or may not do this...

BTW, it took me like a year to notice they don't DO it the same, either! Most do it the Catholic way: from left to right (which seems more natural to me), but the pastor and some of those cradle Lutherans do it from left to right. I've purposely tried to change to that custom - but since it's mostly automatic, I something find I relapse to the RCC way. Doesn't matter. And it seems most that converted from Protestantism don't do it at all. Doesn't matter.



MY $0.01


Pax


- Josiah





.

 

[doulos_tou_kuriou]

I cross myself many times in service and prayer.

And for the record many Lutherans, not just conservative ones cross themselves.

 

[Searching_for_Christ]

This is great to know guys thanks.

 

[alexnbethmom]

i don't cross myself, but Rev does.....

 

[Luther073082]

i don't cross myself, but Rev does.....

Is he back home btw?

 

[alexnbethmom]

Is he back home btw?

nope - he goes back home wednesday.....

 

[Tangible]

I cross myself before daily prayers, at the beginning of the Divine Service, and at several points during the service, especially during the absolution and after receiving the sacrament.

I've noticed that it's mainly younger people in my congregation who cross themselves. I've never seen anyone over 50 or so do it during the service, including our 70 yr old pastor. He makes the sign of the cross toward the congregation, but not for himself.

 

[MaryEmily]

I've seen one person in our congregation do it, other than the pastor. I do it at home, but felt funny doing it when no one else is. Part of the RC upbringing, nuns and all smacking you if you forgot to do it. Seriously, I like doing it. It reminds me every time.

 

[JoshuaNY]

I always make the sign of the cross before I pray. I also do it in church when the Pastor says the Trinitarian formula. And I make the sign before and after receiving communion.

I would say maybe a quarter of the people in my church do it as well. Im not really looking when i do it so I cant be sure.

 

[Rechtgläubig]

I generally cross myself after private prayer.




I sometimes cross my wife too because I have a big mouth.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

I generally cross myself after private prayer.




I sometimes cross my wife too because I have a big mouth.

...you too eh?

 

[Franny50]

I always thought only ex catholics crossed themselves in Lutheran Churches.When I crossed myself in a non denom church,I received a number of stares.

 

[filosofer]

I cross myself in worship, even when I am not leading the service. Not from long ago history. In the 1950’s and 60’s I don’t ever remember any Lutherans who crossed themselves.