the sign of the Cross in public

[MoNiCa4316]

This has probably been discussed a thousand times I'm sorry.. but I was wondering, when you're saying grace before meals, but you're not at home, but let's say, a restaurant.. do you make the sign of the Cross? what if you're alone?

the reason I'm asking, is because I'm starting a new school year at a (secular..) university and every day I'll be eating at the student center cafeteria place.. I want to say grace, but I'm kind of afraid (I know I should not be though).. I don't want to be ashamed? do you think I should make the sign of the Cross after saying grace?

thanks

 

[Tonks]

Follow the advice given in your custom user title.

 

[JennyKatz]

I think you should make the sign if you normally do so. Why allow the judgement of others throw you off your usual behavior? I'm terrible at remembering to say grace, so I rarely do, but I generally do make the sign of the cross, even if I'm in public. The people who know me aren't going to mind and I don't care if the people don't know me do mind.

 

[PassthePeace1]

It's a witness to our faith, so just pray for the strength and courage! And then take a leap of faith, and cross yourself.

 

[MrStain]

Now that we're Catholic we always make the sign of the cross before saying grace -- even in public. If it makes you feel any better we've never had anyone look at us weird when we make that ancient sign of our faith. As the old Nike slogan goes, "Just do it!"

 

[AMDG]

My husband and I aren't ashamed to say grace and sign ourselves when we are out at home or in restaurants. We don't change our usual behavior for the sake of appearances. Isn't that part of freedom of religion?

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Go ahead and cross yourself. It's a good testimony to your faith. Furthermore, it keeps the demons away!

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Thanks everyone

it makes me feel better knowing there are others out there who cross themselves.

I want to do it, because I always do, and I've gotten so used to it... it just feels strange to pray and not make the sign of the cross.

what if you're with Protestant friends? I think in that case I'd still do it, as a witness to my faith.. and I don't see how they would be offended by the Cross?

 

[AMDG]

what if you're with Protestant friends?

Will Protestant relatives do? Mine aren't offended. Probably figure that that's just me.

 

[Gwendolyn]

Yes, I do. Sometimes I am afraid of backlash, but really - you are praying quietly, keeping to yoruself, not forcing anything on anyone. If someone comes up to you and gets angry, or is offended by you, it is NOTHING you did/said - it is all them.

 

[Michie]

This has probably been discussed a thousand times I'm sorry.. but I was wondering, when you're saying grace before meals, but you're not at home, but let's say, a restaurant.. do you make the sign of the Cross? what if you're alone?

the reason I'm asking, is because I'm starting a new school year at a (secular..) university and every day I'll be eating at the student center cafeteria place.. I want to say grace, but I'm kind of afraid (I know I should not be though).. I don't want to be ashamed? do you think I should make the sign of the Cross after saying grace?

thanks

Yep. Do it every time we eat out. You should too. We don't make it showy but if you do it before eating at home why not in public? You are just living your faith. Shouldn't be any skin off anyone's nose.

 

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

This has probably been discussed a thousand times I'm sorry.. but I was wondering, when you're saying grace before meals, but you're not at home, but let's say, a restaurant.. do you make the sign of the Cross? what if you're alone?

the reason I'm asking, is because I'm starting a new school year at a (secular..) university and every day I'll be eating at the student center cafeteria place.. I want to say grace, but I'm kind of afraid (I know I should not be though).. I don't want to be ashamed? do you think I should make the sign of the Cross after saying grace?

thanks

I always make the sign of the Cross and say grace no matter where I am. Find the Newman club other Catholic students and associate with the Catholic community there. This will help.

 

[Rahm]

Will Protestant relatives do? Mine aren't offended. Probably figure that that's just me.

I say go for it Monica. My protestant friends aren't offeneded, in fact, i think they might be a bit envious!!

 

[kisstheson]

Thanks everyone

it makes me feel better knowing there are others out there who cross themselves.

I want to do it, because I always do, and I've gotten so used to it... it just feels strange to pray and not make the sign of the cross.

what if you're with Protestant friends? I think in that case I'd still do it, as a witness to my faith.. and I don't see how they would be offended by the Cross?

Prots ashamed of the cross? make the sign and if they are offended by seeing the sign of the cross made then they have a problem with Jesus. IMO most would not be offended. You could always give them the come back, "what? are you offended by the cross of Christ?"

 

[Memento Mori]

I don't see why they would be offended. It's not an inherently Catholic gesture. People from Protestant denominations do it too.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

cool thanks everyone!

 

[G-Com]

I say grace and make the sign of the cross in public restaurants all the time. Never had an issue.

With all the bad stuff going on here I forgot completely about this, but one of the ladies who works at the local Subway said she thought it was "so cool" that I "prayed before eating."

I gently corrected her that it's called "saying grace."

Here's the one I use (although not always word-for-word because I tend to forget some of them )

Thank you, O Lord for Your gifts which I am about to receive from Your bounty. Through Christ, my Lord. Amen.

 

[G-Com]

By the way, here's a great piece of art I found at Wikipedia:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/40/Grace1918photographEnstrom.jpg