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Why do Catholics sign the cross?

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nyj

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Originally posted by Hoonbaba
Hi guys,

Here's a simple question: Why do Catholics sign the cross (i.e. after a prayer)?

Does it serve as some sort of reminder?
Just wondering =)

God bless!

-Jason

The Sign of the Cross itself is a prayer as well.

"In the name of the Father (touch hand to forehead), and of the Son (touch hand to heart) and of the Holy (touch hand to left shoulder) Spirit (touch hand to right shoulder)."

It reminds us of the Triune Nature of God. In addition, Eastern Rite Catholics touch their pinky and ring finger to their palm while making a small triangle of their middle and pointing fingers and thumb. The two fingers to the palm are a reminder of Jesus' dual nature (human and divine) while the three fingers (coming to a point) signify the Three Persons but One Nature of God.

The pattern that is made (head to heart to shoulders) is that of a cross, which also reminds us of Jesus' salvific mission... His crucifixion.
 
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AngelAmidala

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Do you consider it okay to do that in other churches?

For example, a couple years ago we had a huge ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service at my church (United Methodist) where we had participants from our own church, along with local Presbyterians, Episcopals, and Catholics.

The Catholic Priest, when coming forward for the processional hymn, crossed himself. I personally didn't find it offensive (in fact, I love watching people do this!) and I don't know how others felt.

But Catholics, would this (crossing one's self in front of the cross at another denomination's church) be something you would approve of or disapprove of?
 
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Hoonbaba

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Originally posted by AngelAmidala
Do you consider it okay to do that in other churches?

For example, a couple years ago we had a huge ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service at my church (United Methodist) where we had participants from our own church, along with local Presbyterians, Episcopals, and Catholics.

The Catholic Priest, when coming forward for the processional hymn, crossed himself. I personally didn't find it offensive (in fact, I love watching people do this!) and I don't know how others felt.

But Catholics, would this (crossing one's self in front of the cross at another denomination's church) be something you would approve of or disapprove of?

One time I went to a Catholic book store, and there was a small chapel, where people go in and pray. I walked in and there were 2 people kneeling before somrthing that looks like an altar (maybe it was an altar), and say they finished their prayer, they signed the cross. I just felt a bit weird because I've never seen it been done in person.

-Jason
 
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ZooMom

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I feel comfortable making the sign of the cross anywhere. I think it should be done in the proper spirit however, with reverence, just as any prayer. My children make the SotC before meals at school. They aren't shy about it because they have not been taught to be. My kids are also starting to pray spontaneously, and I am so happy about it. My two year old has started taking his turn saying the prayer before meals at our house. The older children say the traditional, "Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy Bounty. Through Christ our Lord, Amen." But Riley can only manage, "Peas Dod, Bess us. Amen." And he makes the SotC. :) He is so precious. And we do this as a family before every meal, whether we are at a restaurant, or at the house of family/friends, or at our own home. I am glad that we have been an example for him, and the other children, to regard prayer as a natural occupation, and not something that we should feel self-conscious about. In fact, my children have told me that while visiting friends and eating with their families, they were made extremely uncomfortable when no prayer was said before eating. Being my children, they weren't too shy about going ahead with their own prayer before digging in. :) But I imagine that glances were exchanged over the heads of the little ones. :rolleyes:


The SotC comes very naturally to me now, though I felt a bit awkward with it at first. It is a beautiful blessing, and a humble reminder. Keep the Cross before you always.
 
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ZooMom

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LOL! 'Ollie'.


VOW. :hug:

Psalm 8:2
From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Matthew 21:16
"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, " 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"
 
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VOW

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To Zoo:

I liked the teen who heard the song "Bringing in the Sheaves," and misinterpreted it to, "We shall come from Joisey, bringing in the sheets!"

THE very best was in the movie "Angela's Ashes," where the little Frankie prayed, "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Toast."


Peace,
~VOW
 
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