why do we make the sign of the cross

Go through these six signings often in your morning prayer — and watch the grace flow through this ancient sacramental in the days to come. Basil the Great tells us that the apostles themselves taught the sign of the cross. WHY WE MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. Words often accompany the sign of the cross, but they are not essential. The two fingers symbolized the divine and human natures of Christ. But when we learn to take this act seriously, signing ourselves often with faith and reverence, remarkable results can take place. The sign of the cross is used in several Christian traditions, but it is most prominent in Catholic and Orthodox tradition. Praying the sign of the cross is so common that we often rush through it without thinking much about it. Now, when we sign ourselves, we are affirming our loyalty to Him. The shape of the sign is a reminder of the cross of Christ. Those who are in holy orders bless by making the sign of the cross in the air toward the persons or things to be blessed, but layfolk bless others only by using their finger, usually the thumb. So when we mark our bodies with the sign, we are embracing whatever pain comes as a consequence of our faith in Christ. This kind of spiritual attack involves not only an increasingly common psychological pathology, but also illustrates that our minds and bodies are connected. By make the sign of the cross, we acknowledge that he has redeemed us, and that through baptism we have … Before we look at why the cross may be made at these places, first a word on how to make the sign of the cross. They said, it’s a good sign. But there is much, much more. It announces our cooperation with Jesus in the indomitable advance of the kingdom of God against the kingdom of darkness. Many worshippers make the sign of the cross with an open hand, their five fingers reminding them of the five wounds of Christ. Both actions remind us of the two thieves who were crucified alongside Christ. Our protection is not the cross, but the Name of God which is a strong tower and the righteous run into it and are saved. Making the sign of the cross, or blessing oneself or crossing oneself, is a ritual blessing made by members of some branches of Christianity. There are several reasons why we make the sign of the cross physically. At the same time, however, it comforts us with the realization that Jesus, who endured the Crucifixion for us, now joins us in our suffering and supports us. From want of reflection, we fail to attach to the Sign of the Cross the importance that it … The Sign of the Cross is primarily a blessing. The Church Fathers say if you are angry, full of lust, fearful, emotional or grappling with fleshly problems, make the sign when tempted and it will help dispel the problem. When we sign ourselves we are declaring that in baptism we died sacramentally with Christ on the cross and rose to a new life with Him (see Rom 6:3-4 and Gal 2:20). The signum crucis, the sign of the cross, is powerful because it marks us as children of God who have thrown off the slavery of Satan and embraced the Cross of Christ as the way to salvation.The Cross destroyed death and hell, and through it, Jesus redeemed the world. Catholics use the sign of the cross daily in Mass and prayer. It still works the same way for us. Why do we make the sign of the cross at Mass after the procession, entrance chant, and the veneration of the Altar? The sign of the cross is made by touching the hand to one’s forehead, then to the chest and then to each shoulder. The sign of the cross was made simply with the fingers (the index or the thumb) on the forehead or lips or breast (as Latin-rite Catholics do at the beginning of the Gospel lesson) or with the whole hand over the torso. The practice of crossing one’s self is an ancient practice and is derived from such passages as Deuteronomy 6:8, Ezekiel 9:4, Revelation 7:3, 9:4, and 14:1. Mass is a service filled with prayers, tradition, and remembrance of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Joining together 2 fingers and thumb we touch first our forehead, then move down to the bottom of the chest, back up and over to the left shoulder, across to the right shoulder. The sign of the cross sets us apart from other men. Historically, the sign has also been viewed as representing the trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As such the body is united in the prayer of the soul though a physical action. It is also used as an improvised prayer to ward off evil or to bless oneself in a time of prayer or need. The sign of the cross speaks and confesses. By the 6th century, people were using the first two fingers, held together to make a large Sign of the Cross, touching the forehead, chest, and shoulders. Bert Ghezzi is the author of numerous books, most recently “The Sign of the Cross: Recovering the Power of the Ancient Prayer” (Loyola, 2006). Both actions remind us of the two thieves who were crucified alongside Christ. The making of the sign of the cross, professing faith both in the redemption of Christ and in the Trinity, was practiced from the earliest centuries. The Church Fathers used the same word for the Sign of the Cross that the ancient world employed to indicate ownership. We make the Sign of the Cross, we sit attentively to the Word, we stand at attention for the Gospel, we bow during a section of Creed, we kneel during the Consecration, and so on. This “lay blessing” is common in Catholic cultures, made by parents on their children before bed or before going out or on a trip. and of the Holy Spirit. – S.M. The sign of the cross represents the victory of Jesus Christ over death. Many also touch their right shoulder up higher than their left shoulder. That much alone would be enough to transform us spiritually, wouldn’t it? They said. First, sign yourself professing your faith in God. Notes: There are slight variations of the triple sign of the cross which are less complicated. Q. The Church Fathers taught that the Sign of the Cross diffused the force of powerful temptations such as anger and lust. Why do we use our right hand instead of our left hand to make the sign of the cross? If we hold three fingers together while making the sign of the cross, they symbolize the trinity, and the two other fingers together represent Christ’s two natures, that he is fully man and fully divine. When we make this sign of the cross, in any form, it’s an outward act to profess our inward faith in the Trinity. In a way, when we combine this gesture with a vocal prayer, we make two prayers. As far as I know, bishops (and priests) in the Roman Empire have always made the sign of the cross as a blessing over the people by writing the sign of the cross in the air. and of the Son If we do not respect this connection, we are open to all kinds of dangers — psychological, physiological, and spiritual. There is nothing superstitious or rote about making the sign of the cross. Man is composed of a soul and a body. The first, most simple reason is it a Prayer. Instead, the Lord surprised him with an ignominious defeat (see 1 Cor 2:8). Answer: The right hand, probably in part due to the fact that most people are right-handed, is traditionally the hand of blessing and greeting in many cultural settings, a convention found in Scripture and Tradition. Through the tradition of the triple cross, we are asking the Lord to bless our minds and our hearts that they will be open to hear the Gospel, so we might proclaim through our lips the good news of Jesus to all the world. The first, most simple reason is it a Prayer. Not all prayers are made with words. Why do we make the sign of the cross at Mass after the procession, entrance chant, and the veneration of the Altar? Jeremy Driscoll O.S.B, writes, “A solemn and more meaningful beginning cannot be imagined.” 1 In thinking of the actual sign of the cross itself Fr. Catholics occasionally make the Sign of the Cross casually, just as a nice gesture for commencing and ending their prayers. Surprisingly, though, there is nothing in the rubrics about the laypeople making this sign. In the name of the Father The sign of the cross is a marker of belief in the Triune God. 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. This kind of spiritual attack involves not only an increasingly common psychological pathology, but also illustrates that our minds and bodies are connected. Unfortunately, such is not always the case, and many people simply go through the motions of the ritual of signing themselves without a knowledge of why they do it. Catholics occasionally make the Sign of the Cross casually, just as a nice gesture for commencing and ending their prayers. First-century Christians began making the sign of the cross as a reminder and renewal of what happened to them when they were baptized. Finally, make the sign to crucify your flesh and to put on Christ and His behaviors. Yes, the sign of the cross is the salute of the true follower of Christ whether he is conqueror or conquered, whether he is German, Chinese, American or Australian. The reason for making a cross during this period of the Mass is to highlight the importance of the Word of … This sign declares that, through our baptism, we belong to God. They said, it will bring God’s blessings into the one who receives that sign—or makes the sign of the cross, it will bring God’s blessing in their life. An indulgence of 300 days for making the sign of the cross, with holy water. This is shown by the fact that the earliest mentions of the sign of the cross speak of it as an already established custom and simply encourage the faithful to make it correctly. It is a powerful prayer, a sacramental of the Church. Because we are both body and soul (a human being is not one or the other; a human being is both! It is a Prayer we say - when words fail us (example in times of an emergency - and i need a result - quick!!). As Hispanic Catholics say when they make the sign of the cross, “By the sign of the holy cross, from our enemies, deliver us, O Lord!”. By making it, we profess the central truths of our faith: that God became one of us, with a human body and soul; that he died on the cross to save us; and that our own bodies and souls share in the same power of the Savior whereby we are freed from sin and death and brought to the resurrection and the life of heaven. Words often accompany the sign of the cross, but they are not essential. [1] X Research source [2] X Research source As this invocation is made, an increasing number of Lutherans trace the sign of the cross over their bodies from forehead to lower chest, then from shoulder to shoulder and back to the heart; and others trace a small cross on their foreheads. We just have to open the door. From the earliest times Christians have made the sign of the cross. I've found that the sign of the cross is a way to put to death self-indulgence — those big problems we have, the stubborn things we can't get rid of. Now, all religions have gestures that express a devout attitude before the divine or heavenly beings they invoke, but the gesture that is most expressly Christian, and used only by Christians, is the sign of the cross. When we sign ourselves we are declaring that in baptism we died sacramentally with Christ on the cross and rose to a new life with him (see Rom 6:3-4 and Gal 2:20). The Sign of the Cross and Our Baptism. When He was still on the earth, Lord Jesus talked and taught the people about the Cross the following: If we hold three fingers together while making the sign of the cross, they symbolize the trinity, and the two other fingers together represent Christ’s two natures, that he is fully man and fully divine. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila questioned the actions of "kings who use violence" to intimidate the weak as he led Palm Sunday observances that opened Holy Week. Many other hand shapes are also in use. Not merely saying, “amen” but sending the holy prayer before the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in declaration and action. We are also acknowledging that baptism joined us to the Body of Christ and equipped us for our role of collaborating with the Lord in His work of rescuing all people from sin and death. At Mass, why do we make the Sign of the Cross on our foreheads, lips and hearts right before the Gospel? In the New Testament, the word fleshsums up all the evil inclinations of our old nature that persist in us even after we die with Christ in baptism (see Gal 5:16-22). It … Sign of Grace, Sign of Glory. From the first Easter morning through the present, the Sign of the Cross makes the devil cower and flee. We also use it, in both large and small versions, to bless others or things, such as a rosary. The Sign of the Cross, after all, is not merely a pious gesture. The reader is exactly right, however: Eastern Catholics (and Eastern Orthodox) make the Sign of the Cross by touching their right shoulder first. At Mass, why do we make the Sign of the Cross on our foreheads, lips and hearts right before the Gospel? The Sign of the Cross is a profession of faith in God as He has revealed himself. Like tossing off a dirty shirt or blouse, making the sign indicates our stripping ourselves of our evil inclinations and clothing ourselves with the behaviors of Christ (see Col 3:5-15). So, let us recognize the power of what we do when we pray, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” It affords us powerful protection against the demons and our own weak nature. I notice, however, that many Catholics do make the sign of the cross at that time. Edward McIlmail, LC. Why do we have to make the Sign of the Cross physically? What is the sign of the cross, and why do we make it? At baptism the Lord claimed us as His own by marking us with the Sign of the Cross. As this invocation is made, an increasing number of Lutherans trace the sign of the cross over their bodies from forehead to lower chest, then from shoulder to shoulder and back to the heart; and others trace a small cross on their foreheads. It would be great if this custom could be revived. In his book “What Happens at Mass,” Fr. Touching our forehead, breast and shoulders (and in some cultures, our lips as well), we declare our belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Why? By make the sign of the cross, we acknowledge that he has redeemed us, and that through baptism we have … When we make this sign of the cross, in any form, it’s an outward act to profess our inward faith in the Trinity. There are slight differences in how it is made between the various rites of the Church, but they are all legitimate. Technically, the sign of the cross is a sacramental, a sacred sign instituted by the Church which prepares a person to receive grace and which sanctifies a moment or circumstance. Because this is the natural way of writing. 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. Amen. Filipino worshippers wave palm fronds in front of crucifix during Palm Sunday Mass March 25 in Manila, Philippines. Making the Sign of the Cross may be the most common of all actions that Catholics do. Answer: The right hand, probably in part due to the fact that most people are right-handed, is traditionally the hand of blessing and greeting in many cultural settings, a convention found in Scripture and Tradition. Nowhere in the Bible, God teaches us that we should make the sign of the cross. Catholics often make the Sign of the Cross casually, just as a nice gesture for beginning and ending their prayers. It is a prayer to God and He knows exactly what we need. So, let us recognize the power of what we do when we pray, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Second, powerful symbolic gestures, when examined up close, say more than one thing. God’s children are hidden with Christ in God, and no one can take us from God’s hand. Along this thought, this gesture has been used since the earliest times of the Church to … From the first Easter morning through the present, the Sign of the Cross makes the devil cower and flee. We are not angels or simply spirits), we pray with both. Every time we listen to the Gospel Jesus is knocking at the door of our heart, waiting to get in. It serves as an abbreviated form of the Apostles’ Creed. (CNS photo/Romeo Ranoco, Reuters) See TAGLE-PALM-SUNDAY March 27, 2018. on Six Reasons Why We Make the Sign of the Cross, Servant of God Julia Greeley: A patron for living a life of mercy toward others, Theological Anthropology 101: The Church’s View on Gender Ideology, Biblical guidelines to Christian cheerfulness, Hearing God Speak: Using the Daily Examen. Signing ourselves also announces another significant truth: with St. Paul, we are celebrating that our afflictions as members of the body of Christ contribute to the Lord’s saving work of perfecting the Church in holiness (see Col 1:24). Narrator: As often as we make the sign of the cross, repeating at the same time these words: [On-screen graphic] An indulgence of 100 days is granted for making the sign of the cross and saying the words. Answered by Fr. Why do we use our right hand instead of our left hand to make the sign of the cross? First-century Christians began making the Sign of the Cross as a reminder and renewal of what happened to them when they were baptized. Now, all religions have gestures that express a devout attitude before the divine or heavenly beings they invoke, but the gesture that is most expressly Christian, and used only by Christians, is the sign of the cross. Prayers may also be made by gestures. The Sign of the Cross is a profession of faith in God as He has revealed himself. Fifth, make the Sign of the Cross as a defense against the devil and as an offensive advance of God’s kingdom against him. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. We don’t see in the New Testament that any of our Lord Jesus’ disciples made the sign of the Cross or taught others to do so. St. This sign declares that, through our baptism, we belong to God. The signum crucis, the sign of the cross, is powerful because it marks us as children of God who have thrown off the slavery of Satan and embraced the Cross of Christ as the way to salvation.The Cross destroyed death and hell, and through it, Jesus redeemed the world. Laypersons as well as clergy can use it to bless others. When we make the sign of the cross, what we are doing is A) remembering our Baptism; B) Remembering Jesus’ death for our sins; C) Confessing to the world that I am not ashamed to be known as a disciple of Jesus; and D) Holding up the cross of Christ as the central core of my identity. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Why do we make the Sign of the Cross? Tomkin learns a very special way to keep Christ close to him throughout the day—THE SIGN OF THE CROSS. Anyway, I hope that helps newbies and even oldies who had never thought about why we do that. Not merely saying, “amen” but sending the holy prayer before the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in declaration and action. Signing ourselves recognizes that we are Christ’s sheep and can count on His care; His soldiers, commissioned to work with Him in advancing His kingdom on earth; and His servants, dedicated to doing whatever He tells us. Follow this tradition in Latin Rite and Protestant churches. But, more importantly, the sign is also an offensive weapon, helping us reclaim with Christ all that Satan lost at the cross. Third, make the sign to declare that you belong to Christ as His disciple and will obey Him. In particular, it is the special salute of the Catholic. The Sign of the Cross and Our Baptism. At Mass, why do we make the Sign of the Cross on our foreheads, lips and hearts right before the Gospel? Others raise the index and middle fingers together, symbolizing Christ's divine and human natures. The reader is exactly right, however: Eastern Catholics (and Eastern Orthodox) make the Sign of the Cross by touching their right shoulder first. Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His substitutionary death on the cross, salvation is extended as a free gift to all of humanity. It still works the same way for us. The sign of the cross is also made during prayer, often on two knees, but it can also be performed standing up, or even lying down, as … Surprisingly, though, there is nothing in the rubrics about the laypeople making this sign. Driscoll After moving from top to bottom they move from left to right. Why do we have to make the Sign of the Cross physically? 1. The same word named a shepherd’s brand on his sheep, a general’s tattoo on his soldiers, a householder’s mark on his servants, and the Lord’s mark on His disciples. We are announcing our faith in what God has done — the creation of all things, the redemption of humanity from sin and death, and the establishment of the Church, which offers new life to all. Right now, you can imprint in your heart these six truths about the Sign of the Cross by making it six times, each time applying one of the perspectives. Should we make the sign of the cross after receiving the Blessed Sacrament? What does the Bible have to say about the sign of the cross? The sign of the cross can be made in any position, but is commonly paired with the act of genuflection (kneeling on one knee as a sign of respect). Why do we make the Sign of the Cross? Christians who practice making the sign of the cross believe it is an acknowledgment of God’s … The use of the sign … Catholics use the sign of the cross daily in Mass and prayer. Surprisingly, though, there is nothing in the rubrics about the laypeople making this sign. Driscoll A. Once we grasp them, we can make the gesture with more faith and experience its great blessings. Fourth, sign yourself to embrace whatever suffering comes and to celebrate your suffering with Christ for the Church. We make the Sign of the Cross, we sit attentively to the Word, we stand at attention for the Gospel, we bow during a section of Creed, we kneel during the Consecration, and so on. We are asking the Lord to renew in us those baptismal graces. The gestures remind our bodies as the words remind our minds of what we believe and what we are doing. The gestures remind our bodies as the words remind our minds of what we believe and what we are doing. At many points in our worship we make the sign of the cross. It is also wrong to believe that the sign of the cross is something magic that protects you from harm. As such the body is united in the prayer of the soul though a physical action. Amen." St. Augustine (d. 430) mentioned and described it many times in his sermons and letters. In a way, when we combine this gesture with a vocal prayer, we make two prayers. –the sign made with the right hand to the forehead. We all make this holy sign, but how many of us give any thought to the mysteries it signifies! This method is more common in the Western Catholic Church, and in Protestant traditions that support the sign of the cross, including most Anglican and Lutheran churches. On one level, then, making the sign is a defensive move, declaring our inviolability to the devil’s influence. Scripture, the Church Fathers and saints, and Catholic teaching offer six perspectives on the Sign of the Cross that reveal why making it opens us to life-transforming graces. There are several reasons why we make the sign of the cross physically. Making the Sign of the Cross expresses our decision to crucify these desires of the flesh and to live by the Spirit. Jeremy Driscoll O.S.B, writes, “A solemn and more meaningful beginning cannot be imagined.” 1 In thinking of the actual sign of the cross itself Fr. 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. When we sign ourselves we are making ourselves aware of God’s presence and opening ourselves to His action in our lives. Because the sign of the cross has been so associated with this Trinitarian formula, when we sign ourselves, we are also marking ourselves as orthodox Christians who worship and love the Triune God. We find ourselves doing measurably better in our Christian life: praying with more passion, resisting our bad inclinations more effectively, and relating to others more kindly. Gospel means "good news." It is the countersign of the Christian. Pray. But when we learn to take this act seriously, signing ourselves often with faith and reverence, remarkable results can take place. Before making the sign of the cross it is better for the communicant to wait a second for some distance to open up between himself and the minister. In his book “What Happens at Mass,” Fr. So, let us recognize the power of what we do when we pray, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” If we use an open hand with all five fingers extended, we express an openness to Christ and symbolize his five wounds. Crossing oneself is an act of sanctification.. Our souls, our bodies, and our lives are sanctified—set … Or what is the Church’s teaching on this subject? Mass is a service filled with prayers, tradition, and remembrance of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In a way, when we combine this gesture with a vocal prayer, we make two prayers. If we use an open hand with all five fingers extended, we express an openness to Christ and symbolize his five wounds. A: The rubrics don’t call for the faithful to cross themselves after receiving Communion. On one level, then, making the sign is a defensive move, declaring our inviolability to the devil’s influence. Technically, the sign of the cross is a sacramental, a sacred sign instituted by the Church which prepares a person to receive grace and which sanctifies a moment or circumstance. When used in this way,the large Sign of the Cross is made in the air. Man is composed of a soul and a body. Sign of Grace, Sign of Glory. When the devil watched Jesus die on the cross, he mistakenly believed he had won a great victory. But when we learn to take this act seriously, signing ourselves frequently with faith and reverence, remarkable results can take place. Making the triple Sign of the Cross like this before the Gospel is a longstanding tradition. So, no matter how strongly we are tempted, we can use the Sign of the Cross to activate our freedom in Christ and conquer even our besetting sins. It is a Prayer we say - when words fail us (example in times of an emergency - and i need a result - quick!!). Second, mark yourself remembering that you died with Christ in baptism. It is thus that the ox and the horse browse on the sweet flowers hidden in the meadow grass, unconscious that they are there. The sign of the cross sets us apart from other men. Making the sign is our taking up the cross and following Him (Lk 9:23). But, more importantly, the sign is also an offensive weapon, helping us reclaim with Christ all that Satan lost at the cross. Along this thought, this gesture has been used since the earliest times of the Church to … We use it to call God's blessing upon us. Making the triple Sign of the Cross like this before the Gospel is a longstanding tradition. The prayer remains the same. Making the triple Sign of the Cross like this before the Gospel is a longstanding tradition. Some athletes make the sign during competition on the field. Many also touch their right shoulder up higher than their left shoulder. If we do not respect this connection, we are open to all kinds of dangers — psychological, physiological, and spiritual. As far as I know, bishops (and priests) in the Roman Empire have always made the sign of the cross as a blessing over the people by writing the sign of the cross in the air. A mini-creed. In those days, Christians made the sign of the cross (Redemption) with three fingers (Trinity) on their foreheads. A. After moving from top to bottom they move from left to right. A. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. The use of three fingers became popular in the 9th century. It is a prayer to God and He knows exactly what we need. We begin and end our prayers with the Sign of the Cross, perhaps not realizing that the sign is …

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