[touching one shoulder, then the other]Amen.”. Making the sign of the cross is a gesture that says, in shorthand, that a person is Catholic. Around the year 200, Tertullian, an early Christian theologian, wrote about this sign: “In all our travels and movements, in all our coming in and going out, in putting on our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupies us, we mark our forehead with the sign of the cross.” By the fifth century, other Christian writers reveal that the sign of the cross was also being made on the lips and on the chest. Sometimes Catholics make the sign of the cross, with or without words, at other times as well. So on one level, making the sign is a defensive move, declaring our inviolability to the devil’s influence. But the sign of the cross is an ancient tradition with deep theological meaning. Others raise the index and middle fingers together, symbolizing Christ's divine and human natures. The same sign is ubiquitous in Catholic piety. Jesus’ death on the cross was the action by which he destroyed death, so the sign of the cross is a constant reminder of our salvation. One of the main teachings of the early Church Fathers is that the sign of the cross is a declaration of defense against the devil. . I wasn’t aware of its ties to baptism. Why Do We Make the Sign of the Cross? Many worshippers make the sign of the cross with an open hand, their five fingers reminding them of the five wounds of Christ. 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. Many other hand shapes are also in use. Just as it identified those two American soldiers as genuine Catholics, so the sign of the cross will identify you. It is a curious fact that the cross does not appear in Christian art until the fourth century, but the tracing of the cross on the forehead with thumb or index finger is found in popular Christian usage as early as the second century. Priests make the sign not only during the sacraments but use it to impart blessings on people or objects. We only know that God is a Trinity because God revealed this to us. This “lay blessing” is common in Catholic cultures, made by parents on their children before bed or before going out or on a trip. Why do Catholics make the sign of the cross? 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…[i According to the book on the catechism of the Catholic Church, making the sign of the cross is a prayer for deliverance from their enemies. 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. … 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. 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. Along this thought, this gesture has been used since the earliest times of the Church to … The sign of the cross, in words and in action, reminds us of the two central realities of our faith: who God is (the Trinity) and what God has done for us (the Cross). The thumb is often bent to touch the ring finger in the two-finger position. Tertullian (see above) recommended that the faithful mark themselves with the sign of the cross at all times because of its power in bringing Jesus’ sacrifice into their daily lives. 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. Why do catholics make sign of the cross? A person is “who” someone is. But more importantly, the sign is also an offensive weapon, helping us reclaim with Christ all that Satan lost at the cross. It’s kind of a quick prayer on their behalf. Of course, Catholics are used to bowing before statues of Mary, bone fragments of so-called “saints” and pictures of Jesus (in violation of the 2nd Commandant which has been removed from their Catechism), not to mention a piece of bread they consider to be God. There are several theological interpretations of that difference. The shape of the sign is a reminder of the cross of Christ. A husband and wife, no matter how closely united, are still two separate beings. Despite its simplicity, the Sign of the Cross is an ancient prayer rich in meaning. Why Do Catholics Make the Sign of the Cross? God, as a Trinity, exists in three Persons. Catholics should not even be doing it because it is wrong. As Catholics, it’s something we do when we enter a church, after we receive Communion, before meals, and every time we pray. Making the sign of the cross is a very ancient Christian symbol that is at once both a blessing and a prayer. A love and devotion toward this sacred sign is the mark of a true follower of Christ. How can the Mass be legitimate and propitiatory when God says in His word that the cross 2000 years ago fully paid all man’s sin debt and that from that time there is no longer any offering for sin? This makes a little cross. 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. We begin our prayers with the sign of the cross. For Roman Catholics, there is a quick gesture that can often go unnoticed before the recitation of the Gospel reading at Mass. Thanks for the explanation, SuscipeMeDomine. The sign of the cross speaks and confesses. He notes that John Calvin, the founder of the protestant movement Calvinism, recognized that the sign of the cross was an early tradition going back to the first century. St. Cyril of Jerusalem expresses the power of the Cross very well: Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on our brow, and on everything; over the bread we eat, and the cups we drink; in our comings in, and goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we rise up; when we are in the way, and when we are still. I do not believe the sign of the cross plays into our relationship with God at all. Over time, Christians began making large crosses over their bodies as Catholics do today. You’ve probably seen your Catholic friends do it or at least you’ve likely seen it on TV as it is often referenced. Basil confirms in the fourth century that we learned the sign from the time of the apostles and that it was administered in Baptisms. Most Eastern Christians do it in a different order: From top to bottom and then from right to left. First of all, let me make it clear that making the sign of the cross is not a commandment of God. Lots of Christians actually do make the sign of the cross when they pray. 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. Offbeat — 01 July 2013. We use the thumb sign of the cross on forehead, lips, and breast before the reading of the gospel. Stop violating God’s Word by usurping it with man-made tradition. From childhood, Catholics are taught to make the sign of the cross, saying: “In the name of the Father, [while touching the right hand to the forehead]and of the Son, [moving the hand to the chest]and of the Holy Spirit. Why do Catholics make the sign of the cross. Pray the sign of the cross often and be mindful of what it means in the life of the Church and in your own life! This is a great mystery that not even the most intelligent theologian or the holiest saint could ever fully comprehend. It appears as an icon in popular culture, and as a gesture it is scattered throughout film history. 8). .” is common and universal in the Catholic Church. A common Byzantine formula used while signing oneself is, “Blessed is our God at all times now and always and forever. Ghezzi: Yes, the sign of the cross is used by Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians, particularly in baptisms. It appears as an icon in popular culture, and as a gesture it is scattered throughout film history. But it actually goes all the way back to the Apostles. With the sign of the cross, we Catholics, for the most part use the same hand gesture which has the same exact meaning of the Orthodox Churches; that is the index finger pointing strait up forming the Greek I, the middle finger crossing the thumb forming the Greek Χ; while the middle finger curving forming the Greek Ϲ (Capital Lunate Sigma). While our words in the prayer of the sign of the cross are an invocation of the Trinity, the shape of the cross we make during this prayer are a reminder of the cross of Christ. Its witness to a faith that is ever ancient, yet ever new is yet another way the Sign of the Cross symbolizes the heart of what we believe and practice as Catholics. It would be great if this custom could be revived. From the earliest days of the Church, Christians understood that the cross of Christ has great power. The use of the sign of the cross traces back to early Christianity, with the second century Apostolic Tradi 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.” Many Catholics will cross themselves when they pass by a Catholic church or chapel where the Eucharist is present. What is the sign of the cross all about? Let it take in your whole being—body, soul, mind, will, thought, feelings, your doing and not-doing—and, by signing it with the cross, strengthen and consecrate the whole in the strength of Christ, in the name of the triune God. At the liturgy and in various sacramental rites, the priests trace the sign of the cross over persons and objects. Obviously making physical movements with the body is not prayer. "In all our travels and movements", says Tertullian (De cor. That helps fill in the gaps for me some. Crossing oneself or making the sign of the cross has become synonymous with the Roman Catholic faith. The sign of the cross often introduces and closes other prayers, but it is a prayer in itself and can also be prayed on its own. > Why don't Christians make the sign of the cross when they pray? Catholics often make the Sign of the Cross casually, just as a nice gesture for beginning and ending their prayers. Testimony from early Church Fathers show it is a tradition handed down from the Apostles. They are not kissing their hand. 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. When you sign yourself, you are declaring to the devil, "Hands off. Here are 21 things: 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. We also make the sign in the name of the Holy Trinity by invoking Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Some may make the sign as they drive past a cemetery as a quick prayer for the dead who are buried there. Catholic and Orthodox parishioners make the “sign of the cross” before personal prayers, upon entering a church, at various points during worship, and otherwise. Some may make the sign as they drive past a cemetery as a quick prayer for the dead who are buried there.