Those who are not Catholics may find benefit in learning more about the sign of the cross. The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. Let me put it this way: like Karl Liam Saur, I wouldnt get too hung up on it either, nor do I think that the modern Latin practice is broken, but I personally would not mind seeing an organic, bottom-up transition to the older form, which we could share with our Orthodox brethren. In the Philippines, this gesture has evolved into simply touching the thumb to the chin. That is why I know a lady who taught her grandchildren the sign of the cross sitting next to them, not vis--vis. The sign of the cross can also be done with holy water. By using our site, you agree to our. More elaborate forms involve the use of three fingers, or making a small cross with the thumb and forefinger. Few of the people who actually notice it have ever said anything, and the only person to ever get cross was an English monk. The immature woman can be highly dramatic and enjoy the drama while still upset or angry at whatever has happened. Reach over to touch your left shoulder and then back to your right shoulder. When I see professional athletes make the sign of the cross during games, I'm not critical of them. It is not enough to form it with the finger. Ghezzi: I think that it's not something to be taken casually. Check it out with a little child: When you stand vis--vis to a kid and try to demonstrate the sign of the cross, the kid will mirror your movements. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Bible Meaning and Purpose. However, they begin with the right shoulder rather than the left, as is the practice of Latin Rite or Western Catholics. If youre blessing someone, hand facing out to some degree and go left to right, ascension. So, while we might consider it a small gesture, it is actually a big deal. After dipping their fingers in holy water when entering a church (this is a reminder of our Baptismal promises), While genuflecting (especially before entering the pew at church), At the beginning of Mass, when the priest blesses you. Basil (ca. Over 3,000 Catholic prayers sorted by topic/keyword. Let us never forget the powerful prayer that is the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. It has vanquished death, destroyed sin, emptied hell, dethroned Satan, and restored the universe. How did the difference between the Eastern and the Western practice emerge? It is the orthodox way, no distortion. 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. You must first make it with faith and good will. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. To all our readers, Please don't scroll past this. In ceremonial usage, making a sign of the cross may be, according to the context, an act Show the volunteers who bring you reliable, Catholic information that their work matters. Holding your 3 fingers together as you make the Sign Of The Cross is another symbol of the Trinity. The sign of the cross is a mark of discipleship. As mentioned above, it is often made by Catholics whenever they enter a church building and again upon exiting. Oriental Orthodox churches typically make the sign from left to right, as in the Western tradition, but sometimes use the Eastern hand shape or their own traditions (such as one finger to symbolize Christ's one nature). Historically, the sign has also been viewed as representing the trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They perform these tasks while fostering communication with WebFather Maggos explains how to make the Sign of the Cross and the meaning and symbolism regarding finger placement and motions. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Cross-Yourself-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cross-Yourself-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5f\/Cross-Yourself-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid134963-v4-728px-Cross-Yourself-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"