A devotion to the sign of the cross

[toknowservelove]

I read an article several years ago, and I have no idea where. It was about making the sign of the cross nine times. Each time was for a special purpose or intention. I seem to remember the author saying that this was an old practice. Has anyone here ever heard of something like this? For some reason I have it in my head/ heart to find it. Thanks and God bless.

 

[Hesychios]

Nine is highly symbolic, both inside and outside of Christianity. This probably has many reasons, but perhaps the most significant is that it is the product of 3 x 3, which suggests perfection. It is also the largest possible single digit number, suggesting finality.

Nine is important to Chinese, nine dragons represent the power of the emperor and that symbolism was always reserved to him. The Bahai have a nine-sided temple.

I have seen Filipinos sign themselves multiple times very rapidly, it may be nine times, and I wonder if this is an old Spanish custom or if it possibly originated in the Philippines. It may be connected somehow to what you mention here.

Hopefully someone from that tradition can enlighten us.

 

[MartinJordan]

Perhaps it is connected with the Novena (which means 9)?

MJ

 

[jdc209]

Nine is highly symbolic, both inside and outside of Christianity. This probably has many reasons, but perhaps the most significant is that it is the product of 3 x 3, which suggests perfection. It is also the largest possible single digit number, suggesting finality.

Nine is important to Chinese, nine dragons represent the power of the emperor and that symbolism was always reserved to him. The Bahai have a nine-sided temple.

I have seen Filipinos sign themselves multiple times very rapidly, it may be nine times, and I wonder if this is an old Spanish custom or if it possibly originated in the Philippines. It may be connected somehow to what you mention here.

Hopefully someone from that tradition can enlighten us.

I’m Filipino but I’ve never seen people do the whole cross themselves rapidly thing. Maybe your referring to when people often make a small cross over their forehead, mouth, and heart and finish with a full sign of the cross, all in rapid succession, when the Gospel is read at Mass to symbolize how the Gospel should always be in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.

The Filipino way to cross one’s self is to do the Sign of the Cross and make a cross with your thumb and pointer finger and kissing your thumb to symbolize kissing the cross. This custom is very Hispanic since Mexicans, Filipinos, Spaniards, etc. do it. I had a whole thread devoted to the Sign of the Cross: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=356640

 

[Robert_Burns]

I read an article several years ago, and I have no idea where. It was about making the sign of the cross nine times. Each time was for a special purpose or intention. I seem to remember the author saying that this was an old practice. Has anyone here ever heard of something like this? For some reason I have it in my head/ heart to find it. Thanks and God bless.

The Indulgences.
Has the Church granted any indulgences for the sign of the cross? She has. In 1863 Pope Pius IX gave an indulgence of fifty days to all who make that sacred sign and say: " In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." An indulgence of one hundred days is given if holy water is used when the sign of the cross is made.

[Editors note: The above text on the grant by Pius IX is included for historical purposes. More up to date is The Enchiridion of Indulgences of 1968 which states at grant 55: "A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who devoutly sign themselves with the sign of the cross, while saying the customary words: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. "] [For more on Roman Catholic Indulgences see the page on our site.]

This holy symbol of our salvation, then, should be frequently used by us. It teaches us our true dignity. It reminds us that we are the brethren of Jesus Christ. In making the sign of the cross we become partakers in the wonderful history of our faith, and companions of the glorious saints of our Church. We are soldiers, and this is our weapon. The cross of our Redeemer has vanquished death, has overthrown the dominion of Satan. Let us, then, re-echo the words of St. Paul: “God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church says at section 2157. “The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’ The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior’s grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties.”