Are there any Non Catholics that cross themselves before praying?

[EJTMJR]

Have you ever noticed in movies or TV you can always tell the Catholics because they cross themselves?
Are there any non Catholics out there that cross themselves. If not why not? Don’t we all beieve in the Trinity?

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Hi,
No, simply because I was not raised doing it. I wasnt raised to raise hands in worship so Im not comfortable doing it.

Besides we dont want to look like we’re catholic!!

 

[Scottgun]

You see it in more liturgically-oriented denominations. Some Episcopalians and Lutherans do it.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

You see it in more liturgically-oriented denominations. Some Episcopalians and Lutherans do it.

I believe you but my episcopal church never taught it:shrug: which is why I dont do it.

I should say I dont think there is anything wrong with it. I just think people follow certain things based on what they were taught and exposed to.

 

[Scottgun]

I believe you but my episcopal church never taught it:shrug: which is why I dont do it.

I should say I dont think there is anything wrong with it. I just think people follow certain things based on what they were taught and exposed to.

I should have said one sees it “sometimes” in Episcopal and Lutherans. (I was Lutheran and have been to Episcopal services where there was crossing.) That is to say, if one sees someone crossing and they are not Catholic, then they are likely one of those two as opposed to say, baptists.

 

[ASimpleSinner]

Have you ever noticed in movies or TV you can always tell the Catholics because they cross themselves?
Are there any non Catholics out there that cross themselves. If not why not? Don’t we all beieve in the Trinity?

Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Assyrian Christians all cross themselves. Some especially Catholic-minded Episcopalians (Anglicans) and Lutherans (small, small minotrity) also do so.

 

[DJgang]

Besides we dont want to look like we’re catholic!!

Unfortunately, you statement has a lot of merit.

A lot of non-Catholics, as mentioned in PP, cross themselves, but because of exactly what ALLFORHIM stated, most do not in public.

I do cross myself now, more often, because I will be Catholic soon!

 

[Contarini]

Have you ever noticed in movies or TV you can always tell the Catholics because they cross themselves?
Are there any non Catholics out there that cross themselves.

Sure. Anglicans do it frequently, and the Orthodox do it even more than you guys! Some Lutherans and a few other Protestants do it as well.

Edwin

 

[EmergencyOps]

I did when I first learned about it in RCIA. But after that, I realized there really isn’t a need. I can believe in the Trinity without performing that little tradition. I pray to God in the name of Christ. Christ commanded us to baptise in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but I don’t recall reading about being commanded to pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

-Mark

 

[O.S.Luke]

Some Liturgical Protestants (a term the military uses) cross themselves. Luther in his work Small Catechism prescribed the sign of the cross.

And long before American Express had the slogan, John Chrysostom once wrote, “Never leave home without making the sign of the cross,” and further stated, “You should not just trace the cross with your finger, but you should do it in faith.”

The former head of worship resources for my denomination said this several years ago about making the sign of the cross:

I strongly favor making the sign of the cross and do so regularly in my private prayers and when receiving communion (just before taking the elements and just after) and, as a pastor, I made the sign of the cross toward the congregation when blessing them at the end of the service. In order to do that, I had to do some teaching about what it meant and why I chose to do it.

The sign of the cross will, I predict, come to be more accepted in places where we recover a sense of our having been united with Christ in his death and resurrection in baptism. It is a sign often made on the forehead at baptism, when praying for healing and when a person is dying.

I encourage you to use the sign as a remembrance and claiming of your baptism and as a sign of encouragement to follow Christ as one of his own. If people are uncomfortable with it and you notice their attention and puzzlement, be a teacher and share with them why you do it. Invite them to feel free to make the sign too. I believe we need to be free to raise our hands in praise in worship and to not do so. Why not be equally free to make the sign of the cross, kneel, touch water in the font to our foreheads. Worship is about bodies and movement, not just words and thinking! - The Rev. Daniel Benedict, now retired

Good words. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

O+

 

[Rocky]

Many demoninations, however, do not believe that Baptism is anything more than symbolic. Saying a short prayer acknowledging their faith in Jesus is what unites them to Christ, not being born again of water.

 

[deborahssong]

Rev Daniel Benedict…Thank you so much for that explanation! The best I have heard yet…crossing is an act of worship, dont you agree? Now I didnt use to beleive that however my life has changed so dramatically again in the past months. let me explain…I was born and raised catholic. I left the church in 1984 and then had an awesome encounter with Jesus! He became so real to me and I have never been the same. Now sayng that about one year ago I began to be drawn again to the catholic church and I must tell you I was so floored! I have been involved in leadership in the church i was in, on the pastors staff, head of a ministry, and all and here i was searching to see what catholics actually believe! I know this sir…there are lots of rumors floating around about what the church teaches! and it is sad…I am studying the early writings of the church fathers, the didache, some other writings as well. I am getting ready to order the catechism. My family history is such rich catholic history! I am the great great great great grandaughter of one of the first catholic families who started the catholic church in ky! so me leaving the church was a horrid thing for my family…since then have gotten over that.
I am so hungry for learning all I can learn…and I am finding out how much I never knew about the catholic church…needs to be more done about that within…teaching members about the history, evangelization and just sharing this with others! Jesus said to…anyway I just wanted to share my heart with you sir…Am I ready to come back yet? no…but that is a negotiating answer right now…I am sure of this…I do not beleive in coincidences when we are followers of Jesus! This journey I am on is divine no doubt! may God bless you…

Deborah

 

[bengal_fan]

Have you ever noticed in movies or TV you can always tell the Catholics because they cross themselves?
Are there any non Catholics out there that cross themselves. If not why not? Don’t we all beieve in the Trinity?

i do sometimes. not all the time but i do quite a bit.

 

[Steadfast]

I am among about 5 people at my Lutheran church who cross ourselves during the liturgy whenever the Trinity is invoked.

As for crossing before and/or after prayer, I don’t do that but I’m not against it.

As someone has said, both Lutherans and Anglicans cross themselves though American Lutherans and Anglicans don’t do it very much by and large; i.e. it isn’t all that common though in certain corners of these communions it is.

Lutherans also hold a strong affection for crucifixes, and this is very common.

 

[MrStain]

Rev Daniel Benedict…Thank you so much for that explanation! The best I have heard yet…crossing is an act of worship, dont you agree? Now I didnt use to beleive that however my life has changed so dramatically again in the past months. let me explain…I was born and raised catholic. I left the church in 1984 and then had an awesome encounter with Jesus! He became so real to me and I have never been the same. Now sayng that about one year ago I began to be drawn again to the catholic church and I must tell you I was so floored! I have been involved in leadership in the church i was in, on the pastors staff, head of a ministry, and all and here i was searching to see what catholics actually believe! I know this sir…there are lots of rumors floating around about what the church teaches! and it is sad…I am studying the early writings of the church fathers, the didache, some other writings as well. I am getting ready to order the catechism. My family history is such rich catholic history! I am the great great great great grandaughter of one of the first catholic families who started the catholic church in ky! so me leaving the church was a horrid thing for my family…since then have gotten over that.
I am so hungry for learning all I can learn…and I am finding out how much I never knew about the catholic church…needs to be more done about that within…teaching members about the history, evangelization and just sharing this with others! Jesus said to…anyway I just wanted to share my heart with you sir…Am I ready to come back yet? no…but that is a negotiating answer right now…I am sure of this…I do not beleive in coincidences when we are followers of Jesus! This journey I am on is divine no doubt! may God bless you…

Deborah

Thank you so much for sharing with us and I’ll pray that you remain inspired in your wonderful journey!

 

[Contarini]

I am among about 5 people at my Lutheran church who cross ourselves during the liturgy whenever the Trinity is invoked.

As for crossing before and/or after prayer, I don’t do that but I’m not against it.

As someone has said, both Lutherans and Anglicans cross themselves though American Lutherans and Anglicans don’t do it very much by and large; i.e. it isn’t all that common though in certain corners of these communions it is.

Actually, I’m pretty sure that American Anglicans/Episcopalians do it a lot more than most Anglicans worldwide. You may have hung out with some unusually low church Anglicans. Generally the U.S. represents the “high church” side of Anglicanism more than the “low church,” because the low-church folks have mostly drifted off to other Protestant groups.

I would have thought that the same was true in Lutheranism. But that’s something you obviously know a lot more about than I do!

Edwin

 

[Fidelis]

I did when I first learned about it in RCIA. But after that, I realized there really isn’t a need. I can believe in the Trinity without performing that little tradition.

Catholics cross themselves for many other good other reasons besides it being “a little tradition.” If that was your understanding of it, no wonder you stopped doing it (besides the fact that someone might mistake you for a Catholic ).

I don’t “need” to read and study the Bible, but I do --every day, every chance I get. Something can be very helpful in many ways without being strictly "necessary.

 

[EmergencyOps]

Catholics cross themselves for many other good other reasons besides it being “a little tradition.” If that was your understanding of it, no wonder you stopped doing it (besides the fact that someone might mistake you for a Catholic ).

I don’t “need” to read and study the Bible, but I do --every day, every chance I get. Something can be very helpful in many ways without being strictly "necessary.

Geesh. Why do y’all have to be so right all the time?
You are correct. Things like sacrementals do greatly help in daily life. When I did do the sign of the cross, I did it on my forehead, like the early Christians did. As a Baptist, I have a tendency to think that if it’s not stated in the Bible it is of little or no use. Sorry Old habits die hard.

P.S. I will check out your Catholic Bible Study link. It looks promising. If I learn something, I might share it with my cradle Catholic friends who don’t attend their parish’s bible studies.
-Mark

 

[gcnuss]

This comes from the beginning of our Lutheran worship liturgy:

Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness

Stand

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen

In my congregation, there are only a couple who do make the sign of the cross, but I have been in Lutheran churches where it is very common. I encourage it for the very reason given in the rubric but it isn’t a requirement.

I have had a few people leave our congregation because they think that I am “too Catholic” and my use of the sign of the cross is part of that. Even though the rubric exists in our liturgy, they are convinced that no Lutheran should ever make the sign of the cross. It saddens me that anyone should think that way.

 

[HannahLisa]

I went to an Orthodox church for a year, and the Orthodox cross themselves in a way that is ALWAYS visible and obvious – very large crosses, and sometimes they bow down at the end. They also cross in the direction opposite to the way Catholics and Protestants who cross themselves do.

I grew up in the Episcopal church, which does use the sign of the cross. We crossed ourselves at the end of prayers, though, not at the beginning – unless we said “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” first, which we didn’t do very often if at all (I don’t remember very clearly at the moment).

When I cross myself, it’s at the end of prayers. I also cross myself the way the Orthodox do, even when I’m at Episcopal or Catholic churches – it’s natural now.