Do all Catholics do the Sign of the Cross when passing a Catholic church?

[Holly3278]

It’s also good to make thge sign of the cross when passing a graveyard. Also when an ambulance passes by.

I have never thought to pray when passing a graveyard but I do pray for a moment when I hear an ambulance. That said, I do not usually cross myself when passing by a Catholic Church though I have done it a few times before. Its not something that I ever really developed in to a habit.

 

[Xochitl_Guzman]

Most of the younger generations today, did not grow up doing this and over time the reverence has/is dying away.

I’m part of that younger generation…I was tought to do the sign of the cross when passing a catholic church, out of respect for the Eucharist…

But I do understand what you’re saying about “dying away” I have a couple of friends who don’t do it because they feel embarrassed. Never understood why. I think it’s such a great blessing that we have the sign of the cross.

But I do often see people do the sign of the cross in the U.S…well California (That’s where I’m at) but I wish a lot more Catholics will stand up for the church and not be embarrassed to do the Sign of the cross…

 

[SacredHeartFan]

here in South Louisiana the only Church you do not make the sign of the cross in front of is the St. Louis Cathedral. The cathedral is in a pedestrian only area so we actually genuflect. It’s really beautiful!

 

[graceandglory]

In Guam, where I am from, we do the Sign of the Cross when we pass a church. I never understood why. Is it just a sign of respect towards the church or was this done during the times of our early church fathers? We would also do it when we pass by a cemetary and/or a car accident.

i notice a lot of the responses sound a bit superstitious.
Last week, over the course of the Triduum, the absence of the Blessed Sacrament really made an impact on me. We opened our new Church bldg for Easter Vigil. I noticed Monday morning, that all of a sudden, I am passing my new Church bldg on the way to work. I noticed the cars in the parking lot, I was so joyful, when I realized I was close to the Blessed Sacrament that I made the sign of the cross.

I get to do this now on a regular basis on my way to work. What a blessing!

We make a sign of the cross when we pass a Catholic Church because Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

 

[pnewton]

This is the first I have heard of this. My wife and I started a few years back saying a Hail Mary for those in an ambulance or at an accident scene, but I just thought that was our little devotion. I applaud any public sign of devotion. We always say grace at restraunts and any time we eat, so making the sign of the cross in public is not an issue.

 

[TracyJ]

This is the first I have heard of this. My wife and I started a few years back saying a Hail Mary for those in an ambulance or at an accident scene, but I just thought that was our little devotion. I applaud any public sign of devotion. We always say grace at restraunts and any time we eat, so making the sign of the cross in public is not an issue.

The first Catholic school I attended did not say a prayer but the second one did.
It’s a logical thing to do so I don’t know why the first school didn’t teach me that.
Also, it’s a comfort to me to say the prayer.
As for making the Sign of The Cross…sometimes I forget…do people still bow their
heads when saying the name of Jesus?

 

[palmas85]

In Guam, where I am from, we do the Sign of the Cross when we pass a church. I never understood why. Is it just a sign of respect towards the church or was this done during the times of our early church fathers? We would also do it when we pass by a cemetary and/or a car accident.

This is also the custom in the Philippines or at least it was when I was younger and in New Orleans where I grew up. I think in many respects it all depends on where you grew up and what your parents did. I always did these things. My youngest daughter, now 30, has never been especially religious nor are any of her friends. They all went to Catholic Schools however and were raised by at least semi traditional Catholic families. All of them cross themselves when passing a Church, a cemetery,and when they see an ambulance going by. If in a car they will all turn the radio down in those instances as well. They also say a Haily Mary, Hail Holy Queen or Glory Be for either the souls in Purgatory of the person in the ambulance.

 

[pnewton]

The first Catholic school I attended did not say a prayer but the second one did.
It’s a logical thing to do so I don’t know why the first school didn’t teach me that.
Also, it’s a comfort to me to say the prayer.
As for making the Sign of The Cross…sometimes I forget…do people still bow their
heads when saying the name of Jesus?

I do in formal settings like Mass, but not in everyday conversation. I do not think I will take up the Sign of the Cross while passing a Church. It strikes me as a little too much directed at the Church. I think I would rather keep it for actual entering the Sanctuary in the presence of Christ. Yes, I always genuflect (except Good Friday).

 

[monicalee209]

I’ve always done this, while passing a church and a cemetary…also for sirens, I’m Mexican, and my parents always did that…and my son does it as well.

 

[Tsuwano]

In Louisiana I’ve seen folks genuflect in the street when walking past a church. As other posters have said, it is done out of respect for the consecrated host in the tabernacle and for the altar where the relics of saints are embedded. Here in Japan where Christians and Catholic churches are few and far between, I think I’ll adapt this custom of making the sign of the cross when passing a church. I think it’s a nice little witness of faith that is very appropriate in a nation like Japan.

 

[LSG]

While driving with a dear Protestant friend, I made the sign of the Cross when we passed a Catholic Church. She asked me why, and I explained that Catholics believe that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. She was very pensive. She often asks more questions about the Catholic Church. You see, I am a revert to the Catholic Faith. In the past, my friend and I attended some Protestant services together. I am so happy that we have remained friends through my return to the Catholic Faith. I am happy when she asks me questions about our teachings, traditions and customs, because I love our Church so much. Mary and the Eucharist brought me home…Jesus is truly wonderful!

 

[datingtrappists]

I make the sign of the cross when I pass a Catholic Church, auto accident, when I hear sirens, and pass a cemetary. When I pass a Church, I say the prayer of Spiritual Communion… for an accident or hearing sirens, I’ll say a prayer to St. Michael and St. Florian for the public servants and a prayer for the people to whom they are responding. When I pass a cemetary, I say either the “Eternal light…” prayer, or a quick prayer for the souls in purgatory.

 

[ConservativeOne]

I think it would be nice to re-instate (if you’ve stopped) the habit of making the Sign of the Cross. Men used to tip their hats, I’m told, but I don’t recall seeing it.

In an age when sports lovers are quick to display their favorite team logos on cars, shirts, etc. - come Super Bowl or other times - why are people so hesitant to make the Sign of the Cross? You’d think they were afraid of being thrown to the lions in ancient Rome, if someone saw them acknowledge that they’re Catholic! (And, if the Church is open, and you have a minute or two - why not stop in?)

 

[pnewton]

In an age when sports lovers are quick to display their favorite team logos on cars, shirts, etc. - come Super Bowl or other times - why are people so hesitant to make the Sign of the Cross?

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[Parce_Domine]

here in South Louisiana the only Church you do not make the sign of the cross in front of is the St. Louis Cathedral. The cathedral is in a pedestrian only area so we actually genuflect. It’s really beautiful!

Hiya, neighbor. Yes it is beautiful, and so is the cathedral.

I was taught to cross myself when passing a church, but I wasn’t taught why. I figured it out later–it wasn’t difficult. I’ve also taught my children to make the Sign of the Cross when driving past the Blessed Sacrament, and passing graveyards, and hearing ambulances and fire trucks. Since I’m usually the one driving, when passing an accident I cross myself and utter a quick, “Lord have mercy!” I figure that covers those who are injured and those who are no longer injured.

I’m so glad to see so many still uphold this tradition, and that of those who don’t now, many are willing to start. In Louisiana, you could influence many Catholics, but across the state line (any one of them), there just aren’t as many Catholics. Still, I’ll keep doing it and keep reminding my kids so they’ll teach their kids the same thing. It’s a beautiful tradition that I would hate to see pass away.

If anyone knows what prayers are traditionally said when passing a graveyard, accident, or when hearing an ambulance, please post them here.

 

[Catholic_Wife]

i make the sign of the cross when i pass a catholic church, auto accident, when i hear sirens, and pass a cemetary. When i pass a church, i say the prayer of spiritual communion… **for an accident or hearing sirens, i’ll say a prayer to st. Michael and st. Florian for the public servants **and a prayer for the people to whom they are responding. when i pass a cemetary, i say either the “eternal light…” prayer, or a quick prayer for the souls in purgatory.

On behalf of my fellow public servants, THANK YOU!!! :hug3:I make the sign of the cross when I pass a Catholic church out of respect for the Blessed Sacrament, when I pass a cemetery, and when I see a fire engine / police car / ambulance pass by. I also make the sign of the cross on the way to a call :bluelite:, and pray for God to guide my mind and hands in my work.

 

[daughteroftruth]

In Guam, where I am from, we do the Sign of the Cross when we pass a church. I never understood why. Is it just a sign of respect towards the church or was this done during the times of our early church fathers? We would also do it when we pass by a cemetary and/or a car accident.

I bow when passing the House of God (any Church in which the Blessed Sacrament is kept) while making the Sign of the Cross. I should probably genuflect…don’t have the humility for that yet I make the Sign when passing a cemetary/accident while praying for the dead/those in need. Keep it up:thumbsup:

 

[JanetF]

I was never taught to do this, but after reading this thread, I shall start doing so. I love CAF:thumbsup:

 

[Tamsulosin]

I love CAF too.Tam

 

[datingtrappists]

On behalf of my fellow public servants, THANK YOU!!! :hug3:I make the sign of the cross when I pass a Catholic church out of respect for the Blessed Sacrament, when I pass a cemetery, and when I see a fire engine / police car / ambulance pass by. I also make the sign of the cross on the way to a call :bluelite:, and pray for God to guide my mind and hands in my work.

You’re welcome! My dad was a police officer for 15 or so years, and I have a brother who was once a fire fighter… I also know a few paramedics, so I have a great deal of respect for those who serve the public (besides, my dad wouldn’t let me do otherwise… ).

I even have started crossing myself when I see a police officer giving someone a ticket… A few years back, there were a couple of cops around here killed while giving someone a ticket, so I pray for their safety. That case was one the biggest reason there now is a state law here to move to the left lane for stopped emergency vehicles. Also, I used to have a really heavy foot :blushing: (I’m really trying hard to repent) , so I know the person getting the ticket probably needs prayers as well…