M
MarianD
Guest
I have a simple question. Are you supposed to cross yourself before and after praying, only before, or only after?
- Status
S
stanncie
Guest
I don’t know that it’s a rule but as a cradle catholic i’ve always crossed myself before and after.
J
jmcrae
Guest
I think it’s up to you. Some people don’t cross themselves at all, unless they are praying with other people who do.
The Sign of the Cross is, itself, a distinct small prayer of its own, so you can use it by itself, too, if you want to.
B
basenji
Guest
It depends on when and where and also the context of the prayer. Sometimes both, sometimes one or the other, sometimes neither. But then again, I often pray without words so the the sign of the cross is often “silent” then perhaps as well.
E
Elizium23
Guest
Following the model of the perfect prayer, which is the Mass, we would normally make the Sign of the Cross before and after a prayer. There can be exceptions, though. In meetings of the Society of St. Vincent dePaul, we make the Sign of the Cross before the opening prayer, and after the closing prayer, and by “omitting” the Sign in this way, we make the whole meeting a prayer.
In the end, it is your personal devotion and really up to you what you do in private prayer.
In the end, it is your personal devotion and really up to you what you do in private prayer.
J
JM3
Guest
CCC 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.
J
JM3
Guest
This may be of interest also.
From Pope Benedict’s General Audience of 17 September 2008 -
“In fact, on appearing to Bernadette in the Grotto of Massabielle, the first gesture Mary made was the Sign of the Cross, in silence, without speaking. And Bernadette imitated her, making the Sign of the Cross in turn, although with a trembling hand. And so Our Lady began her initiation into the essence of Christianity: the Sign of the Cross is the epitome of our faith and by making it with an attentive heart, we enter into the full mystery of our salvation. That gesture of Our Lady contains the whole message of Lourdes!”
The whole text is here: vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20080917_en.html
From Pope Benedict’s General Audience of 17 September 2008 -
“In fact, on appearing to Bernadette in the Grotto of Massabielle, the first gesture Mary made was the Sign of the Cross, in silence, without speaking. And Bernadette imitated her, making the Sign of the Cross in turn, although with a trembling hand. And so Our Lady began her initiation into the essence of Christianity: the Sign of the Cross is the epitome of our faith and by making it with an attentive heart, we enter into the full mystery of our salvation. That gesture of Our Lady contains the whole message of Lourdes!”
The whole text is here: vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2008/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20080917_en.html
J
JRKH
Guest
From the answers it can be seen that the correct answer is, whatever is comfortable for you.
I would say that the vast majority of the times, Catholics use the sign of the cross to “initiate” a period of prayer, and then to end the period of prayer.
But obviously there are no hard and fast rules about it.
Peace
James
J
JM3
Guest
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
“The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross”
What part of this sentence is in greek?
J
JRKH
Guest
The correction is appreciated - The “greek” comment was not necessary.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
“The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross”
What part of this sentence is in greek?
The Catholic Church recognizes that there are people outside of the boundaries of the RCC who rightly are called Christians and brothers. Many of these do not use the sign of the cross. So - are they not Christians?
**CCC 818 **one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers …All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church
If the catechism calls those outside the confines of the RCC “Christians” and many of these do not use the sign of the cross at any time, just how “hard and fast” (my term) a rule is the reference in para 2157.
Peace
James
J
JM3
Guest
How hurt and sad must your mother become, before you learn to obey?
J
JM3
Guest
When your mother tells you to do something and you reply, “but mom, they’re not doing it.” How do you think your mother will feel? How do you think she will respond?
How can your Father respect you, if you refuse to respect your Mother?
E
ElizabethPH
Guest
Before and after. I always begin and end my day with the Sign of the Cross. And do it throughout the day as called for, with or without prayer. I bless myself when I enter the church and use the Holy Water; I do this upon leaving and entering my home as well. I bless myself again when I genuflect. When I stop and think about it, I bless my self a lot throughout the day. I don’t think you can ever bless your self to much.
God Bless
H
HCC
Guest
You can cross yourself whenever you feel inclined, it is a form of prayer in itself. It is traditional to cross oneself before and after prayers, during certain prayers (eg, God, come to my assistance or Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord…), when you need comfort or feel in danger, with the crucifix on your rosary before and after, with a blessed object (eg, crucifix, medal, relic…)
J
jmcrae
Guest
It’s also a worthwhile practice to get into the habit of making the sign of the Cross any time you pass a Catholic Church, to acknowledge Jesus in its Tabernacle.
I have also known people who made the Sign of the Cross any time they passed a graveyard or abortuary, to remember the souls of the dead.
E
EmeraldWings
Guest
from the Urban Catechism -
"The sign of the cross is a sign whereby we outwardly profess that we are Christians.
Before the time of Christ the cross was a sign of shame, ignorance and dishonor.
It was branded upon the forehead of criminals, so as to disgrace them before the whole world. But this was not to remain so. Through Jesus, the sign of the cross became honorable. Religious history relates the following: The Emperor Constantine, while yet a heathen, took the field against his enemy Maxentius. But the enemy’s army was for stronger than his. Then Constantine prayed fervently to the true God for His assistance, and behold there was visible in the heavens to him and his whole army a brilliant cross with the inscription: “By this sign shalt thou conquer!” Constantine has a standard made like this cross, and had it carried before him in battle. He fought the enemy courageously and defeated him. From that time (it was the year 312 after Christ,) Constantine was the champion and protector of Christianity. The Cross now become a sign of honor and victory. It gleamed upon the crown of Constantine, and was displayed at Rome, which formerly was the headquarters of paganism, high up the Capitoline Hill, to proclaim the triumph of the crucified Savior to the whole world.
the word “cross” has a threefold meaning.
First, it signifies the wood, the cross beams, which Jesus dragged up to Calvary, under the weight of which He sank again and again to the ground, to which He was nailed with hands and feet, and upon which He hung for three hours in the most excruciating agony, until He drooped His head and died.
Secondly, it signifies the sign which we make with our hand to remind us of the sacrifice of the cross, or as a blessing.
Thirdly, the word “cross” signifies that suffering and tribulation with which Divine Providence visits us, and which we should bear with patience and resignation to the will of God. Therefore Christ said : “Take up thy cross, and follow me!”
The sign of the cross can be made in two ways, hence we speak of a “large” and a “small” cross. The large cross it make thus: We put the right hand to the forehead, than on the beast, and then to the left and right shoulders, saying: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” We touch the forehead to signify that Christ, the Son of Gos, was from all eternity with the Father, and is equal to the Father in His essence. When we touch the breast it should remind us that Jesus descended from heaven into the virginal womb of Mary and became incarnate. The touching of both shoulders should remind us that the Holy Ghost proceeds at the same time from the Father and from the Son. We pass from the left to the right side, to remind us that by the death of Christ upon the cross, we were brought from the left of damnation, to the right of salvation.
The small cross is made in this way: We open our right hand, and with the thumb we make the sign of a small cross" 1, upon the forehead; 2, the mouth; 3, the breast. This also has its meaning: We make the sign of the cross upon the forehead because it is part of the head which is the seat of reason. Words come from the mouth, and desires and intentions from the heart. We should remember, therefore, that all our thoughts, words, and works should have reference to God, that we should know God with our reason, confess Him with our mouth, and love Him with our heart.
Never make the sign of the cross thoughtlessly! The priest gives every Benediction and blessing in and out of the Church in the form of the cross. This is to remind us that every blessing comes to us by the grace of the Most Blessed Trinity, and that by the death of Christ we partake in the greatest blessing and in the greatest benefits.
The sign of the cross reminds us of two of the most important mysteries of our holy religion, namely: 1. The mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity; and 2. The mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God.
The custom of making the sign of the cross is very old and descends from the Apostolic times. From the earliest says of the Church the faithful have been baptized, anointed, consecrated and blessed with the sign of the cross.
When should we make the sign of the cross?(this is what you have been waiting for :3 )
It is good and wholesome to make it frequently, especially when we rise, and when we go to bed, before and after prayers, and in all temptations and dangers
When we make the sign of the cross on rising, it ought to remind us:
**1. **That we should recommend ourselves to God’s protection during the day.
2. That during the day we should do only what will tend to the praise, honor and glory of the Most Blessed Trinity; and
**3. **That we should bear with patience and for the love of God all sufferings and contradictions, all crosses which God sends us, and especially the difficulties of our state of life and calling.
When we make the sign of the cross at night before lying down to sleep, we should commend ourselves thereby during the night to the Almighty protection of God, in which we shall sleep safely and without fear.
The sign of the cross at night reminds us of the blessings which the Most Blessed Trinity has granted us during the day, and exhorts us to return fervent thanks for them at the end of the day.
The cross at night also reminds us of the false steps, of the great and small sins which we committed during the day whereby we offended God and nailed Him afresh to the cross, and exhorts us thereby to renounce our sinful lives. How unfortunate would it be for us if God were to call us to His judgment seat during the night?
"The sign of the cross is a sign whereby we outwardly profess that we are Christians.
Before the time of Christ the cross was a sign of shame, ignorance and dishonor.
It was branded upon the forehead of criminals, so as to disgrace them before the whole world. But this was not to remain so. Through Jesus, the sign of the cross became honorable. Religious history relates the following: The Emperor Constantine, while yet a heathen, took the field against his enemy Maxentius. But the enemy’s army was for stronger than his. Then Constantine prayed fervently to the true God for His assistance, and behold there was visible in the heavens to him and his whole army a brilliant cross with the inscription: “By this sign shalt thou conquer!” Constantine has a standard made like this cross, and had it carried before him in battle. He fought the enemy courageously and defeated him. From that time (it was the year 312 after Christ,) Constantine was the champion and protector of Christianity. The Cross now become a sign of honor and victory. It gleamed upon the crown of Constantine, and was displayed at Rome, which formerly was the headquarters of paganism, high up the Capitoline Hill, to proclaim the triumph of the crucified Savior to the whole world.
the word “cross” has a threefold meaning.
First, it signifies the wood, the cross beams, which Jesus dragged up to Calvary, under the weight of which He sank again and again to the ground, to which He was nailed with hands and feet, and upon which He hung for three hours in the most excruciating agony, until He drooped His head and died.
Secondly, it signifies the sign which we make with our hand to remind us of the sacrifice of the cross, or as a blessing.
Thirdly, the word “cross” signifies that suffering and tribulation with which Divine Providence visits us, and which we should bear with patience and resignation to the will of God. Therefore Christ said : “Take up thy cross, and follow me!”
The sign of the cross can be made in two ways, hence we speak of a “large” and a “small” cross. The large cross it make thus: We put the right hand to the forehead, than on the beast, and then to the left and right shoulders, saying: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” We touch the forehead to signify that Christ, the Son of Gos, was from all eternity with the Father, and is equal to the Father in His essence. When we touch the breast it should remind us that Jesus descended from heaven into the virginal womb of Mary and became incarnate. The touching of both shoulders should remind us that the Holy Ghost proceeds at the same time from the Father and from the Son. We pass from the left to the right side, to remind us that by the death of Christ upon the cross, we were brought from the left of damnation, to the right of salvation.
The small cross is made in this way: We open our right hand, and with the thumb we make the sign of a small cross" 1, upon the forehead; 2, the mouth; 3, the breast. This also has its meaning: We make the sign of the cross upon the forehead because it is part of the head which is the seat of reason. Words come from the mouth, and desires and intentions from the heart. We should remember, therefore, that all our thoughts, words, and works should have reference to God, that we should know God with our reason, confess Him with our mouth, and love Him with our heart.
Never make the sign of the cross thoughtlessly! The priest gives every Benediction and blessing in and out of the Church in the form of the cross. This is to remind us that every blessing comes to us by the grace of the Most Blessed Trinity, and that by the death of Christ we partake in the greatest blessing and in the greatest benefits.
The sign of the cross reminds us of two of the most important mysteries of our holy religion, namely: 1. The mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity; and 2. The mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God.
The custom of making the sign of the cross is very old and descends from the Apostolic times. From the earliest says of the Church the faithful have been baptized, anointed, consecrated and blessed with the sign of the cross.
When should we make the sign of the cross?(this is what you have been waiting for :3 )
It is good and wholesome to make it frequently, especially when we rise, and when we go to bed, before and after prayers, and in all temptations and dangers
When we make the sign of the cross on rising, it ought to remind us:
**1. **That we should recommend ourselves to God’s protection during the day.
2. That during the day we should do only what will tend to the praise, honor and glory of the Most Blessed Trinity; and
**3. **That we should bear with patience and for the love of God all sufferings and contradictions, all crosses which God sends us, and especially the difficulties of our state of life and calling.
When we make the sign of the cross at night before lying down to sleep, we should commend ourselves thereby during the night to the Almighty protection of God, in which we shall sleep safely and without fear.
The sign of the cross at night reminds us of the blessings which the Most Blessed Trinity has granted us during the day, and exhorts us to return fervent thanks for them at the end of the day.
The cross at night also reminds us of the false steps, of the great and small sins which we committed during the day whereby we offended God and nailed Him afresh to the cross, and exhorts us thereby to renounce our sinful lives. How unfortunate would it be for us if God were to call us to His judgment seat during the night?
E
EmeraldWings
Guest
**
Thirdly, we make the sign of the cross before and after prayers. **
This should remind us of the words of Christ: “Whatsoever you ask the Father in my name, that He will give you.”
But it should also remind us of the merciful meditation of our divine Saviour with our heavenly Father, without which our prayer could not expect a hearing.
Fourthly, it is a beautiful custom to make the sign of the cross before every important undertaking. Therefore the Apostle St. Paul says: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things to the glory of God.” Ought we to be ashamed, then, to make the sign of the cross before leaving the house or undertaking a journey? Is it a disgrace if we bless the bread that we are about to eat with the sign of the cross? Certainly not! Of course the custom of making the sign of the cross must not be used for superstitious purposes. For instance, it would be foolishness and sinful for a person to make the sign of the crossover the bread before it is baked, with the sole intention and belief of protecting it from witchcraft.
Fifthly, we should make the sign of the cross in all temptations and dangers. Temptations are those occasions whereby we are encouraged to sin. Now sin being the greatest evil, being indeed even greater than the death of the body, it is very evident that if we are afraid of sinning, we ought to make the sign of the cross so as to ward off temptation. If it was through the sign of the cross that the Emperor Constantine was helped to gain the victory, why should it not help us to gain the victory over our greatest enemy?
However, not only in dangers which threaten our salvation, but in bodily dangers, too, we should make the sign of the cross. Everyone in danger looks for protection and help. And if in any great danger we commend ourselves to the protection of the Almighty, to Him who can protect and help us in every necessity, is this a sin or foolishness? Certainly not. Never be ashamed, therefore, in the time of danger to have recourse to God; He will not let you be disgraced.
Why is it wholesome to make the sign of the cross frequently?
Answer: “Because, by devoutly making the sign of the cross, we arm ourselves against the snares of the devil, and draw the blessings of heaven upon us.”
The sign of the cross should be made devoutly, and not thoughtlessly. When it is made devoutly it arms us against the snares of the devil. We use arms to combat a powerful enemy or opponent. The devil is a powerful opponent of ours, for his thoughts and actions are constantly directed towards accomplishing our ruin, i.e., to lead us into temptation. If we do not want to be overcome in the combat with the enemy, we must be prudent, and fight valiantly. There is no better weapon to use against the devil than the sign of the cross. The cross is also a sign of victory.
Before it the tempter flies, by the sign of the cross he loses his power.
Through the sign of the cross the blessing of heaven descends upon us.
A cup of poisoned wine was once handed to St. John. He made the sign of the cross over it, drank the contents, and it did not hurt him. In this way are all the blessings of the Church given, bu the sign of the cross.
A cross is given to the dying, to encourage them to be resigned to the divine will, and to confide in the divine mercy.
Who ever suffered more. or more innocently than Jesus Christ? Cam we then have a more exalted model in death?
We also adorn the graves of the departed with a cross. The cross upon a grave reminds us, in the first place, of the resurrection of Jesus, and at the same time of our own resurrection from amongst the dead. Jesus by His resurrection triumphed over death, and on the tree of the cross gained the victory over it, and we also, and all the dead, shall rise again from the grave and triumph over death. The cross upon the grave should remind us also that the departed believe in Christ, and died trusting in Him."
Well that was alot to type out, but i thought you might like it :3 and if you did like it, then maybe you would be interested in buying the books it came from, it’s called “Teachers handbook to the catechism” by Rev. A. Urban. there are volumes 1, 2, and 3.
you can get it here - bookfinder.com/search/?author=rev.+a.+urban&title=&lang=en&isbn=&submit=Begin+search&new_used=*&destination=us¤cy=USD&mode=basic&st=sr&ac=qr
ok well i hope this helps, take care.
Thirdly, we make the sign of the cross before and after prayers. **
This should remind us of the words of Christ: “Whatsoever you ask the Father in my name, that He will give you.”
But it should also remind us of the merciful meditation of our divine Saviour with our heavenly Father, without which our prayer could not expect a hearing.
Fourthly, it is a beautiful custom to make the sign of the cross before every important undertaking. Therefore the Apostle St. Paul says: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things to the glory of God.” Ought we to be ashamed, then, to make the sign of the cross before leaving the house or undertaking a journey? Is it a disgrace if we bless the bread that we are about to eat with the sign of the cross? Certainly not! Of course the custom of making the sign of the cross must not be used for superstitious purposes. For instance, it would be foolishness and sinful for a person to make the sign of the crossover the bread before it is baked, with the sole intention and belief of protecting it from witchcraft.
Fifthly, we should make the sign of the cross in all temptations and dangers. Temptations are those occasions whereby we are encouraged to sin. Now sin being the greatest evil, being indeed even greater than the death of the body, it is very evident that if we are afraid of sinning, we ought to make the sign of the cross so as to ward off temptation. If it was through the sign of the cross that the Emperor Constantine was helped to gain the victory, why should it not help us to gain the victory over our greatest enemy?
However, not only in dangers which threaten our salvation, but in bodily dangers, too, we should make the sign of the cross. Everyone in danger looks for protection and help. And if in any great danger we commend ourselves to the protection of the Almighty, to Him who can protect and help us in every necessity, is this a sin or foolishness? Certainly not. Never be ashamed, therefore, in the time of danger to have recourse to God; He will not let you be disgraced.
Why is it wholesome to make the sign of the cross frequently?
Answer: “Because, by devoutly making the sign of the cross, we arm ourselves against the snares of the devil, and draw the blessings of heaven upon us.”
The sign of the cross should be made devoutly, and not thoughtlessly. When it is made devoutly it arms us against the snares of the devil. We use arms to combat a powerful enemy or opponent. The devil is a powerful opponent of ours, for his thoughts and actions are constantly directed towards accomplishing our ruin, i.e., to lead us into temptation. If we do not want to be overcome in the combat with the enemy, we must be prudent, and fight valiantly. There is no better weapon to use against the devil than the sign of the cross. The cross is also a sign of victory.
Before it the tempter flies, by the sign of the cross he loses his power.
Through the sign of the cross the blessing of heaven descends upon us.
A cup of poisoned wine was once handed to St. John. He made the sign of the cross over it, drank the contents, and it did not hurt him. In this way are all the blessings of the Church given, bu the sign of the cross.
A cross is given to the dying, to encourage them to be resigned to the divine will, and to confide in the divine mercy.
Who ever suffered more. or more innocently than Jesus Christ? Cam we then have a more exalted model in death?
We also adorn the graves of the departed with a cross. The cross upon a grave reminds us, in the first place, of the resurrection of Jesus, and at the same time of our own resurrection from amongst the dead. Jesus by His resurrection triumphed over death, and on the tree of the cross gained the victory over it, and we also, and all the dead, shall rise again from the grave and triumph over death. The cross upon the grave should remind us also that the departed believe in Christ, and died trusting in Him."
Well that was alot to type out, but i thought you might like it :3 and if you did like it, then maybe you would be interested in buying the books it came from, it’s called “Teachers handbook to the catechism” by Rev. A. Urban. there are volumes 1, 2, and 3.
you can get it here - bookfinder.com/search/?author=rev.+a.+urban&title=&lang=en&isbn=&submit=Begin+search&new_used=*&destination=us¤cy=USD&mode=basic&st=sr&ac=qr
ok well i hope this helps, take care.
B
beth40n2
Guest
I think it is a matter of preference. I cross myself before and after prayer. I also do it through out the day as a breath prayer.
J
JRKH
Guest
If my mother knows that others don’t do it, and she is OK with that, and calls those others her children, even though they don’t live in the same house, then I suspect that she would not be angry with me for mentioning it. I believe she would respond, "Well it’s a good idea to make the sign of the cross often, but it isn’t a hard and fast rule either. Your Father won’t punish you over it, so long as you Love Him and do all things in Love.
Frankly, when it comes to earning the respect of My heavenly Father, I have far larger faults to overcome than this.
My father will respect me for how I Love, not for how slavishly I follow this or that legalistic tittle, for Love is the root of all (Mt 22:36-40, Jn 13:34-35, 1 Cor 13:1-13). Christ allowed his disciples to east the grain on the Sabbath. He himself performed healings on the Sabbath etc. Things certainly against the “catachism” of that day. The Pharasees called Jesus on these violations and Jesus called them for, “straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”, (Mt 23:24)
God Loved and respected Jesus and Jesus Loved and respected His disciples, not becuase they followed each and every tittle to a tee, but becaue they Loved God followed Jesus before and above all else. They did so in their own, stumbling, bumbling, imperfect ways, but they always followed.
You have pointed out a place in the catachism where it speaks of making the sign of the cross. I am greatful to you for pointing this out and will take it to heart. However, I will not place so much value on it that it becomes scrupulous.
Peace
James
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