Do you make the Sign of the Cross among unbelieving friends?

[Musicadmirer]

I have a question on this. Next month, I am going to be sampling food, and I’m not sure if the setup will allow me to place everything on a plate to sit down with. If I’m going from dish to dish for mini samples, what should I do? Yes, it may sound like a silly question, but I have scruples!

 

[mangy_dog]

I had no idea this thread was still active but,

Yes - definitely yes!

The sign of the cross is one of those little things that are very catholic and It doesn’t matter where I am or who is watching.

In hoc signo vinces!

 

[Cracker_Mom]

Absolutely & always in restaurants. Always when I pass by a church, too.
And occasionally I see others bless themselves as well.

 

[mangy_dog]

Absolutely & always in restaurants. Always when I pass by a church, too.
And occasionally I see others bless themselves as well.

Yes, Oh My God Yes!

You don’t know how happy this makes me to hear other catholics doing the basic catholic things really, really well.

God bless you.

 

[KarenElissa]

I have a question on this. Next month, I am going to be sampling food, and I’m not sure if the setup will allow me to place everything on a plate to sit down with. If I’m going from dish to dish for mini samples, what should I do? Yes, it may sound like a silly question, but I have scruples!

Do you make the sign of the cross between every course when you sit down? I don’t see why it would be any more necessary because you are standing up. You can simply make it before you eat the first thing. Also, it is not something that is absolutely necessary. If you don’t do it, it isn’t a sin.

 

[mangy_dog]

Do you make the sign of the cross between every course when you sit down? I don’t see why it would be any more necessary because you are standing up. You can simply make it before you eat the first thing. Also, it is not something that is absolutely necessary. If you don’t do it, it isn’t a sin.

I would personally make one main prayer at the beginning of the event/meal, and if so inclined or inspired I can say “thank you Jesus” or simply make the sign of the cross for every course thereafter.

But that’s just me. It’s not scruples it’s awareness of Jesus in my moment to moment living.

 

[LittleSoldier]

I shamefully admit that I am a coward, but I’m making progress.

I used to not pray with my wife (she is not baptized), but when we had kids I worked up the courage to at least say a prayer before meals. Now she even helps the kids say their prayers if I cannot be there and she even asked me to pray for her brother one evening.

Next, I worked up the courage to say prayers at the restaurant with my family. That actually wasn’t as hard, when you have the support and help of your family.

Then I prayed among my wife’s family who is not religious, both at home and when we went out to eat. Again, strength in numbers helped.

But now I’ve gone out a couple times to eat with old co-workers and with new ones. All I planned to do was pray silently and then make the sign of the cross, but I wasn’t able to muster the courage to make the sign of the cross either time. Frustrating, especially since both times also happened to be on a Friday.

So, have any of you been in the situation where you are with friends or family you know are not Catholic and a situation comes up where it is appropriate to pray – such as before meals in a restaurant? If so, did you just do it? Did you invite them to pray with you? Was it difficult?

I’m looking for some encouragement. Thank you in advance for your help.

I did it. I just did it. Once I did it once it was easy. Just do it.

And please remember, it was seeing my cousin and her family make the Sign of the Cross in a restaurant that is part of the reason I came back to the Church.

 

[horselvr]

Re:" Do you make the Sign of the Cross among unbelieving friends? "

Absolutely and most assuredly.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Milimac,

Since I’ve been making the Sign of the Cross in public, I’ve felt my faith grow. It makes me feel like I’m telling the world that I’m Catholic and feel blessed to be Catholic.

It’s been my experience that a lot of people don’t like Catholicism or Catholics. But they might like me. I’m lucky in that I have a conversation piece with me most of the time. It’s a border collie service puppy (in training) who is remarkably cute (that’s not just what I think - she really is a beautiful puppy) and she goes with me just about everywhere. People are always talking to me about my dog and most really like her and because of that they like me. So if they like me and I make the Sign of the Cross it may get them thinking. Just why am I doing that? Is there something in that? It forms cognitive dissonance and they have to confront it. Either they change their minds about me, now disliking me, or they change their minds about Catholicism, that maybe it isn’t so bad or maybe what they’ve heard about it is wrong.

There’s a show on TV I saw a few times. I don’t know the name but it’s a reality show. Two people are taken through someone’s real house and they look at all the items and things that are there and try to understand the personality of the owner(s) based on what they’ve seen. At the end the owner(s) meet the two people and they discuss what went on. (It’s not a very good show. )

Once these two people were in a house and saw a crucifix hanging on the wall, with the palm leaves behind it. I don’t remember what else they found in the house but at the end the owner met with them and it was Kato Kaelin of O.J. Simpson fame. One of the two stared at Mr. Kaelin and said “Are you Catholic?” - he appeared to be very surprised that somebody like Mr. Kaelin would be Catholic and maybe even a practicing Catholic as the palm leaves and crucifix would indicate.

Mr. Kaelin just said “Yes, I am.” And I could see the gears moving in the two peoples’ minds - they appeared to like Mr. Kaelin and may very well have disliked the Catholic Church. Just having that crucifix and palm leaves on the wall made a very important statement.

It’s the same thing with the Sign of the Cross. It makes a very important statement. And that’s on top of the fact that it’s a prayer and shows respect to the Trinity.

If the early Christians were willing to become entertainment by being eaten by lions because of their faith, I can make the Sign of the Cross in a restaurant, whether I’m by myself or with others.

Just thought I’d share that with you.

 

[Musicadmirer]

I have a question on this. Next month, I am going to be sampling food, and I’m not sure if the setup will allow me to place everything on a plate to sit down with. If I’m going from dish to dish for mini samples, what should I do? Yes, it may sound like a silly question, but I have scruples!

The event I was referring to above just passed. I made the Sign of the Cross and no one dared to say anything

 

[LittleSoldier]

The event I was referring to above just passed. I made the Sign of the Cross and no one dared to say anything

Hooray!! I didn’t think anyone would say anything. When I wasn’t a practicing Catholic I was still in awe on those rare occasions when I saw people make the Sign of the Cross in a restaurant. I thought those people had nerve - in a good way!! It made me feel rather ashamed of myself because here I’d left the Church out of laziness and here they were, so full of faith, and they didn’t care if they were laughed at (while I did).

Kudos to you!!