Do you pray in public? Do you make the sign of the cross?

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AlwaysCurious

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I’m mainly referring to prayers before meals, especially in restaurants.

In the South, you often see families pray before meals when eating out. But as far as I can remember, I’ve never seen anyone cross themselves before or after such a prayer. As a convert, I often pray and cross myself when I’m out alone, although I lose my nerve somewhat when I’m with my (Protestant) family.

What do you do? If you are called upon to pray on behalf of a non-Catholic group, do you begin or end the prayer “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” with the sign of the cross?
 
On the contrary, in an effort to not draw attention to ourselves, my husband and I sometimes ‘forget’ NOT to pray when we are at a restaurant thus, we do cross ourselves. Funny, everyone is different.
 
We always say grace before meals, and cross ourselves, even in public. I guess we don’t really think about it too much, as it is so common for us to do. (And our 9 year old daughter reads me the riot act if I “forget” myself)! 🙂
 
I pray in public, with the sign of the cross, but I do so silently. No need to call lots of attention to myself. 😉
 
So…

Are you supposed to cross yourself before and after you say grace?

I was out with a devout Catholic lady once and she prayed a little “simple grace” prayer that “every Catholic knows.” Is there a standard prayer of grace before meals?

How does all this work?
 
Yes, generally I do, the sign of the cross is so habitual, I catch myself and others too for that matter, crossing themselves before the Pledge of Alligence or the 4-H pledge!
When called on to say grace, we have one 4-Her who can always be counted on to cross himself and use the Grace Before Meals at any function. The percentage of Catholics here is so high that everyone just goes along and one can spot a newbie by the shocked look on their face.
 
Bless us, Oh Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ Our Lord, Amen. 🙂
 
Oh, and, the sign of the cross is simply acknowledging your belief and faith in the Trinity. 👍
 
Oh I make the Sign of the Cross whenever I pray. No disrespects to those who don’t pray like this.
 
I don’t usually pray in public and make the sign of cross except when I am praying the Rosary in my car. I am very self- conscious about doing that too. The only place where I get a real desire to make the sign of the cross is in a Protestant church.:confused: That started right after I first started attending Mass. By the way I avoid Protestants services now. 😃
 
I don’t go out to eat very often, but when I do, yes, I pray and make the sign of the cross. I live in Nashville and most Christians here are protestant, but so far, I have never had a negative experience while doing this.
 
I usually eat alone in public. I say a silent prayer and make the sign of the cross, just as I would do if I were home.
 
AlwaysCurious said:
I’m mainly referring to prayers before meals, especially in restaurants.

In the South, you often see families pray before meals when eating out. But as far as I can remember, I’ve never seen anyone cross themselves before or after such a prayer. As a convert, I often pray and cross myself when I’m out alone, although I lose my nerve somewhat when I’m with my (Protestant) family.

What do you do? If you are called upon to pray on behalf of a non-Catholic group, do you begin or end the prayer “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” with the sign of the cross?
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We go out to eat with friends often, and we always say the Catholic version of grace before meals, including making the sign of the cross. No problem.
 
Philotheatoo said:
Bless us, Oh Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ Our Lord, Amen. 🙂
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This is what I always pray before meals, usually silently.

I overheard someone just yesterday who said that if you pray a memorized prayer then it’s not really a prayer at all, but a “recital.” :rolleyes: I thought about correcting that statement but kept my mouth shut.
 
When I eat in public alone, before I eat I usually cross myself and say grace silently as to not to draw attention to myself. I do pray the rosary in my car but I am alone and use a cd with the scriptural rosary and recite but do not use my beads if I am the driver.

When I am with my family in a home or in a restaurant, most of the time we say the standard grace before meals with the sign of the cross before and after saying grace out loud with a few intentions for the health and/or safety of family members/friends that need prayer but not in a high volume of voice. Its rare that we do not do those.

The last few times I’ve been at gatherings with Catholic friends after going to Mass, the priest with us would lead us in the sign of the cross and the grace before meals. Both times recently this was done - once was in a banquet hall that is part of a Catholic church property where it would not made a big deal, the other was a public restaurant where we were seated together as a group.

I do sign myself when I drive by a Catholic church no matter if I am going to/from work, or any other things.
 
When I took my wife on our first date we went out to eat and I made the sign of the Cross and said the traditional prayer before meals. She says I gave her a great first impression by doing that because it showed her I’m a man of prayer.

Also, after the “Bless us, O Lord” mentioned above, many people will add “And may the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.” One friend quipped “Are we praying for the animal we are about to eat.” :rolleyes: Which led to an interesting discussion about pets in heaven.
 
In answer to both questions, yes, I do.

When I eat out (usually breakfast on Saturdays), I make the sign of the cross and pray the ‘Grace Before Meals’ prayer. I say it in a low voice so as not to attract attention.

I did get sort of a ‘compliment’ from one gentleman last year, though; that was kind of nice! :o
 
lakotak said:
I usually eat alone in public. I say a silent prayer and make the sign of the cross, just as I would do if I were home.
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Good for you, a wonderful example. I can’t find the courage to do it myself yet.
 
Yes. I make the Sign of the Cross at meals in restaurants and at my Protestant relatives’ homes as well. It is a witness to the Faith. I would consider not to do so as a denial of my faith. Why hide it? “Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” Mt 5:16 NAB. It may cause others to think about God.
 
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