Doing the sign of the Cross secretly

[YehoiakhinEx232]

Recently I’ve been attending a secular college and when I pray, I try to do the sign of the Cross secretly, trying to hide it from others. I also did this just in public at least once. Is this mortally sinful? Would it by like lying?

Glory to God!
and
Hail Mary!

 

[YADA]

As one who prays grace before meals wherever I am - sign of the cross and all …

No it is not sinful …

But why are you reluctant?

Anyway … I read a study once by people who study things like linquistics and cultural superstitions … you know … Why is it bad luck to spill the salt and where “crossing your fingers for luck” come from … and other such things … I wish I could link to it … but this was nearly 40 years ago … long before Al Gore invented the internet

Going back through the various cultures on where and why “Crossing your fingers for luck” entered the scene … what they believed was that when the Christianity was still an illegal religion in Roman Empire and Christians were under persecution - they tried to hide certain “Christian” practices when out in public as it were … thus rather than make the sign of the cross on forehead, lips and heart - they would cross their fingers … as a form of self blessing - this sign - covertly done became associated with a desire for a good outcome - or “for [good] luck”

This if those early Christians could covertly cross their fingers - long enough to enter into the cultural norms we recognize to this day - I doubt the practice was sinful …

If I were you though - I would just cross myself and be who you are - a Christian. specifically a Catholic Christian

Other items in the article discussed the spilling of Salt - they found no references to that in history before Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper was famous … in that painting Judas spills the salt … as we know he leave to betray Jesus and then commit suicide - they concluded that the painting was the source of “Spilling salt” being bad luck …

 

[Nelka]

As one who prays grace before meals wherever I am - sign of the cross and all …

No it is not sinful …

But why are you reluctant?

Anyway … I read a study once by people who study things like linquistics and cultural superstitions … you know … Why is it bad luck to spill the salt and where “crossing your fingers for luck” come from … and other such things … I wish I could link to it … but this was nearly 40 years ago … long before Al Gore invented the internet

Going back through the various cultures on where and why “Crossing your fingers for luck” entered the scene … what they believed was that when the Christianity was still an illegal religion in Roman Empire and Christians were under persecution - they tried to hide certain “Christian” practices when out in public as it were … thus rather than make the sign of the cross on forehead, lips and heart - they would cross their fingers … as a form of self blessing - this sign - covertly done became associated with a desire for a good outcome - or “for [good] luck”

This if those early Christians could covertly cross their fingers - long enough to enter into the cultural norms we recognize to this day - I doubt the practice was sinful …

If I were you though - I would just cross myself and be who you are - a Christian. specifically a Catholic Christian

Other items in the article discussed the spilling of Salt - they found no references to that in history before Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper was famous … in that painting Judas spills the salt … as we know he leave to betray Jesus and then commit suicide - they concluded that the painting was the source of “Spilling salt” being bad luck …

Wow that’s interesting.

I sometimes make the sign of the Cross and other times a small one on my head or lips.

 

[Exiled_Child]

Oh no, I don’t think that’s at all sinful. Or at least, I hope not, because I do it all the time, by just tracing a cross in the center of my brow.

YADA, that’s totally fascinating, thank you! I never knew the origin of crossing one’s fingers was actually ancient Catholicism.

 

[adamhovey1988]

Actually, hiding your faith CAN be sinful. However, I don’t think you always have to make the sign of the cross. I am not one that is wary about praying in public (though I was), you need to be a WITNESS no matter where you’re at. If you are doing it because you are ashamed, that IS sinful. If you are hiding it so your family doesn’t get killed by terrorist, you’d be less culpable. I have a lot of respect for people that practice their faith in public. You go to a fast food restaurant and you will see families holding hands and praying over their meals, and in spite of very few Catholics (compared to the rest of the United States) many people make the sign of the cross before they do things like eat their meals. Why would you had your faith?

 

[Dorothy]

I recall on two occasions seeing a Catholic friend make the sign of the Cross before entering a room to be with others. They didn’t know I had seen them, and it was very inspiring to me.

 

[pianistclare]

Oh no, I don’t think that’s at all sinful. Or at least, I hope not, because I do it all the time, by just tracing a cross in the center of my brow.

YADA, that’s totally fascinating, thank you! I never knew the origin of crossing one’s fingers was actually ancient Catholicism.

Also, that “live long and proper” gesture that Spock does with his hand is a rabbinical blessing.

 

[pianistclare]

OP, don’t worry about what others think.
Many people of other faiths wear certain garb, and no one really cares.
I’ve had waitresses at restaurants actually come up and say “thank you” for praying in public. They said they wish their faiths had such, so they could witness in the world more readily