Holy water and sign of the cross

[anjoh66]

Hi!
I have some questions about the holy water in the fonts by the entrance to the church.

It is supposed to remind a catholic of his/hers baptism well even maybe every baptized christian.

Can i as a non baptised cathecumen touch that water and make the sign of the cross?
I heard a priest once say that it is a sign of being a christian and i am not counted as christian since i didnt recieve my baptism yet.

Does that mean that i also can not do the sign of the cross at the mass?

 

[Eucharisted]

The baptismal fonts are a sign of the Christian baptism, and it is meant to remind Christians of their new life in Christ and to instill in non-Christians a desire to live in Christ.

I don’t think you can make the Sign of the Cross before baptism, but I’m no Apologetist.

 

[FrDavid96]

Hi!
I have some questions about the holy water in the fonts by the entrance to the church.

It is supposed to remind a catholic of his/hers baptism well even maybe every baptized christian.

Can i as a non baptised cathecumen touch that water and make the sign of the cross?
I heard a priest once say that it is a sign of being a christian and i am not counted as christian since i didnt recieve my baptism yet.

Does that mean that i also can not do the sign of the cross at the mass?

Well, you can look at it as a way of “pointing forward” to your future baptism, rather than a reminder “looking back”.

As a catechumen you are viewed as a part of the Church, just not an initiated member. That’s why catechumens are entitled to Christian burial (not that I’m wishing that on you, of course!)

 

[anjoh66]

Well, you can look at it as a way of “pointing forward” to your future baptism, rather than a reminder “looking back”.

As a catechumen you are viewed as a part of the Church, just not an initiated member. That’s why catechumens are entitled to Christian burial (not that I’m wishing that on you, of course!)

Yes i suggested that to a priest that it could be a looking forward and he said yes it could be but for the others who see me they will take it as a baptismal sign but also they dont know if i am baptized or not.

But i think he meant that the sign of the cross is a symbol of being christian, so does it also apply at the mass, that i should refrain from doing it?

When i go forth at the eucharist to recieve blessings the priest make a cross so i guess i also can do even though im not fully initiated yet?

 

[FrDavid96]

Yes i suggested that to a priest that it could be a looking forward and he said yes it could be but for the others who see me they will take it as a baptismal sign but also they dont know if i am baptized or not.

But i think he meant that the sign of the cross is a symbol of being christian, so does it also apply at the mass, that i should refrain from doing it?

When i go forth at the eucharist to recieve blessings the priest make a cross so i guess i also can do even though im not fully initiated yet?

At Mass, you should make the sign of the cross, because you ARE a Christian, one who believes in Christ. You are not yet an initiated Christian. That’s an important point to keep in mind.

Don’t worry about what other people think if you make the sign of the cross, with or without holy water. I’m not trying to contradict your priest, but to contradict those who have no business worrying about whether or not you cross yourself.

There is nothing about the sign of the cross that makes it restricted to initiated Christians; it’s not a sacrament, it’s a sacramental. The early Christian martyrs who were killed before being baptized made the sign of the cross, so you’re in good company.

 

[stinkyweed]

Sign of the cross is a prayer, so please do. And I too want to say again You are a Christian now waiting for that wonderful moment at Easter vigil.(the most awesome,beautiful Mass) May Christ increase your desire daily for this awesome gift.

 

[anjoh66]

Thanks for the clarifications

Gods Blessings on you all

 

[SSM]

Maybe this is not the right place for this question, but would someone please explain to me what the sign of the cross actually means? I have seen it in the Episcopal Church, but not as frequently as it is used in Mass. Thanks!

 

[LilyM]

Maybe this is not the right place for this question, but would someone please explain to me what the sign of the cross actually means? I have seen it in the Episcopal Church, but not as frequently as it is used in Mass. Thanks!

Great question. Well first of all there’s the symbolic aspect - we trace a cross upon our bodies, thus showing ourselves visibly to be followers of Christ whose symbol it is. Much like wearing a cross or a crucifix might do.

Then there’s the prayer that accompanies it. As we cross ourselves we say ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’. Thus we offer ourselves to the Holy Trinity, our God. And we also offer to the Holy Trinity the prayer we are about to say or have just said - we tend to cross ourselves before or after prayers. :byzsoc:

 

[RubyT]

Take the plunge and get Baptized; then you won’t have to worry about it!.

 

[santodomingo]

Great question. Well first of all there’s the symbolic aspect - we trace a cross upon our bodies, thus showing ourselves visibly to be followers of Christ whose symbol it is. Much like wearing a cross or a crucifix might do.

Then there’s the prayer that accompanies it. As we cross ourselves we say ‘In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’. Thus we offer ourselves to the Holy Trinity, our God. And we also offer to the Holy Trinity the prayer we are about to say or have just said - we tend to cross ourselves before or after prayers. :byzsoc:

Absolutely! In Spain whenever we do the sign of the Cross we pray an extra bit. We pray, “In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, defend us from our enemies.” Is this just a spanish thing or do you do this elsewhere?

 

[LilyM]

Absolutely! In Spain whenever we do the sign of the Cross we pray an extra bit. We pray, “In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, defend us from our enemies.” Is this just a spanish thing or do you do this elsewhere?

Hmmm, I don’t know of anywhere else where it’s done, not to say that there *isn’t *anywhere else.

There are lots of slight regional variations - my father being from Eastern Europe will cross himself three times, for example.

And the personal touches - when I cross myself with holy water I sometimes say the words the priest uses at Mass - ‘Lord, wash away my inquity and cleanse me from my sin’. :yup:

 

[anjoh66]

Take the plunge and get Baptized; then you won’t have to worry about it!.

If you are a catholic you should know that the church doesnt just baptise like that, it takes time with preparations, if it was in mine hands i would get baptised right now but its up to the church.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Take the plunge and get Baptized; then you won’t have to worry about it!.

Unfortunately (actually fortunately- want good catechesis!), people just can’t go get baptized. They have to be catechized, and that is usually in the form of RCIA,which takes some time.

 

[RubyT]

If you are a catholic you should know that the church doesnt just baptise like that, it takes time with preparations, if it was in mine hands i would get baptised right now but its up to the church.

I wasn’t implying “just like that”. I only meant follow the steps and get it done. No disrespect intended. So sorry if it came out that way. I didn’t see any verbage that said that you were in the process; thats all I meant to say. :bowdown:

 

[RubyT]

Unfortunately (actually fortunately- want good catechesis!), people just can’t go get baptized. They have to be catechized, and that is usually in the form of RCIA,which takes some time.

When I said take the plunge I was trying to be humorous. What I really meant was get the process started.

:bowdown: I humbly apologize for interjecting humor into a serious conversation.

 

[anjoh66]

When I said take the plunge I was trying to be humorous. What I really meant was get the process started.

:bowdown: I humbly apologize for interjecting humor into a serious conversation.

Apology accepted, i did start the process but its not up to me you know i asked the church to do it and my priest want it to pass till next easter in 2010 so what can i do?

Just keep on studying