How about the Sign of the Cross as You Drive by a Catholic Church?

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I have begun this practice out of some cloudy memory of a nun suggesting this when I was young. It is intended to be a sign of respect for Our Lord in the tabernacle within that church. Anyone else recall this?
 
I think it’s a pious and reverent practice, and it is performed by many people in other countries. My wife is Hispanic and she always crosses herself when passing a Catholic church or a cemetery.

Gem
 
yeah I have always done it whenever me and my parents were in the car when I was a child, Its in respect for Jesus in the tabernacle.
 
my husband taught us all to do this and explained that it’s because generally, most churches have the tabernacle placed at the opposite end of the front of the doors. So when you pass by, you are really blessing yourself because you are passing directly in front of Our Lord. But then again, we see the whole building as being on holy grounds so I bless myself regardless…🙂
 
I don’t think I have ever done this. But I don’t pass many churches and haven’t been practicing long. I do like to stop in for a minute though when I’m close by. Tim
 
I have never picked up this practice, but I think it is beautifully respectfull and mindful of Christ’s presence in the tabernacle. I remember my mom telling us when we were younger about her father: he would always tip his hat to the Lord.
 
We do this. Kind of like saying “hello” to Jesus.

Karen
 
I used to always do it. But in those days I was usually walking past the Church. Somehow I lost the habit when I started zipping by at 45mph. It’s time to start again.
 
I have a habit of mentally saying “hello” to Jesus when I pass by. The kids joyfully yell out “HI JESUS” every time.

Recently, I’ve tried to make an effort to cross myself when I pass a church or cemetery. I’m trying to get in the habit.
 
I have not done this practice in the past, but I think I’m going to start doing it. I think it’s a beautiful idea to acknowledge Jesus’s prescense in the tabernacle and a good way to get a moment of clarity when one is usually bogged down in wordly concerns. (If you’re in Michigan, they usually include bad drivers, deer, and preciptation).

My mother and I both cross ourselves when we hear the sirens from the fire station a block down from our house. We also will cross ourselves when we learn of a diaster, tragedy, or if someone is in grave danger. (example - we both crossed ourselves the moment we saw the bridge wreckage in Minnesota earlier this week)
 
I, too, remember this being mentioned many years ago.

When I was a little kid on a bus in San Francisco one time, the route went by one of the many Catholic churches. To my amazement, about half the men on the bus tipped their hats. I thought that was very cool.

(You can tell this was years ago–men don’t wear hats any more!)
 
I haven’t done this, but am wondering if you shouldn’t also make the sign of the cross when you go by other churches?:confused:
 
:nope: I speak for myself only, but the Catholic church is the only one where in the tabernacle you can find consecrated hosts, meaning Jesus’ body and blood are present within that church. Therefore, the sign of the cross, out of reverence and respect. While I am respectful of other faiths and churches, we as Catholics sure have something special. I reserve the gesture for the one true church.
 
sjegts said:
:nope: I speak for myself only, but the Catholic church is the only one where in the tabernacle you can find consecrated hosts, meaning Jesus’ body and blood are present within that church. Therefore, the sign of the cross, out of reverence and respect. While I am respectful of other faiths and churches, we as Catholics sure have something special. I reserve the gesture for the one true church.
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I agree that indeed there is something special about the Catholic Church, however the Orthodox also have valid Sacraments. That would mean that Christ is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity in their tabernacles as well.
So I would think the same gesture of respect would be appropriate for passing an Eastern Orthodox church.
 
cgvnau said:
I agree that indeed there is something special about the Catholic Church, however the Orthodox also have valid Sacraments. That would mean that Christ is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity in their tabernacles as well.
So I would think the same gesture of respect would be appropriate for passing an Eastern Orthodox church.
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Good point.
 
Yep - we always do it. It promotes a consciousness of where one is and where the True Presence is. Our children have a love of their Catholic identity.
In the 50’s and 60’s I attended parochial school. We had a gravel lot for a “playground”, and, if Father and his acolyte were leaving church with the Blessed Sacrament and coming through the lot, the acolyte rang a bell before Father, and you hit your knees before Jesus, gravel or no.
Made a heck of an impression on my knees.:rolleyes:
 
I don’t make the sign of the cross (I’m the driver - it may be dangerous for me to do so). I say silently: “Praised be Jesus Christ” with each Catholic Church I pass by.
 
I dont usually make the sign of the Cross because I like talking to God better, so I talk to God in my heart and tell Him how I love Him.
 
I do. I remember my father used to do it to when I was just a child (years ago) and then stopped. A friend of mine reminded me of this pious practice, so I started it again and taught my children. Sometimes, if I forget, they remind me. I’ve also started doing it when ambulances go by with their lights on.
 
Have always done this. I remember when gentlemen would tip there hats when they waked by too.
Prague
 
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