How many fingers when you sign the cross?

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According to the Catholic tradition, how many fingers used when we sign the cross?:confused:
 
Well according to Latin tradition, I believe it’s simply open handed. Dependent upon any of the other Catholic traditions; Syriacs, Greeks and Copts use three together (thumb-index-middle) and the other two tucked in the palm. East Armenians and Ethiopians have a much more difficult configuration, which I’m unable to explain in writing.

Since all are equally valid signings in each respective Church, I speculate [in theory] it would be fine for a Latin to sign themselves like a Greek (but obviously a divergence from their Church norms and therefore not recommended unless there’s some kind of spiritual benefit).
 
I heard somewhere that it is 3. I could be wrong though. I have used 3 since hearing this.

mlz
 
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER Open hand-the right-touch the forehead,
AND OF THE SON The middle of chest,
AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. The left shoulder, then the right shoulder,
AMEN. Clasp hands in prayer.

Must be done completely this way as a form of respect. Not rushed, and saying the prayer with the signs.
 
MorEphrem said:
Well according to Latin tradition, I believe it’s simply open handed. Dependent upon any of the other Catholic traditions; Syriacs, Greeks and Copts use three together (thumb-index-middle) and the other two tucked in the palm. East Armenians and Ethiopians have a much more difficult configuration, which I’m unable to explain in writing.

Since all are equally valid signings in each respective Church, I speculate [in theory] it would be fine for a Latin to sign themselves like a Greek (but obviously a divergence from their Church norms and therefore not recommended unless there’s some kind of spiritual benefit).
Click to expand...
Wow, I never knew all this! Thanks for telling us! 🙂
 
MorEphrem said:
Well according to Latin tradition, I believe it’s simply open handed. Dependent upon any of the other Catholic traditions; Syriacs, Greeks and Copts use three together (thumb-index-middle) and the other two tucked in the palm. East Armenians and Ethiopians have a much more difficult configuration, which I’m unable to explain in writing.

Since all are equally valid signings in each respective Church, I speculate [in theory] it would be fine for a Latin to sign themselves like a Greek (but obviously a divergence from their Church norms and therefore not recommended unless there’s some kind of spiritual benefit).
Click to expand...
Very interesting! I knew there were two forms, but not more!

The Eastern Churches use three fingers up and touch the right shoulder first.

I was taught that the Latin way was with two fingers up but now i can’t find that. And of course left to right.

The two fingers symbolize the two natures of Christ, and the three fingers symbolize the Trinitarian nature of God.
 
I make a knife hand and touch my four fingertips to whatever part of my body corresponds to the part of the prayer I’m at.
 
I was taught, right hand, index and middle with the other fingers (including thumb), relaxed, toward the palm, saying the prayer as previously mentioned. Spanish-speakers kiss the cross (thumb on top and crossing the index) at end.
 
Yes. I kiss the cross at the end which I form as you described. 🙂

This reminds me of my Russian Literature class, a long, long, time ago. My Russian Literature professor (who was Russian) told me that there was a time in Russia when people were killed for not putting the fingers together properly when making the sign of the cross. Amazing! Apparently, one way people were doing it could be interpreted as being offensive to the cross.
 
In China, many people only use the thumb.
But I don’t know why.😦
 
Pax Christi!

Usually open-hand. I believe our Lady at Lourdes told St. Bernadette: TOP of the forehead, waist, OUTSIDE of left, then right, shoulders.

With Holy Water: usually middle finger gets dipped (it’sthe longest) and I try to waste none.

Side note: when the Holy Water dish is dry, I touch my hand in anyway. I don’t know why.

God bless.
 
Pax Christi!

Kissing the Cross: cool! I might try that!

China: thumb. Interesting!

God bless.
 
Pax Christi!

Kissing the Cross: cool! I might try that!

China: thumb. Interesting!

God bless.
 
Pax Christi!

Usually open-hand. I believe our Lady at Lourdes told St. Bernadette: TOP of the forehead, waist, OUTSIDE of left, then right, shoulders.

With Holy Water: usually middle finger gets dipped (it’sthe longest) and I try to waste none.

Side note: when the Holy Water dish is dry, I touch my hand in anyway. I don’t know why.

God bless.
 
St_Francis said:
Very interesting! I knew there were two forms, but not more!

The Eastern Churches use three fingers up and touch the right shoulder first.

I was taught that the Latin way was with two fingers up but now i can’t find that. And of course left to right.

The two fingers symbolize the two natures of Christ, and the three fingers symbolize the Trinitarian nature of God.
Click to expand...
Why do different people/groups touch a different shoulder first? I’m asking because of the above about the Eastern Orthodox and because I recently heard some new age guy claiming that the Catholic Church makes the sign backwards and that doing it right to left is somehow more beneficial. Is there actually any significance in which shoulder is touched first?
 
JK8619 said:
Why do different people/groups touch a different shoulder first? I’m asking because of the above about the Eastern Orthodox and because I recently heard some new age guy claiming that the Catholic Church makes the sign backwards and that doing it right to left is somehow more beneficial. Is there actually any significance in which shoulder is touched first?
Click to expand...
I don’t think there is any. My understanding is that it’s just a matter of how people in that region did it.
 
svid2 said:
Pax Christi!

Kissing the Cross: cool! I might try that!

China: thumb. Interesting!

God bless.
Click to expand...
I am originally from the South Western region of the U.S. and that is the way I was raised. Open hand ending in thumb over forefinger to the lips.
 
I guess I’m way off and have been doing it wrong my whole life. I learned to use the index and middle finger, which represents the two natures of Christ.
 
You are doing it quite anciently. Option A (below) was used by the Russian Orthodox until the 1600s with the Nikonian reforms. The Old Believers (Orthodox and Catholic) still hold their fingers that way. It is also the way the Ethiopians (Orthodox and Catholic) hold their fingers except they bend the middle finger a little bit more.

The Sign of the Cross is made thus: First choose your style:
Source [with my photos added]: fisheaters.com/sign.html
 
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