is this wrong

[brierpatch1974]

Once again let me state that I am not Catholic but I am researching it and working on making plans to contact my local priest and getting more info on the RCIA program. But I do have a question.

After learning about what the signing of the cross is and means I like to do it before saying grace at meals and before my bedtime prayers. And somtimes just when I am feeling the need for some guidance. Is it wrong of me to do this since I am not catholic yet and have never been baptized before?

Or am I just being to paranoid about offending others while I am searching for answers and Guidance? Thank you all for the help you share with me and others. I love reading these forums as they are so helpful and inspiring.

Somedays though it feels like I have the lords gentle hand on one shoulder trying to show me the way and satan on the other side trying to keep me away.

But reading many of the post, especailly about how people converted or went back to church after being away for years, really is inspiring and heart lifting. I am not ashamed to admit many have them have brought tears to my eyes. Thanks again for all the help, I greatly appreciate it and need it.

BP

 

[Christine_Blake]

I think it’s great that you are beginning to express your belief and faith as it comes to you. You are absolutely able to do the sign of the cross before prayers, I can’t imagine any reason not to begin with steps that feel meaningful to you as you continue your journey of faith!

 

[toaslan]

Once again let me state that I am not Catholic but I am researching it…

After learning about what the signing of the cross is and means I like to do it before saying grace at meals and before my bedtime prayers. And somtimes just when I am feeling the need for some guidance. Is it wrong of me to do this since I am not catholic yet and have never been baptized before?

Or am I just being to paranoid about offending others while I am searching for answers and Guidance?

Hi, Brierpatch.

I cross myself during grace before meals, whether in a public place or not–when it’s as much a part of you as breathing, the gesture is natural and ordinary, and not noticeable unless someone is really watching. And if someone sees such a small, not-in-your-face gesture, it does not offend–I’ve never gotten the least feedback one way or the other.

And if it did offend? Well, it is a Sign of Contradiction, after all.

The Sign of the Cross is a way of saying, “I belong to Jesus.” It is a commitment to Him to be His disciple. It is a dedication to Him. It is a way to give oneself yet again to Him as He gave Himself for us all. It is a way to bless oneself unto Christ.

Protestants don’t do it because they don’t understand. If they did understand, I guess they would want to do it. They could do it; and that would be a good thing, as Christianity is the religion of the Cross.

You don’t have to be Catholic to do it for all the right reasons! However, it will rouse up people who know you are not Catholic, and unless you are ready for that, you could cool it around such folks.

 

[mommyof4]

Making the sign of the cross is a beautiful prayer, Catholic or not! It may feel “wrong” if you’re not used to it, but please don’t stop if you feel called to do it! And welcome to the forums, and we will keep you in our prayers as you discern your calling to the Church!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Once again let me state that I am not Catholic but I am researching it and working on making plans to contact my local priest and getting more info on the RCIA program. But I do have a question.

After learning about what the signing of the cross is and means I like to do it before saying grace at meals and before my bedtime prayers. And somtimes just when I am feeling the need for some guidance. Is it wrong of me to do this since I am not catholic yet and have never been baptized before?

Or am I just being to paranoid about offending others while I am searching for answers and Guidance? Thank you all for the help you share with me and others. I love reading these forums as they are so helpful and inspiring.

Somedays though it feels like I have the lords gentle hand on one shoulder trying to show me the way and satan on the other side trying to keep me away.

But reading many of the post, especailly about how people converted or went back to church after being away for years, really is inspiring and heart lifting. I am not ashamed to admit many have them have brought tears to my eyes. Thanks again for all the help, I greatly appreciate it and need it.

BP

You may use any of the Churches sacramentals, Holy Water, The Sign of the Cross, Votive candles, The Crucifix, etc. They all bring Actual Grace even to those not yet Baptized.

 

[quiet52]

After learning about what the signing of the cross is and means I like to do it before saying grace at meals and before my bedtime prayers. And somtimes just when I am feeling the need for some guidance. Is it wrong of me to do this since I am not catholic yet and have never been baptized before?

BP

Wonderful!
The Sign of the Cross is a gesture of witnessing to our faith, a proclamation of its deep mysteries, and a prayer in which we give reverence, gratitude, submission, petition, or acknowledgement that we seek to encounter God.
You can make the Sign of the Cross any time, anywhere – frequently to begin and end our prayers. It can be used to bless the routine chores of life, to make them holy (meals, sleep, etc.) I make the Sign of the Cross when I wake up in the morning.
I hope you call your parish soon, by the way!

 

[Cat]

Perhaps it will help you feel more at ease to know that Chuck Colson endorsed the use of the Sign of the Cross in his wonderful book, Being the Body.

BTW, I highly recommend this Protestant-written book to those who are researching the Catholic Church. It was one of the factors that helped me make a decision to become Catholic. In spite of his Baptist convictions, Mr. Colson gives a ringing endorsement of Catholicism, and probably has the best and most touching description I’ve read of Pope John Paul IIs’ major role in ending Communism in Europe. As you know, Chuck Colson was one of the founders of the organization, Evangelicals and Catholics Together.

 

[Newbie2]

Protestants don’t do it because they don’t understand. If they did understand, I guess they would want to do it. They could do it; and that would be a good thing, as Christianity is the religion of the Cross.

There are some Protestant churches where members cross themselves; I believe there is a Lutheran church in the Detroit metro area where that occurs.

Maybe they want back into the flock.

 

[mercygate]

As others have noted, the sign of the cross is a “prayer of gesture.” Anybody can do it. Catholics don’t have a patent on it. For decades, as an Episcopalian, I did it – as did everybody else in my church.

There are even several different ways people do it (sometimes with a heated conviction that MY WAY IS THE ONLY WAY TO DO IT OR ELSE YOU’RE GOING TO HELL) according to culture and tradition. For example the Eastern Orthodox touch the right shoulder and then the left, while Latin Catholics touch the left and then the right.

 

[Teflon93]

I think it’s a wonderful devotion. Since the Catholic Church is your birthright as well as ours, and since there is no prerequisite for making such a gesture, and since the gesture itself is a wonderful reminder of God’s continuous presence in our lives, by all means do so.

It should also be noted that non-Catholics pray the Rosary. It is a less common devotion among non-Catholics, but some still find it brings them closer to Christ and do it anyway. Mary is their mother too.