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Justafyed
Guest
Hi. I was in mass on saturday and I dont have any eastern rite churches here. But being a lefty I naturally go right to left is this okay or am I being rude. If so, ill change this behavior promptly god bless.
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otjm
Guest
Oh dear; here we go again…
Some years ago there was a thread related this matter, and some people came pretty close to ballistic on the matter.
The standard is to make the sign of the cross with the right hand, starting at the forehead, then the chest, then the left shoulder, then the right.
The world will not fall apart if you do it differently, but I suspect that someone will get their panties in a really big wad over it, if the last thread was any indication.
You won’t go to hell for doing it differently.
It is not a sin to do it differently (left handers sometimes have a problem, either in using their dominant hand, or in doing so and touching the right shoulder first).
Traditionally, when we genuflect, we do so with the right knee - but some don’t. Another matter that is not a sin.
On the other hand (pun or no pun), some people may become seriously upset, enough to tell you that you are wrong. That, I can’t be of much help about - partly because my response would not be considered overly charitable.
The old adage “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” has some merit; but so does being true to your heritage of Eastern rite.
So, either way should be fine (self anointed liturgy police to the contrary).
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Allegra
Guest
No it isn’t sinful or offensive and probably nobody will even notice.
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1ke
Guest
It’s perfectly fine.
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thistle
Guest
There is no requirement to sign left to right.
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juno24
Guest
I am left-handed, as well. The one and only thing I do exclusively with my right hand is the sign of the cross. I was taught from early childhood that we use our right hand for the sign of the cross because it is proper to do so. While it is not sinful or anything of that magnitude, I never use my left hand. I don’t know if you are making the sign with your left hand, or if you are using your right hand and just going right to left instead of left to right, but I did a really quick search, and found this answer from the staff here at Catholic Answers:
catholic.com/quickquestions/why-do-we-use-our-right-hand-instead-of-our-left-hand-to-make-the-sign-of-the-cross
catholic.com/quickquestions/why-do-we-use-our-right-hand-instead-of-our-left-hand-to-make-the-sign-of-the-cross
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Justafyed
Guest
Thanks for the replies. I was at confession yesterday and asked my priest and he said due to my eastern roots he didnt see a problem. But did say some might be confused but other than that its a non issue. We also spoke about baptism for my daughter which will get tricky since my wife is not catholic. She has agreed to catholic schools and raising her in the church. But I now must find godparents.Which will be my mother lol.
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Justafyed
Guest
As an addendum… I love my parish. The priest actually challenges me on penance i.e.ask yourself why you continually allow yourself to be manipulated, give someone a postive affirmation etc. growing up it was say 5 hail marys. I also prefer the eastern style confessuon that he offers to use a kneeler beside his chair. I love my latin rite brothers and sisters. But. It was hard to get acclimated to the box… But my new parish doesnt have them anyway so its moot. Well theres a chair seperated by a divider if you wish.
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Jennifoo
Guest
Hi there. I’m a lefty. When I converted I made the Sign of the Cross with my left hand. No one ever said anything. Some time later I chose to begin making it with my right hand since we genuflect on our right knee - there just seemed to be a certain symmetry in this. It didn’t take me very long and I’m glad I did. I don’t know if there’s a preference for lefties to do as I did. You could ask your pastor.
God bless you.
God bless you.
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