On genuflecting, sign of the cross, et al

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Hugh_Betcha

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Hello again all,

I’ve been on here for a little while now and not too long ago asked whether or not it was OK for a non-Catholic to pray the rosary, make the sign of the cross, etc. Everyone told me that it was totally allright to do these things, just not to take communion. Also I can’t be granted absolution. No problem. Then my soon to be mother in law tells me that only Catholics are supposed to do these things. Then I say no, all the folks on this forum said it was ok. Then my fiancee asks, but who are they, and how do they know? So how do I know that it’s OK? Is there something that I can point to in the CCC that says it’s ok? I’m ok with doing these things, I always try to be very respectful, but don’t wan’t to offend my mother in law by doing them. Keep in mind, these are really great people, I love them both dearly, I’d just like to be able to tell her something definitive. Should I ask the priest at their church? Thanks everyone!
 
No offense, but “who” is your mother-in-law and what does she know?

Yes, by all means ask a priest after Mass. If you’re engaged, you should know the priest anyway. And make sure “Mom” gets set straight.
 
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rcn:
No offense, but “who” is your mother-in-law and what does she know?

Yes, by all means ask a priest after Mass. If you’re engaged, you should know the priest anyway. And make sure “Mom” gets set straight.
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None taken! She is a Catholic (has been for 36 years); and I’m not sure that she has anything to back up her opinion, or if it’s something that she personally just thinks is wrong. I figured though, that if I could point to something that said it was OK, then she’d be OK with it. Please to all reading this, don’t think she’s some kind of a bad person or anything, I think she only said that to prevent me from doing something that would offend the church. I promise she’s not the evil stepmother type!
 
At my first RCIA initiation class, when they prayed, they showed what the sign of the cross was, and said that we could do it if we were comfortable, or not if we weren’t. And praying the rosary - it’s a prayer, how could it be wrong for a person to say a prayer?
 
Except as regards certain Sacramental matters that are restricted to members of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Church does not presume to tell non-Catholics how they may or may not pray any more than non-Catholic religions may presume to tell Catholics how they may or may not pray. I know some non-Catholics do try to impose on Catholics in this manner, and you may wish to gently ask your future Mother-in-Law how she would feel if a non-Catholic tried to restrict her from some mode of prayer to which she was attached simply because that particular mode of prayer was used by a non-Catholic faith.

If you wish to pray using the Sign of the Cross, the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Stations of the Cross, Novenas, the Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic Adoration, participating at Mass without receiving the Eucharist (but you may make a Spiritual Communion), or any other modes of prayer typically associated with the Catholic Church, then go ahead and God bless you. May your prayers bring you closer to Him and please remember me and my family in your prayers.
 
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MistyF:
At my first RCIA initiation class, when they prayed, they showed what the sign of the cross was, and said that we could do it if we were comfortable, or not if we weren’t. And praying the rosary - it’s a prayer, how could it be wrong for a person to say a prayer?
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It’s no wonder the faith is being watered down if the RCIA instructors are teaching those coming into the flock that it’s optional to do the very basic outward signs. The sign of cross, genuflection, blessing oneself w/ holy water, etc.

To me the sign of the cross reminds me that the prayers I’m about to say or the Masses I attend are done so “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit” :amen:

Mike
 
I have not found any official references yet, but I see no reason why non-Catholics cannot pray the Rosary or make the Sign of the Cross.

The Rosary, as we know it today, probably originated in the 12th century. The large Sign of the Cross we trace on ourselves originated even earlier; I think it was the 9th century.

These are thoroughly Christian sacramentals and devotions. Why many Protestant denominations have fallen away from these practices I do not know.
 
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travellinmike:
It’s no wonder the faith is being watered down if the RCIA instructors are teaching those coming into the flock that it’s optional to do the very basic outward signs. The sign of cross, genuflection, blessing oneself w/ holy water, etc.

To me the sign of the cross reminds me that the prayers I’m about to say or the Masses I attend are done so “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit” :amen:

Mike
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Mike,
They weren’t saying that as a Catholic these things are optional. And remember, right now, these RCIA classes are the “Period of Inquiry”. They are the initial ones for people who want to look into the Church’s teachings. I’ve never even been to mass (though I will begin going this Tuesday) and I think it would have been in poor taste for them to insist we make the sign of the cross. I didn’t this time, actually…because I didn’t know how. That doesn’t mean I won’t in the future, but I sure would have felt on the spot if they had said I had to do it.
 
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travellinmike:
It’s no wonder the faith is being watered down if the RCIA instructors are teaching those coming into the flock that it’s optional to do the very basic outward signs. The sign of cross, genuflection, blessing oneself w/ holy water, etc.
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Huh? Please cite anything in Church teaching that says any of these things are in fact required. They are not. Are they recommended? Sure. But I’m sure many of us were taught by the old nuns that we “had” to do these things, which was simply not true and never was.
 
Hugh Betcha:
Hello again all,

I’ve been on here for a little while now and not too long ago asked whether or not it was OK for a non-Catholic to pray the rosary, make the sign of the cross, etc. Everyone told me that it was totally allright to do these things, just not to take communion. Also I can’t be granted absolution. No problem. Then my soon to be mother in law tells me that only Catholics are supposed to do these things. Then I say no, all the folks on this forum said it was ok. Then my fiancee asks, but who are they, and how do they know? So how do I know that it’s OK? Is there something that I can point to in the CCC that says it’s ok? I’m ok with doing these things, I always try to be very respectful, but don’t wan’t to offend my mother in law by doing them. Keep in mind, these are really great people, I love them both dearly, I’d just like to be able to tell her something definitive. Should I ask the priest at their church? Thanks everyone!
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Look in the CCC under sacramentals. All sacramentals give Actual Grace, but not Sacramental Grace. All sacramentals are available for use by anyone, even those who are not Baptized.
 
I apologize. Yes those in RCIA are exploring the call of the Lord in the direction of the Catholic faith and are not yet initiated. Therefore complete adherance to the norms and traditions are not required of them.

If my tone sounded a little steamed, it was because I just got home from another butchered Mass. Sigh.

Mike
 
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rcn:
Huh? Please cite anything in Church teaching that says any of these things are in fact required. They are not. Are they recommended? Sure. But I’m sure many of us were taught by the old nuns that we “had” to do these things, which was simply not true and never was.
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Granted, they may not be written down anywhere in the official rules and regs but there are some things that Catholics are just supposed to do. Also, I’m sure what was recommended by the good sisters who devoted their entire lives to serving and honoring the Lord carries significantly more weight than a lay person from the parish who is conducting a class part time (often reading from a photocopied cheat sheet). The fact taht we’ve turned over instruction in the faith to lay people is mainly responsible for the touchy feely cuddly Catholicism that is infiltrating the Parishes. God forbid someone actually teaches what it means to be a good Catholic. It’ll be too difficult to get many converts from the protestant denominations.

God help us all if the powers that be persist in tailoring the faith to match a preconcieved demographic agenda.

Mike
 
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rcn:
Huh? Please cite anything in Church teaching that says any of these things are in fact required. They are not. Are they recommended? Sure. But I’m sure many of us were taught by the old nuns that we “had” to do these things, which was simply not true and never was.
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It’s in the Catechism. Good enough for me to follow. I guess the ‘old nuns’ as you call them were right after all.
usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt1art2.htm

2157 The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior’s grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties.
 
Hugh Betcha:
Hello again all,

I’ve been on here for a little while now and not too long ago asked whether or not it was OK for a non-Catholic to pray the rosary, make the sign of the cross, etc. Everyone told me that it was totally allright to do these things, just not to take communion. Also I can’t be granted absolution. No problem. Then my soon to be mother in law tells me that only Catholics are supposed to do these things. Then I say no, all the folks on this forum said it was ok. Then my fiancee asks, but who are they, and how do they know? So how do I know that it’s OK? Is there something that I can point to in the CCC that says it’s ok? I’m ok with doing these things, I always try to be very respectful, but don’t wan’t to offend my mother in law by doing them. Keep in mind, these are really great people, I love them both dearly, I’d just like to be able to tell her something definitive. Should I ask the priest at their church? Thanks everyone!
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…she wouldn’t doubt the “ole Lone Ranger”, would she?
 
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