Question about making the Sign of the Cross

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DaMaMaXiMuS

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Greetings, and peace unto you all,

I’ve recently stated the RCIA program in my old neighborhood parish. My old neighborhood is predominately hispanic. Anyway I had a question about something that the RCIA instructor spoke about.

She said that the practice of making a small Sign of the Cross over the forehead, mouth, and heart is a practice mainly done among hispanic catholics. She gave of the name of the practice in spanish, I’ve left my note pad at work so I can’t list here, and that she didn’t know of any english terms for it. From what I remember she explained that the practice of doing the sign of the cross in this manner was to ask for protection against evil thoughts (mind), speaking evil with the tongue (mouth), and having hatred in the heart.

Anyone knows of this practice and what the english term for it is? Also does anyone know where I can read up on it to learn more information. I would like to bring it to my RCIA class.

God Bless You All,

Nelson
 
Hmmm, not seen that here and we have a high Hispanic population. I know that everyone makes the Sign(s) before the Gospel, but I was unaware of people doing so outside of Mass. I would also be interested to know if anyone has any information about it.
 
I’ve seen it done here in So. California (high Hispanic population), and I’ve always wondered! Anyone? :confused:
 
Before the gospel, we always cross ourselves and I also make the gesture you describe as does everyone I’ve ever known…but so that the word of God may be in my thoughts, on my lips and in my heart. I’ve never heard of the protection against evil thing.
 
Actually I failed to mention that this was done in a part of the Mass, maybe it was before reading the gospel.

And Canne, your probably correct. I may have rememered incorrectly what the instructor said. Canne would you know what the term for this practice is in spanish and english?

I’ve sent my question to an Apologist, let’s see what they say.

Nelson
 
She said that the practice of making a small Sign of the Cross over the forehead, mouth, and heart is a practice mainly done among hispanic catholics.
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I do this during the reading of the Gospel saying “Lord, help keep my thoughts, words and actions clean and pure”.

Maybe these links will help:
newadvent.org/cathen/13785a.htm
ewtn.com/expert/answers/sign_of_the_cross.htm

Also, you can mediate on three great mysteries of our Faith while making the Sign of the Cross (The Incanation, Death and Ressurection of our Lord Jesus Christ).
 
In the Roman Catholic church it is one of those things everyone is supposed to do before the Gospel. I think we didn’t do it until our first communion though. But it’s common and a standard practice before communion. Heck, nothing wrong with doing it normally either I would think, you’re making three signs of the cross, what a nice way to say a prayer.
 
Hi Maximus,

This is from a spanish language catechism:

**9.-¿De cuántas maneras usa el cristiano la señal de la Cruz? **-Elcristiano usa la señal de la Cruz de dos maneras, que son: signarse y santiguarse.

10.-¿Qué es signarse? - Signarse es hacer tres cruces con el dedo pulgar de la mano derecha: la primera en la frente, diciendo: *Por la señal de la santa *Cruz; la segunda en la boca, diciendo: *de nuestros enemigos; y la *tercera en el pecho, diciendo: líbranos, Señor, Dios nuestro.

**11.-¿Qué es santiguarse? **-Santiguarse es hacer una cruz con la mano derecha desde la frente al pecho, y desde el hombro izquierdo al derecho, diciendo: En el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo. Amén.

**12.-¿Cuándo conviene hacer la señal de la Cruz? - **Conviene hacer la señal de la Cruz principalmente al levantarnos, al salir de casa, al entrar en la Iglesia, al empezar el trabajo, antes de comer, al acostarnos y, sobre todo, al vernos en alguna necesidad, tentación o peligro.

Which basically says that the three little crosses are known as the “signarse” and hasitly translated says “By the sign of your Holy Cross, free us from our enimies O Lord.”

Hope that helps?
God Bless,
VC
 
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DaMaMaXiMuS:
She said that the practice of making a small Sign of the Cross over the forehead, mouth, and heart is a practice mainly done among hispanic catholics. She gave of the name of the practice in spanish, I’ve left my note pad at work so I can’t list here, and that she didn’t know of any english terms for it. From what I remember she explained that the practice of doing the sign of the cross in this manner was to ask for protection against evil thoughts (mind), speaking evil with the tongue (mouth), and having hatred in the heart.
Nelson
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I’ve always been taught it means “on my mind, on my lips and in my heart”
 
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canne:
Before the gospel, we always cross ourselves and I also make the gesture you describe as does everyone I’ve ever known…but so that the word of God may be in my thoughts, on my lips and in my heart. I’ve never heard of the protection against evil thing.
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Same here.
 
Thanks Verbum Caro!

Your post really helped. As did everyone else’s.

Nelson
 
I’ve always wondered about the specifics of this myself. Do you do it with the tip of your thumb or the first knuckle? I know that sounds strange, but it’s one of the areas of Catholic practice that I’m still ignorant of.
 
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seeker63:
I’ve always wondered about the specifics of this myself. Do you do it with the tip of your thumb or the first knuckle? I know that sounds strange, but it’s one of the areas of Catholic practice that I’m still ignorant of.
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I’ve always seen it (and done it) with the tip of the thumb.

I don’t think it’s just Hispanic Catholics, either – I always saw this growing up, and there were almost no Hispanic people in that town.

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I would agree with Maxamimus et al I was shown an alternative way …which is to hold I believe you your thumb, index and middle finger together …ring and pinky finger aside. One is the trinity the other humanity and holiness of JESUS. I hope I have not messes this up
 
This was briefly gone over in my RCIA, but not dwelt upon. I don’t see everyone in my parish do it. I try to remember to do it, but usually think about it too late and have to rush through and usually cross my forehead, nose, and lips instead. There’s a lot of practices I’m still behind on, though I’ve been a Catholic since December.
 
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