Questions about the Sign of the Cross

[Inquirer123]

Hello everyone,

I have a few questions about the Sign of the Cross: 1) Is it necessary to sign oneself before reciting a litany, saying morning and evening prayers, and other vocal prayers? 2) I know it should be done before and after every meal (along with saying grace), but does it have to be done before taking small snacks or a drink of water? 3) Must we say “In the name of the Father…etc.” every time we sign ourselves, or can we sign ourselves silently (for example, when passing a church, before reading the Bible, etc.). I’m not overly worried about how and when to sign myself, but I’m still new to all this and want to do it right!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Hello everyone,

I have a few questions about the Sign of the Cross: 1) Is it necessary to sign oneself before reciting a litany, saying morning and evening prayers, and other vocal prayers?

Necessary? No. Good and pious practice? Yes.

1. I know it should be done before and after every meal (along with saying grace), but does it have to be done before taking small snacks or a drink of water?

Should, not must (just for clarity). Snacks - up to you. It doesn’t hurt, but then again, if you omit it, nothing evil will befall you because of that. I doubt many people actually get grace in at every single meal. I know I forget from time to time. I said grace today with only a bite of lunch left.

1. Must we say “In the name of the Father…etc.” every time we sign ourselves, or can we sign ourselves silently (for example, when passing a church, before reading the Bible, etc.). I’m not overly worried about how and when to sign myself, but I’m still new to all this and want to do it right!

I cross myself silently often. I say the words aloud when I feel it’s appropriate (esp. my first prayer of the day and bedtime, but that’s my personal preference). There are even some liturgies that don’t have that precise formula of words attached to the Sign of the Cross, such as the Liturgy of the Hours.

**MUSTS don’t exist in personal, private prayer. Only prayer within the context of the public liturgies of the Church have rubrics. As another poster on another of your threads suggested, find a good priest for spiritual direction.
**
Thanks in advance!

 

[Techno2000]

Hello everyone,

I have a few questions about the Sign of the Cross: 1) Is it necessary to sign oneself before reciting a litany, saying morning and evening prayers, and other vocal prayers? 2) I know it should be done before and after every meal (along with saying grace), but does it have to be done before taking small snacks or a drink of water? 3) Must we say “In the name of the Father…etc.” every time we sign ourselves, or can we sign ourselves silently (for example, when passing a church, before reading the Bible, etc.). I’m not overly worried about how and when to sign myself, but I’m still new to all this and want to do it right!

Thanks in advance!

I think the only time you are required to make the sign of the Cross is at Mass.

 

[Slartibartfast]

This is a good question because I have been wondering why it is that during Mass, near the beginning at the point when the Priest says “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.”
that some people cross themselves whilst others don’t. Any ideas?

 

[felsguy]

I think the only time you are required to make the sign of the Cross is at Mass.

We are never** required** to make the Sign of the Cross. It is appropriate that we do so at the beginning of Mass and at the Last Blessing. As stated above, it is an appropriate gesture at other times, such as at the beginning of our personal prayers or even when passing a Catholic church if and when we freely choose to do so.

Edit: It might be well to have a discussion with

 

[felsguy]

We are never** required** to make the Sign of the Cross. It is appropriate that we do so at the beginning of Mass and at the Last Blessing (edit: and during the Penitential Rite). As stated above, it is an appropriate gesture at other times, such as at the beginning of our personal prayers or even when passing a Catholic church if and when we freely choose to do so.

Edit: Seeing that you are new, it might be beneficial to have a discussion with your priest about Catholic practices and expectations.

 

[Bonnie]

This is a good question because I have been wondering why it is that during Mass, near the beginning at the point when the Priest says “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.”
that some people cross themselves whilst others don’t. Any ideas?

Been doing that for so long I don’t remember how I got started on it! My first parish, when I was a new Catholic, had a lot of elderly people - I probably picked it up from them. I do the same when the priest absolves me at confession.

 

[Usige]

This is a good question because I have been wondering why it is that during Mass, near the beginning at the point when the Priest says “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.”
that some people cross themselves whilst others don’t. Any ideas?

The Sign of the Cross is a sacramental and carries with it a partial indulgence. One of the purposes for making the Sign of the Cross is to prepare to receive graces through prayer and blessings.

During the Indulgentiam (at least I believe that is what that prayer used to be called) it was traditional to make the Sign of the Cross because we are being blessed and pardoned for our venial sins. It is a pious custom similar to saying “my lord and my God” (Dominus meus et Deus meus) when looking at the consecrated species when they are raised (also carries a partial indulgence I seem to remember). I suspect many people don’t do it because they never were taught too.

 

[petra22]

I just like to make the sign of the cross. It keep me close to Jesus…

 

[Inquirer123]

Thank you for responding so clearly and thoroughly, point by point. I will keep searching and praying to find a spiritual director (as you know, they are not everywhere and also, from what I understand, spiritual direction is a rather special and unique vocation).

felsguy:

We are never** required** to make the Sign of the Cross. It is appropriate that we do so at the beginning of Mass and at the Last Blessing (edit: and during the Penitential Rite). As stated above, it is an appropriate gesture at other times, such as at the beginning of our personal prayers or even when passing a Catholic church if and when we freely choose to do so.

Edit: Seeing that you are new, it might be beneficial to have a discussion with your priest about Catholic practices and expectations.

Another excellent response - thank you!

This is a good question because I have been wondering why it is that during Mass, near the beginning at the point when the Priest says “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.”
that some people cross themselves whilst others don’t. Any ideas?

I agree; I sign myself at that this moment of the Mass, but notice many who don’t. Like another poster said, though, many Catholics simply haven’t been taught to do so…

The Sign of the Cross is a sacramental and carries with it a partial indulgence. One of the purposes for making the Sign of the Cross is to prepare to receive graces through prayer and blessings.

During the Indulgentiam (at least I believe that is what that prayer used to be called) it was traditional to make the Sign of the Cross because we are being blessed and pardoned for our venial sins. It is a pious custom similar to saying “my lord and my God” (Dominus meus et Deus meus) when looking at the consecrated species when they are raised (also carries a partial indulgence I seem to remember). I suspect many people don’t do it because they never were taught too.

I didn’t know the Sign of the Cross was a sacramental! How interesting - I’ll think about that from now on when I sign myself (non-scrupulously, of course!).

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I agree; I sign myself at that this moment of the Mass, but notice many who don’t. Like another poster said, though, many Catholics simply haven’t been taught to do so…

Catholics aren’t taught to do so because this isn’t something that is part of the Ordinary Form of the Mass; it’s a tradition carried over from the Extraordinary Form. It’s not wrong to do, but it isn’t required or expected.

 

[fred_conty]

The reverent sign of the cross is a powerful way and one of the best ways to counter temptations of all kinds. Very effective.

 

[Inquirer123]

Catholics aren’t taught to do so because this isn’t something that is part of the Ordinary Form of the Mass; it’s a tradition carried over from the Extraordinary Form. It’s not wrong to do, but it isn’t required or expected.

Ah, I see, I didn’t know that either…

 

[Wildgraywolf]

My grandmother will tell you that you should make the sign of the cross when you pass a church, hospital, cemetery or emergency vehicle.

 

[sirach2v4]

This is a good question because I have been wondering why it is that during Mass, near the beginning at the point when the Priest says “May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.”
that some people cross themselves whilst others don’t. Any ideas?

Previously, in the Latin Mass, the priest made the SOTC with those words.

I think the reform of the liturgy brought a deliberate reduction in the use of SOTC during Mass.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Previously, in the Latin Mass, the priest made the SOTC with those words.

I think the reform of the liturgy brought a deliberate reduction in the use of SOTC during Mass.

OF = 4-7 times the Sign of the Cross is called for (but several opportunities for laity to add that aren’t mentioned in the rubrics)

EF = 50+ times in the rubrics

 

[csrcia]

The reverent sign of the cross is a powerful way and one of the best ways to counter temptations of all kinds. Very effective.

I concur.