Sign of the Cross after taking Communion

[JesuXPIPassio]

Hello.

In grade school, when they were preparing us for our first Communions, they told us to make the Sign of the Cross after we receive the Eucharist.

But then in High School, our religion teacher said it’s improper to do that since Jesus is in you so there’s no need to make the Sign of the Cross anymore.

What’s the proper thing to do?

 

[PhilotheaZ]

You may make the Sign of the Cross if you want to. Some people do, some do not. Nothing improper about it.

 

[LilyM]

There’s never anything improper about making the Sign of the Cross at any time whatsoever (even if you’re driving you can still steer with the other hand!), including after Communion.

 

[JesuXPIPassio]

There’s never anything improper about making the Sign of the Cross at any time whatsoever (even if you’re driving you can still steer with the other hand!), including after Communion.

Thanks for your response. Yeah, I thought that teacher’s advice was a little odd too. Thanks you guys for helping me clear this up.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hello.

In grade school, when they were preparing us for our first Communions, they told us to make the Sign of the Cross after we receive the Eucharist.

But then in High School, our religion teacher said it’s improper to do that since Jesus is in you so there’s no need to make the Sign of the Cross anymore.

What’s the proper thing to do?

Make the sign of the Cross, if you want.
I do.

 

[HoosierGal]

According to this article (and others I’ve read but can’t find) you can get a partial indulgence any time you make the sign of the cross. It also says that you should make the sign after Communion. Personally I don’t see how it could ever be wrong to make the sign of the cross.

FISHEATERS article

 

[nerddad]

i do it because i think the sign of the cross is the best way to start my after communion prayer, Anima Christi etc.

 

[MarieVeronica]

Making the Sign of the Cross, after receiving Jesus… is a way of saying… “Father, Son and Holy Spirit… I have faith in You”. So, I always do. God bless.

 

[stuart12]

when i was coming into the Church after the RCIA programme, our parish priest said there was no need to make the Sign of the Cross after receiving Holy Communion, as it may lead the gesture to be abused. I don’t do it, but many at our parish do. Not got a problem with it either.

 

[davy39]

I not only make the sign of the Cross after Communion, but I’ve developed this habit of making it when I drive by a Catholic church. I started doing this when I fell away from the Church many years ago. Many that helped bring me back, who knows?

 

[totustuus2345]

Praised be Jesus Christ!

It’s just like receiving on the knees, genuflecting, or bowing, a preferance…

XC
Pat

 

[Michael038]

Nothing wrong with making the sign of the cross, I do it after I receive and return to the kneeler.

 

[Fludgecow101]

I not only make the sign of the Cross after Communion, but I’ve developed this habit of making it when I drive by a Catholic church. I started doing this when I fell away from the Church many years ago. Many that helped bring me back, who knows?

i do it passing a church because Jesus is in the tabernacle

 

[Tepeyac]

i do it passing a church because Jesus is in the tabernacle

In a way, for a while after you take communion you are also a tabernacle of the Lord.

I also cross myself after receiving communion and I don’t see anything wrong with that. If we cross ourselves when sprinkled with holy water, why not after receiving communion?

 

[Light_Seeker]

I sign after communion, noticed some people do, some don’t.

A parish priest mentioned at RCIA it was fine to sign after communion, but improper to stop & genuflect or sign to the cross afterwards, as the body is within you, & not a symbol.

But I have noticed many in my parish doing this.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

You may make the Sign of the Cross if you want to. Some people do, some do not. Nothing improper about it.

Exactly, it is more of a personal thing you can or cannot do. I would expect that some parishes had it in First Communion studies, but that would be a local tradition at best.

 

[freshwind]

I think it is appropriate, we were always taught that in school.
Also, as a child I was taught to make the sign of the cross anytime passing a Catholic Church because of the Tabernacle and Real Presence.
It was also the way my parents taught me about the difference between Catholics and Protestants.
We were also taught that when you say the name of the Lord you are to bow your head, I see very few doing this at church anymore…but it is a great habit, makes it nearly impossible to use the Lord’s name in vain if you have the habit of bowing to the utterance each time.

Times were different growing up in the 60’s, but our current Holy Father is working to bring back the sacred…

 

[Sam_Maloney]

Please, let’s stop using the protestant form ‘Take’ communion.

We Catholics RECEIVE.

Why?

Because we take what we’ve earned, but we recieve gifts.

Can you can honestly say that you’ve earned the Eucharist, God owes it to you, you deserve it?

If not, then don’t take, receive.

Using the correct words helps us with correct thinking.

 

[EasterJoy]

A parish priest mentioned at RCIA it was fine to sign after communion, but improper to stop & genuflect or sign to the cross afterwards, as the body is within you, & not a symbol.

I was also taught that if you are carrying a pyx containing the Blessed Sacrament that you do not genuflect to the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle in the church when you leave, because you must always remain and outwardly act mindful of the fact that you carry a tiny tabernacle along with you.

 

[bilop]

I sign after communion, noticed some people do, some don’t.

A parish priest mentioned at RCIA it was fine to sign after communion, but improper to stop & genuflect or sign to the cross afterwards, as the body is within you, & not a symbol.

But I have noticed many in my parish doing this.

Correct, you would genuflect before receiving, make the sign of the cross after. That’s what I do.

God Bless