Sign of the Cross at Communion

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Hi folks,

I apologize if this is the wrong place for this question. I will be entering the Catholic Church this Easter, and was recently instructed by my priest that they discourage (at least silently) doing the sign of the cross on oneself just after receiving communion, on one’s way back to the pews. The priest said that this was “discouraged” because communion is not a “silent prayer for yourself”, etc. Is this true? Thanks in advance.

God Bless

Jon
 
JonW said:
Hi folks,

I apologize if this is the wrong place for this question. I will be entering the Catholic Church this Easter, and was recently instructed by my priest that they discourage (at least silently) doing the sign of the cross on oneself just after receiving communion, on one’s way back to the pews. The priest said that this was “discouraged” because communion is not a “silent prayer for yourself”, etc. Is this true? Thanks in advance.

God Bless

Jon
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Yes, this is true. I say that but at the same time I too am guilty of it. I was taught incorrectly in my youth and some times unintentionally forget. 😦

PS - Welcome home! 👍
 
JonW said:
Hi folks,

I apologize if this is the wrong place for this question. I will be entering the Catholic Church this Easter, and was recently instructed by my priest that they discourage (at least silently) doing the sign of the cross on oneself just after receiving communion, on one’s way back to the pews. The priest said that this was “discouraged” because communion is not a “silent prayer for yourself”, etc. Is this true? Thanks in advance.

God Bless

Jon
Click to expand...
Some people do this as a cultural thing - and this is seen by different ‘styles’ of doing the sign of the cross.
 
I do this. But not because it’s a prayer for myself, but to show respect and reverence for what I have just received.
 
I do this. I don’t know why I shouldn’t… it helps me remember what I’ve just done as I give thanks. Aren’t we all praying silently when we walk away? Don’t most people believe that we’re to focus our thoughts inward, to where Jesus resides in his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity? Making the sign of the cross is an indulgenced act, after all.

Could someone give some sources that teach about this?

I really can’t imagine that it’s anything wrong, unless you’re in a situation where it’s just not done, in which case it can be distracting to others (who ought to have their eyes and thoughts focused elsewhere, anyway. Why or how could crossing oneself ever be problematic?

(Unless, of course, you’ve just scored a goal for Celtic FC. In which case, you will get in trouble with the police. I am not making this up.)
 
I remember once I was on a bus and we passed a funeral hearse with a coffin inside. You could spot the Catholics; or at least, so I thought, because I and another lady both crossed ourselves.
 
I’m a Catholic and I probably wouldn’t have thought to do that. It wasn’t something I was taught as a child. Sometimes, when I hear of or see certain things, I’ll cross myself, but I don’t automatically cross myself when I see a hearse or hear an ambulence (as someone I know was taught.) I’m sure I should… it’s just not something I’m in the habit of doing.
 
I’m not sure the Sign of the Cross is a “sign of reverence”. It is to be done** with** reverence to be sure which is rarely the case these days from what I see in Church. The Sign of the Cross is an expression of faith and the beginning and ending of prayer. If that is the reason that someone is doing it then they could continue. New people are instructed that it isn’t necessary because you are already in the prayer at that time.

This is one of those things that mystifies me but doesn’t overly concern me when I see it. The cause for concern is more the irreverant way folks do the Sign of the Cross. Hands flapping about , embarrassed and shameful looking. Pray for those folks and make sure you deliberately and prayerfully make your Sign.
 
JonW said:
I apologize if this is the wrong place for this question. I will be entering the Catholic Church this Easter, and was recently instructed by my priest that they discourage (at least silently) doing the sign of the cross on oneself just after receiving communion, on one’s way back to the pews. The priest said that this was “discouraged” because communion is not a “silent prayer for yourself”, etc. Is this true? Thanks in advance.
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…So it is okay if you do so out loud…? :confused: (I hope people can at least refrain from “talking while their mouths are full” :eek: so to …um… speak)

My apology if I am making too light here, but I really do not understand this “discouragement”?

tee
 
JonW said:
Hi folks,

I apologize if this is the wrong place for this question. I will be entering the Catholic Church this Easter, and was recently instructed by my priest that they discourage (at least silently) doing the sign of the cross on oneself just after receiving communion, on one’s way back to the pews. The priest said that this was “discouraged” because communion is not a “silent prayer for yourself”, etc. Is this true? Thanks in advance.

God Bless

Jon
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There is nothing wrong with the practice.
 
My wife and I sit near the front of the church for Sunday Mass and see how people receive Communion. Most people make the Sign of the Cross just after receiving Our Lord. It’s the way they start their thanksgiving prayer. How could making the sign of the Cross be wrong???
 
Maybe it would be wrong if we make the sign of the cross as an expression of disbelief in what we have taken in. I am sure that is not the intention.
 
scott122 said:
My wife and I sit near the front of the church for Sunday Mass and see how people receive Communion. Most people make the Sign of the Cross just after receiving Our Lord. It’s the way they start their thanksgiving prayer. How could making the sign of the Cross be wrong???
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I don’t believe that it is “wrong” per se, but rather unnecessary is how it was explained to me some time ago. Additionally, it is not in the GIRM and some may view it as “something extra being added” like the whole holding hands issue during the Our Father (let’s not start that debate here though please). Anyway, as I said earlier, I was taught as a child to make the sign of the cross after I receive. It wasn’t until recently that I was told it was not “supposed” to be done. Not really a “biggie” to me, as I often find myself continuing to make the sign of the cross after I receive. 🤷 God bless.
 
There is no Church document that states that the sign of the cross is improper after receiving the Eucharist. Such a document does not exist. The sign of the cross is always appropriate–like breathing in and out!
 
I was also taught to make the sign after the body & blood. Only last year it was posted in our bulletin that it is not a required act. So I didn’t take it as a direct no, but as a reminder that it is not required. Unlike when we started bowing during the creed our priest covered this aspect for the next 2 weeks.
 
Thanks very much for the replies. I understand that there is no official Church document discouraging doing the Sign of the Cross after receiving, but has this been commented on by someone in authority? Is there any consensus among authority, varying opinions? I guess I’ll google it.

God Bless

Jon
 
Jon, I won’t tell you how many years I have been doing this 🙂 , but many decades! I find it incredible that you were discouraged from what could be a reverent sign. It sounds more like someone’s opinion. If it’s official, it counters what the good nuns taught us all those years ago. Seems like so many practices now cater to the lowest common denominator. 😦

Welcome home!
 
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