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Eilish_Maura
Guest
I did not get from the post that it was being discouraged as a sign of reverence but of being seen as officially part of the process.
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jmcrae
Guest
I have been making the Sign of the Cross after receiving Holy Communion ever since my First Holy Communion, nearly seven years ago. I have never heard of it not being allowed.
I learned to do this from someone who was a cradle Catholic, after my RCIA instructor (who was also a convert) was being vague about the procedure for receiving Holy Communion.
After she wouldn’t tell me, I asked my Catholic friend, and he explained to me in detail what the nuns had taught him to do when he was a kid, which included making the Sign of the Cross after receiving, and then kneeling in the pew until the priest stands up for the final prayer and blessing. I have always done it that way, and nobody has ever mentioned anything about it being “wrong.”
I learned to do this from someone who was a cradle Catholic, after my RCIA instructor (who was also a convert) was being vague about the procedure for receiving Holy Communion.
After she wouldn’t tell me, I asked my Catholic friend, and he explained to me in detail what the nuns had taught him to do when he was a kid, which included making the Sign of the Cross after receiving, and then kneeling in the pew until the priest stands up for the final prayer and blessing. I have always done it that way, and nobody has ever mentioned anything about it being “wrong.”
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YADA
Guest
I see people who do this and people who don’t … it is not necessary.
We instruct our Candidates and Catechumens on receiving the Eucharist … if one asks about that practice we tell them it is not necessary but that some cathcolics make the sign of the cross upon reception for cultural or other reasons…
Now this is just an observation: of those who cross themselves after reception. If they receive both the Body and the Blood, about three-quarters will only make the sign after receiving the Body and not after receiving the Blood …
I have always wondered about that … if you are only going to do it once, why before reception of the Blood and not after?
If it is important or significant for the Body, why is it not so for the Blood?
We instruct our Candidates and Catechumens on receiving the Eucharist … if one asks about that practice we tell them it is not necessary but that some cathcolics make the sign of the cross upon reception for cultural or other reasons…
Now this is just an observation: of those who cross themselves after reception. If they receive both the Body and the Blood, about three-quarters will only make the sign after receiving the Body and not after receiving the Blood …
I have always wondered about that … if you are only going to do it once, why before reception of the Blood and not after?
If it is important or significant for the Body, why is it not so for the Blood?
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jmcrae
Guest
I don’t know. I do it after both, if I am receiving under both species. That’s just what makes sense to me, though.
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happyseppy
Guest
wow, sad
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kimaz
Guest
My priest has said that making the Sign of the Cross after recieving Communion is not necessary but its not wrong either. It really depends on how you were taught. I was taught during my time at a Catholic elementary school that making the Sign of the Cross was the right thing to do.
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english_guy
Guest
I always make the sign of the cross when receiving Holy Communion,I think it is respectful,it makes me more aware of the presence of our Lord,and it helps to focus my thoughts.
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pmoo
Guest
I received my first communion on Easter, 2007. In RCIA, we learned to take the host(body) and take one step to the side before eating it. I specifically asked about crossing myself and I was told it’s not necessary, but I wasnt told NOT to do it. However, you will probably notice that the ministers of the eucharist do not cross themselves when they receive the host, nor do the deacons or altar servers. I hope this helps.
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SimonX
Guest
Ditto!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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Newzie52
Guest
Me, too; I don’t know that I could stop - it would take great force of will, as I’ve done this for 40+ years. This is what the Sisters taught us, along with bowing one’s head at hearing the name of Jesus. I’ve always regarded it as a simple sign of reverence…that’s all.
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laudamus_te
Guest
Why would one NOT make the sign of the cross after Communion? It is a Sacrament, after all. Just another modernist attempt to bring us more in line with the Protestants, I think. Can you people who don’t see a problem with this not see what is happening to your Church, right before your eyes? First, discourage kneeling until it is almost non-existant, then start discouraging the Sign of the Cross. Yet you just swallow it blindly!
The Sign of the Cross is an ancient and venerable custom of our religion.
“For 20 centuries we may say the Church has lived on the Sign of the Cross. She has not, for a single instant, ceased to employ it. She commences, continues, finishes everything by this Sign. Among all her practices, the Sign of the Cross is the principal, the most ordinary, the most familiar. It is the soul of her exorcisms, prayers and benedictions.”
“There are on earth five classes of persons that do not make the Sign of the Cross.
First, pagans, the adorers of monstrous idols, nations most deeply degraded, yet not the less unhappy, do not make the Sign of the Cross.
Second, the Mahometans do not make the Sign of the Cross.
Third, the Jews do not make the Sign of the Cross.
Fourth, heretics, impertinent sectaries, who have pretended to reform the work of God, who, in punishment of their pride, have lost even the last remnant of truth… Protestants do not make the Sign of the Cross.
Fifth, bad Cathollics, renegades to their baptism, slaves of human respect, haughty in their ignorance, who speak of everything, yet know nothing; adorers of the god of their belly, of the god of the flesh, of the god of matter; whose private life is like a sullied garment - they do not make the Sign of the Cross.”
These exerpts taken from The Sign of the Cross, by Monsignor Jean-Joseph Gaume, 1873.
The Sign of the Cross is an ancient and venerable custom of our religion.
“For 20 centuries we may say the Church has lived on the Sign of the Cross. She has not, for a single instant, ceased to employ it. She commences, continues, finishes everything by this Sign. Among all her practices, the Sign of the Cross is the principal, the most ordinary, the most familiar. It is the soul of her exorcisms, prayers and benedictions.”
“There are on earth five classes of persons that do not make the Sign of the Cross.
First, pagans, the adorers of monstrous idols, nations most deeply degraded, yet not the less unhappy, do not make the Sign of the Cross.
Second, the Mahometans do not make the Sign of the Cross.
Third, the Jews do not make the Sign of the Cross.
Fourth, heretics, impertinent sectaries, who have pretended to reform the work of God, who, in punishment of their pride, have lost even the last remnant of truth… Protestants do not make the Sign of the Cross.
Fifth, bad Cathollics, renegades to their baptism, slaves of human respect, haughty in their ignorance, who speak of everything, yet know nothing; adorers of the god of their belly, of the god of the flesh, of the god of matter; whose private life is like a sullied garment - they do not make the Sign of the Cross.”
These exerpts taken from The Sign of the Cross, by Monsignor Jean-Joseph Gaume, 1873.
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JonW
Guest
I don’t know folks. I’ve been looking around at a lot of sources, and the consensus among authority that actually mentions it (which isn’t many) is that it is not necessary to either do the sign or not do the sign after receiving communion.
If that is truly the case, I would say, for my part anyway, that the best way to go would be to pray about and discern what making the sign at that time means to me, and whether not making the sign might be better for the parish community as a whole, i.e., we don’t want to give the impression that receiving Eucharist is a personal prayer, but rather is a communal sacrament.
I undrestand that many people have done it for many years, some consciously, some not. For that reason, many would be loathe to stop. But, what does anybody think about the points on both sides in my second paragraph?
God Bless
Jon
If that is truly the case, I would say, for my part anyway, that the best way to go would be to pray about and discern what making the sign at that time means to me, and whether not making the sign might be better for the parish community as a whole, i.e., we don’t want to give the impression that receiving Eucharist is a personal prayer, but rather is a communal sacrament.
I undrestand that many people have done it for many years, some consciously, some not. For that reason, many would be loathe to stop. But, what does anybody think about the points on both sides in my second paragraph?
God Bless
Jon
O
oneGODoneCHURCH
Guest
I Cross myself I was taught to cross myself after receiving. I’m 42 so its not like that its just an old habit. My thinking is not crossing oneself after communion shows lack of instruction or improper instructions.
I attended a Divine Liturgy of the E O one time now there are some people that Cross themselves. If the proper form ( not just flapping hands around as mention in a post above) it is never wrong to cross one self.
I attended a Divine Liturgy of the E O one time now there are some people that Cross themselves. If the proper form ( not just flapping hands around as mention in a post above) it is never wrong to cross one self.
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laudamus_te
Guest
Receiving the Eucharist is very personal. I simply don’t understand the thinking of the priest, except that it goes along with the other modern trends which are borne out of respect for fellow men rather than respect for God. For example, remaining standing until all have returned to their pews. My biggest concern here is not whether one does or does not make the Sign of the Cross, but the fact that a priest is actively discouraging it. It should not matter. Personally, I say a short prayer immediately after receiving, and it is normal to finish it with a Sign of the Cross.
Always remember that the Sign of the Cross is an ancient and venerable custom of the Catholic Church, and one which the devil hates.
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jedi
Guest
Dear JonW,
welcome to the Catholic church, may god bless you.
Prospera Pascha sit…Happy Easter.
welcome to the Catholic church, may god bless you.
Prospera Pascha sit…Happy Easter.
T
twopekinguys
Guest
As an RCIA coordinator for our parish, I have to say, we deal with this situation every year.
We have had priests say that the Sign of The Cross should only be made at the beginning, and ending of the Mass. Then we get another priest that says it is a personal sign of devotion. So unfortunately, the parish position seems to be in a state of flux at all times.
I think the key is how it is done. In Matthew 6, we read “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them.”
We see people that very discreetly make the Sign of The Cross, and we also see those that make the largest Sign possible.
I truly believe it is a personal devotion, and shouldn’t be a public display.
We tell our soon to be new Catholics, that it is their option, and not mandatory by any means.
We have had priests say that the Sign of The Cross should only be made at the beginning, and ending of the Mass. Then we get another priest that says it is a personal sign of devotion. So unfortunately, the parish position seems to be in a state of flux at all times.
I think the key is how it is done. In Matthew 6, we read “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them.”
We see people that very discreetly make the Sign of The Cross, and we also see those that make the largest Sign possible.
I truly believe it is a personal devotion, and shouldn’t be a public display.
We tell our soon to be new Catholics, that it is their option, and not mandatory by any means.
S
sevendolours
Guest
In the classical rite of the Mass the sign of the cross is made several times during the liturgy. It is made near the end of the Gloria, Credo, etc, as a sign of affirmation and faith in the promises of Christ.
Bearing in mind why they were made, we can clearly see that there is nothing wrong in continuing the practice to show our conviction in the Real Presence.
God bless.
Bearing in mind why they were made, we can clearly see that there is nothing wrong in continuing the practice to show our conviction in the Real Presence.
God bless.
R
Richie_Nelson
Guest
“May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life”
At this spot early in mass, I see some people cross themselves, and others don’t. Some reason why or why not?
thanks, Richie
At this spot early in mass, I see some people cross themselves, and others don’t. Some reason why or why not?
thanks, Richie
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johnnydigit
Guest
hm uniformity vs. personal reverence… all i know is it takes a lot of humility and it can even hurt more to not do something when you really want to… and God knows in your heart you wanted to.
they teach in the seminary that often uniformity in the Mass is more important.
St. Francis once had a brother who was aching and dying from hunger from fasting. St. Francis had all the brothers come join him for a meal. they wanted to show more reverence and get closer to God by fasting hardcore, but instead they chose to sacrifice and eat with the sick brother out of charity… i see that as a perfect example of humility in a whole new way.
they teach in the seminary that often uniformity in the Mass is more important.
St. Francis once had a brother who was aching and dying from hunger from fasting. St. Francis had all the brothers come join him for a meal. they wanted to show more reverence and get closer to God by fasting hardcore, but instead they chose to sacrifice and eat with the sick brother out of charity… i see that as a perfect example of humility in a whole new way.
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laudamus_te
Guest
Those who cross themselves at that point are most likely familiar with the Traditional Latin Mass. During the prayers at the foot of the altar, when the priest says the prayer “Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum, tribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus,” both priest and faithful cross themselves. It is translated as “May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.” The priest repeats this to the faithful before Communion, after the third confiteor.
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