Sign of the Cross at Communion

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twopekinguys said:
We see people that very discreetly make the Sign of The Cross, and we also see those that make the largest Sign possible.
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The Sign of the Cross should be done properly and with thought of what you are doing. I used to make it hurriedly, almost as though I was embarassed to do it. But since I now only attend the Traditional Latin Mass, I have been influenced by the priests and faithful who make slow, deliberate Signs. I will quote again from Mgr. Gaume’s excellent book, The Sign of the Cross:

"As to their manner of making the Sign of the Cross, it would be better to say nothing about it; it is capable of puzzling the most learned explainer of hieroglyphics. A motion of the hand, careless, hurried, mechanical, and imperfect, to which it is impossible to assign a form, or give a signification, unless that the actors themselves do not attach the least importance to what they do - behold their Sign of the Cross every Sunday.

Among that crowd of Christians you will scarcely meet any who make this venerable Sign of Salvation carefully, correctly, and religiously.

If, then, in a public place and under such solemn circumstances, the greater number of persons do not make the Sign of the Cross, or make it badly, I can scarcely persuade myself that they make it, and make it well, in other cases, where there are, apparently, fewer motives to do so."
 
I rather like the practice of crossing myself after communion. Everyone at my parish does it and I have never heard of it being inappropriate. For those that don’t wish to do so, I am sure no one will take issue with their “correct?” choice.
 
well it is a lot to ask - maybe we should reduce it to a nod of the head, maybe a wink or perhaps a thumbs up?
 
the arguement that we should not make the sign of cross because a parish has dropped this devotion is absurd. Should we just drop every sign of reverence as it becomes the norm?

I used to think that the liturgy is a sacred deposit of faith and Tradition. I used to believe in lex orandi lex credendi - perhaps I should say lex populi lex credendi.
 
I’ve noticed that a lot of the “little things” that I learned as a child seem to have fallen by the wayside. Many people don’t cross themselves after receiving Communion. Very few people genuflect, anymore. People arrive late and, instead of kneeling to say a prayer or two, as I was taught to do as a child, they simply join in the Mass at whatever point at which they arrive. I was taught that, during certain prayers, ones makes a small gesture of penance such as beating the chest lightly with a fisted hand. I rarely see this anymore. I was also taught that, after Communion, the congregation is to remain kneeling until the priest finishes at the altar table and takes his seat. Again, I don’t see this very often. I’m not sure why these practices are so seldom used. I miss the old ways of doing things. There’s a lot to be said for the old traditions.
 
Making the Sign of the Cross after receiving Holy Communion is considered redundant because your “amen” acknowledges that you believe you are receiving the Trinity in the Eucharist. OK to do, though

You may earn a partial indulgence each and every time you make a reverent Sign of the Cross.
 
“in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti” in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit is the pray that goes along with making the sign of cross. I begin my prayers and end my prays this way. It is also a pray unto itself receive the Eucharist the Amen is your agreement that it is the body and Blood of Christ the pray is the sign of the cross for being granted by God this gift.
 
laudamus_te said:
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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That would make sense.
 
never thought that this was discouraged by the Church… hmm how should correct this to myself… am i doing wrong since i do sometimes or hehehe always… make the sign of the cross and too many pinoys doing this hmmm…
 
I have been Catholic all my life, although I was just confirmed during the Easter Vigil this year.

Last night, I spoke to my RCIA instructor and told her about this thread!
She told that while it isn’t a necessary practice, that it is definitely not wrong and disrespectful.

I will continue to do it, as I have for the past 17 years 🙂
 
i was taught as a kid to make the sign of the cross after receiving communion, but you had to do it while looking at the crucifix. it’s like saying ‘thank you Jesus for giving up your life for me’.

i was even taught to cross myself when passing by a Catholic church, though only recently did i find out why (at least that’s what an older Catholic told me).

genuflection in question here is genuflection when entering pews or before receiving communion? priests at the parish have discouraged genuflection/kneeling before communion and have encouraged bowing your heads right up till you reach the priest. i guess this is just a practical move as the lines are really long some time?🤷
 
May I join this forum. Sign of the Cross is a sign of victory. Without the Cross of Jesus Christ, the original sin is not defeated. With the Cross of Jesus Christ, we are saved. In other words, the sign of the cross also indicates that our faith is catholic. Other dominations never apply the sign of the cross. We are not necessarily shy by applying the sign of the cross in the public. It is my share.

Shalom,

Justinus, Indonesia
 
Again, the sign of the cross at communion. During the communion, we are united with Jesus Christ who provides His Body and Blood. Whoever receives His Body and Blood, he will be saved and will obtain eternal life. The sign of the cross always presents the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. We are once again united with the Trinity. Again it is the sign of victory. It is my share.

God Bless You,

Justinus, Indonesia
 
markadm said:
I do this. But not because it’s a prayer for myself, but to show respect and reverence for what I have just received.
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Ditto! Infact, back in Holland when I converted in 1989 my priest TAUGHT me to do this:shrug: !

Anna x
 
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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The priest/minister just said to me “The body/blood of Christ” and I respondend, “Amen.” Heck YES I’m going to make the sign of the cross and continue to do it.

I was taught to do this when I first received Communion (at the rail) and NOT incorrectly. Making the sign of the cross need not indicate that a thing is a silent prayer.
 
HOPEFUL_IN_UK said:
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.
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I cross myself whenever I pass by a Catholic church in reverence to Christ in the tabernacle. Also, someone had mentioned it being the beginning and ending of prayer, not a singular sign of reverence. I was taught that it, in itself, is a prayer and can indeed stand alone.

Oh, I’d also love to hear more about getting into trouble with the police if you cross yourself when the Celtic FC win. Sounds interesting!

Just my $.02

trob
 
I also make the sign of the cross after receiving the body and blood of Christ. I was also taught to make the sign of the cross when the priest holds up the sacrament during the consecration. Any one else do or have seen this?

George
 
Now WRT this thread, we seem to have a consensus; it’s not required, not forbidden, usually laudable.

I also cross myself when receiving a blessing, including absolution in the confessional. I follow in unison with the priest.

I didn’t usually cross myself when being passed by a hearse: it usually happened when I was in uniform, and so it meant dismounting and saluting. I got so used to that, when a hearse passed by, I doffed my cap.

A protestant friend used to do it when an ambulance went by – she said it just seemed like the right thing to do.

This apparently is a Latin Rite custom, because in a FAQ I read once for a Byzantine Church, they said do not bless yourself sice the priest is already blessing you.

As for prayers – when I was little, I used to think that making the sign of the cross “turned on” the prayers at the beginning and “turned them off” at the end: kind of like picking up and hanging up a phone. I remember once forgetting if I had made the sign of the cross at the beginning of my prayers, and wondering then if I hadn’t, were my prayers not getting through? :rolleyes:
 
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