I don’t know of any etiquette in any Protestant church that forbids one to make the sign of the cross before one prays. The pastor should have limited his remarks on the life of your aunt and how she will be missed, not on insulting the grieving family. Very unprofessional and unkind.A few weeks ago, my aunt passed away. Her memorial service was held in a Baptist church because she was a Baptist. During the service, the pastor made a few critical comments about Catholicism (ex: went on a rant about purgatory) which I found very inappropriate for a memorial service to begin with, but especially because her husband of 20 years is a Catholic? That’s another story though.
Anyway, when we would pray during the service I’d make the sign of the cross because I do that every time I pray. This pastor gave me an odd look, as I was sitting in the front row. I was wondering if this is considered inappropriate or disrespectful at a Protestant service?I don’t frequent Protestant services (this was actually my 2nd time ever attending one) but I just wondered what the etiquette was as far as that is concerened. Thank you!
There was a time, not that long ago, when all Christians made the Sign of the Cross.He was the one being rude to Catholics. When my husband died, Fr. knew his family and friends were not Catholic and he was kind enough to explain the Mass as he went along. Many said how they appreciated that. God Bless, MemawA few weeks ago, my aunt passed away. Her memorial service was held in a Baptist church because she was a Baptist. During the service, the pastor made a few critical comments about Catholicism (ex: went on a rant about purgatory) which I found very inappropriate for a memorial service to begin with, but especially because her husband of 20 years is a Catholic? That’s another story though.
Anyway, when we would pray during the service I’d make the sign of the cross because I do that every time I pray. This pastor gave me an odd look, as I was sitting in the front row. I was wondering if this is considered inappropriate or disrespectful at a Protestant service?
I believe that Catholics are supposed to say their own Orthodox prayer or sit or stand respectively while the protestants say their prayer. So crossing yourself for the protestant prayer really does not make sense. But if you do say your own prayer, you would probably begin and end with crossing yourself, so the action would still be done. Maybe wait to begin your prayer a few seconds after the protestants begin, since maybe they will close their eyes or look down for their prayer.A few weeks ago, my aunt passed away. Her memorial service was held in a Baptist church because she was a Baptist. During the service, the pastor made a few critical comments about Catholicism (ex: went on a rant about purgatory) which I found very inappropriate for a memorial service to begin with, but especially because her husband of 20 years is a Catholic? That’s another story though.
Anyway, when we would pray during the service I’d make the sign of the cross because I do that every time I pray. This pastor gave me an odd look, as I was sitting in the front row. I was wondering if this is considered inappropriate or disrespectful at a Protestant service?
Did her husband (your uncle) have anything to say afterwards? Is your uncle a practicing Catholic?
But we’re talking about Catholic in the sense of ICWR (in communion with Rome, sometimes called Roman Catholics) not the Orthodox.
I seem to be the one having the most trouble of all trying to understand the issues you are having.A few weeks ago, my aunt passed away. Her memorial service was held in a Baptist church because she was a Baptist. During the service, the pastor made a few critical comments about Catholicism (ex: went on a rant about purgatory) which I found very inappropriate for a memorial service to begin with, but especially because her husband of 20 years is a Catholic? That’s another story though.
Anyway, when we would pray during the service I’d make the sign of the cross because I do that every time I pray. This pastor gave me an odd look, as I was sitting in the front row. I was wondering if this is considered inappropriate or disrespectful at a Protestant service?
It’s more that it’s out of place than it is “offensive” - although if you’re in a church where a large number of people are converts from Catholicism, then the reception might be a little bit more uncomfortable. Doing the sign of the cross is something that took me a while to get used to (I guess it’s residual). However I will say that when I attended my old Evangelical church, I did notice one woman who would cross herself after receiving Holy Communion which I always noted was out of the ordinary. Was that you maybe?A few weeks ago, my aunt passed away. Her memorial service was held in a Baptist church because she was a Baptist. During the service, the pastor made a few critical comments about Catholicism (ex: went on a rant about purgatory) which I found very inappropriate for a memorial service to begin with, but especially because her husband of 20 years is a Catholic? That’s another story though.
Anyway, when we would pray during the service I’d make the sign of the cross because I do that every time I pray. This pastor gave me an odd look, as I was sitting in the front row. I was wondering if this is considered inappropriate or disrespectful at a Protestant service?
Etiquette? You are Catholic so you practice your Catholic Faith. We should all make the Sign of the Cross in public. If this guy has a problem with that all the better. Maybe he will approach you and question you. This will be an opportunity to share the One True FaithA few weeks ago, my aunt passed away. Her memorial service was held in a Baptist church because she was a Baptist. During the service, the pastor made a few critical comments about Catholicism (ex: went on a rant about purgatory) which I found very inappropriate for a memorial service to begin with, but especially because her husband of 20 years is a Catholic? That’s another story though.
Anyway, when we would pray during the service I’d make the sign of the cross because I do that every time I pray. This pastor gave me an odd look, as I was sitting in the front row. I was wondering if this is considered inappropriate or disrespectful at a Protestant service?
I agree, either we’re Catholic or we’re not. I don’t try to “offend” anyone but I certainly don’t hide my faith under a bushel basket. The saddest funeral I have ever attended was my X-sister -n-law who left the Catholic Faith and when she died the minister admitted he never met her and not a single prayer was said for her soul. That’s been 30 years ago and I still pray for her. When I am at a non-Catholic friends house for Dinner, I always make the Sign of the Cross and say my grace softly and they always wait till I am done before eating. Also when in a restaurant . God Bless, Memaw
A little devil’s advocate here, if you will.
When I’m at a family dinner with my cousins (who are all serious Baptists), they almost always ask me to bless the food. They know that I’m Catholic, and I always begin and end with the sign of the cross.
Now you’ve got me curious how many CAF posters agree with you.
Good question, IDK. But I can tell you one thing, that I’ve given the idea of any neutral “level playing field” venue for having discussions with Protestants. Hopefully this won’t sound presumptuous, but the reason I don’t go looking for a Protestant forum to participate on, in place of coming here, is that I feel certain it would have pretty much the same problems (in reverse).
That’s fair, I just got a chuckle that for how much I’ve read that non-Catholics are all welcome at Mass, just be curious and respectful for traditions and the Eucharist that there would be a post about Do as I say in my house and I’ll do as I say in your.
As for non-Catholics coming to a Catholic Mass, they are welcome to sit thru the Mass if they want. They do not need to follow all the gestures that Catholics do as they do not understand the meanings for them. Many visitors understand that. And the priest would NEVER say anything to embarrass them. We are happy they are visiting, or there for a funeral, wedding etc. As for receiving Holy Communion, that is an entirely different story! Our belief in the Host being Consecrated into the TRUE Body and Blood of Jesus Christ during Mass is precious to us and according to the Sacred Scriptures and Catholic teaching we must be in the State of Grace and understand the seriousness of doing so. Sacred Scripture warns us of receiving the Body and Blood of Our Lord unworthily. I Cor 11:23-29. The Catholic Church doesn’t want anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic to receive Our Lord unworthily. Read up on some of the Eucharistic Miracles, especially the Miracle of Lanciano. And if you can afford it, go see it for yourself!!!. God Bless, Memaw
All understood, I think you’re missing my point a little (or even making it?). Non-Catholics are welcome to mass just be courteous and respectful there was a post where the person basically said Do what I say in our church and I’ll do what I say in yours.