Sign of the Cross by a Lutheran minister at a funeral

[Stilldreamn]

Today, my boss hosted (at her expense) a nice “thank-you” luncheon for the electricians that did some work at our facility. Work lunches are usually times for silent prayer but one of the electricians asked if he could give a blessing. Everyone agreed, and it was a heartfelt, extemporaneous and definitely Christian prayer. I went all in and crossed myself as he concluded with “in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit, Amen”

I looked up to see the people facing me staring at me as if I had suddenly grown a third eye. I smiled pleasantly and we starting chatting and had a great lunch. But I’d bet my next check they were thinking (…didn’t know she was Catholic…) This is the South, after all.

To paraphrase the Anglicans, when it comes to Lutherans crossing themselves, “some do, some don’t, none must.”

 

[KjetilK]

I think you may be right. I’ve always crossed myself from left to right because it’s the way the Western Church historically, generally, has done it. I do know some Lutherans who intentionally cross right to left because it’s the “old” pre-Schism way of doing it and is therefore “less Roman.” Not that it makes any difference; the intention and meaning is the same.

I find it odd to do it the other way, unless you actually do it the way Orthodox do it (and include the footstool of Christ).

Do priests in Norway move in the opposite direction when giving the sign of the cross to others, so that it is “traced?”

No. When I give it, I also give it left to right, from my perspective.

To the OP, the sign of the cross is not odd among Lutherans. In fact, the Lutheran catechisms instruct Lutherans to make the sign of the cross.

Yes, it’s right there in the Small Catechism.

 

[gcnuss]

Lutherans went through a regrettable ‘anti-Catholic’ stage in the last century - and crossing yourself was considered (by some) as being Catholic. Thankfully, we’re getting better.

Agreed. But, there remains an anti-Catholic strain among some Lutherans. My own experience is that I have been accused (by a couple of individuals) of trying to turn the congregation I formerly served into a Catholic church because I made the sign of the cross and taught that Holy Communion should be celebrated weekly. I hasten to add that this was the opinion of a small minority.

 

[steido01]

I find it odd to do it the other way, unless you actually do it the way Orthodox do it (and include the footstool of Christ).

I agree. I’ve had to try very hard not to laugh the few times someone explained to me that I was crossing myself “the Catholic way.”

No. When I give it, I also give it left to right, from my perspective.

Interesting. Thank you! I wish I knew what the common practice was in general Lutheranism.

 

[wmscott]

In general I disagree. I think Catholics should avoid accepting a blessing from a Protestant minister with the sign of the cross. It would seem to me to represent recognition as valid something that is not (his ministerial priesthood). However I do also think there might be certain circumstances when this would be permissible.

May God Bless you

I just want to share what the Catholic Church teaches about or Protestant brothers and Sisters, from the CCC

818 “However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers . . . . All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church.”

819 “Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth” are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements. “Christ’s Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him, and are in themselves calls to “Catholic unity.”

With that said if any Christian who has been incorporated into Christ sends a blessing my way, I will accept it gladly and make the sign of the Cross as a Catholic and be proud about it. We should never be afraid of the sign of the cross no matter the circumstances.

 

[gcnuss]

With that said if any Christian who has been incorporated into Christ sends a blessing my way, I will accept it gladly and make the sign of the Cross as a Catholic and be proud about it. We should never be afraid of the sign of the cross no matter the circumstances.

And that goes both ways!

 

[EvangelCatholic]

I once inquired on a thread if regional differences play a role in such things as sacramentals. I’ve attended Mass at synodical assemblies with clergy and lay leaders where liturgical actions such as the sign of the cross, genuflexion, etc. are quite common. Parish schools, synod colleges and of-course, seminaries promote the use of the holy cross.

As Lutherans we start our journey with Christ at baptism and are sealed with the sign of the cross upon forehead and heart and receive the blessing of the holy cross several times during the liturgy each Sunday.

 

[JonNC]

Agreed. But, there remains an anti-Catholic strain among some Lutherans. My own experience is that I have been accused (by a couple of individuals) of trying to turn the congregation I formerly served into a Catholic church because I made the sign of the cross and taught that Holy Communion should be celebrated weekly. I hasten to add that this was the opinion of a small minority.

My father, ordained ULCA/LCA went through a similar experience half a century ago for wanting to celebrate communion more often than on the first Sunday of the month (or on Easter Sunday if it wasn’t the first Sunday).

Jon

 

[EvangelCatholic]

When I read the comments of some Lutheran posters, I am humbled by their journey toward the Catholic faith. I was taught to make the sign of the holy cross in Sunday School some 60 years ago! Weekly Mass in the parish and school meant I communed twice a week and in college/ seminary the Sacrament was offered daily. This is a side of the Missouri Synod some have never experienced.

Here’s a parish where I worshiped at on occasion in the Midwest.

 

[cmodrmac]

I am stunned by this question-God gave you free will and an intellect use it-

if you do not believe that Lutheran Clergy or Episcopal Clergy do not have vaild holy orders so what-make your sign of the Cross and say a prayer for the departed -

I just do not believe that the good Lord cares at all whether you cross yourself right to left or left to right or up down and sideways