Sign of the Cross drive by?

[Justin_Mary]

When I was a kid my mom would make the sign of the cross every time we drove past a Catholic Church. My wife now, does the same thing.

Neither does it when they pass an Orthodox Church.

Should they? Do you?

 

[StephieNorthCo]

I tend to make the sign of the cross when I pass a Catholic Church. A sign that Jesus is present in the tabernacle. Never thought about it for Orthodox churches. Since they have Apostolic Succession, I suppose it would be appropriate.

 

[Torolf]

From my understanding the Orthodox don’t have the custom of always having the Blessed Sacrament reserved in tabernacles. I always make the Sign of the Cross when passing Orthodox churches though. Jesus might not be physically present at that given moment but I think it’s still a good practice. I also do this when passing the local Old Catholic church since they have valid though illicit sacraments. It’s always good to show reverence to Jesus.

 

[dochawk]

Should they? Do you?

The reverence is for the Eucharist, not the building.

So, yes, if it’s the actual referent practice, it should be for His presence, which is there at all of the apostolic churches (and not at, for example, an Episcopal church).

And I had one of my then twelve year old daughters astutely ask if that means not to on Holy Saturday . . .

From my understanding the Orthodox don’t have the custom of always having the Blessed Sacrament reserved in tabernacles.

I would assume that that is why the EC do, if for no other reason than I would expect that I’d have heard of it being a condition of union it were not . . .

 

[Michael16]

I’ve never done the Sign of the Cross driving by a Catholic church. Maybe I should start doing that. But, I do make the Sign of the Cross when I drive by police, firefighters and ambulances to bless our first responders. They have a tough, dangerous and honorable role in our society.

 

[Michael16]

I’ve always had respect for the Orthodox Church and I know they have Apostolic Succession. So, maybe I’ll make the Sign of the Cross for their churches too.

 

[MamaJewel]

When I read the title of your post I thought, “Oh, Lord Jesus, what are they doing now?” because of the “drive by” following “Sign of the Cross”. I’m thinking that there’s some kind of new drive by gang warfare connected with a religious theme. Whew.

 

[po18guy]

It is a valid, if illicit Sacrament. Even though the two are in schism, when I lived in a different city, I went into an Orthodox Cathedral and adored in prayer.

 

[Michael16]

Really?! They’d let a Catholic in one of their churches! That’s cool. I’ve always wanted to visit an Orthodox church.

 

[Michael16]

I think their spirituality is pretty cool. Too bad they’re still at war with us.

 

[po18guy]

Orthodox - but the priest was a former Methodist from California!

 

[CelticWarlord]

Do you?

I love making the sign of the cross. Anytime, any place. God is everywhere.

I told a Catholic niece that I will sign the cross during blessings before meals, but always do so mid-stream since it doesn’t go over that well in my house. She happened to be present at a barbecue at my inlaws place last weekend when my wife was asked to pray before we ate. The niece, who is 20 years old, watched me out the corner of one eye to see if I made the cross, which I did, and she told me after that she was watching to see if I would. I mildly scolded her that she shouldn’t have been looking at me but then we laughed about it anyway.

 

[Welshrabbit]

Sign of the Cross Drive-By is going to be the name of my Catholic Rap-Metal fusion band.

It’s going to be extremely cringey!

 

[blackforest]

Should they? Do you?

I’m not sure what you mean by “should” because it’s not a requirement for our faith.

But yes, I do. I also do it while passing cemeteries and roadside memorials. It’s a habit that I acquired while living in Mexico, where the practice is quite commonplace. I remember being in the car there with a friend who was a designated driver. Even the drunken, cursing people being driven home were pausing to make the sign of the cross.

 

[TK421]

It is a pious practice.

Orthodox churches have the Real Presence in their churches so it could be appropriate to do if you want to.

 

[maryjk]

We have one Catholic church in our city. And there isn’t an Orthodox church to be found.

So, no, I don’t do it at Orthodox churches. I rarely, if ever, see one.

 

[MrZoom]

In recent years I’ve come to realize that with “modern” Catholic architecture, you may pass by a Catholic Church and not know it (in order to make the sign of the cross).

There are three Catholic churches here in Morgantown – including my own – that don’t “look” particularly Catholic from the architecture. Though my parish does have a statue of Mary out front (we are St. Mary’s), and we also have a big stylized “A M” on the sign of the building which stands for Auspice Maria – Under The Protection of Mary.

 

[ReaderT]

I think their spirituality is pretty cool. Too bad they’re still at war with us.

War?

Orthodox - but the priest was a former Methodist from California!

That is normal. Half our clergy are converts. 3 out of the 4 priests I’ve had were converts. Actually, every single person in our parish is a convert, except for an elderly Russian couple.

From my understanding the Orthodox don’t have the custom of always having the Blessed Sacrament reserved in tabernacles.

I thought we did, but I’m not 100% on that.

 

[Thom18]

I tend to only do so when passing Protestant or Orthodox churches. I never knew this was common practice for others- I just sign and pray for their conversion.

 

[dbranch]

Gang member convert: “I used to shoot up rival gangs in drive by’s, now I just make the sign of the cross to my homie JC”