sign of the cross question

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kristie_m

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I’ve noticed that sometimes after crossing themselves, some people kiss their thumb. What is this about? Is it just a cultural thing? What does it represent?
 
kristie_m said:
I’ve noticed that sometimes after crossing themselves, some people kiss their thumb. What is this about? Is it just a cultural thing? What does it represent?
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It is a cultural thing - and has several variations.
 
kristie_m said:
I’ve noticed that sometimes after crossing themselves, some people kiss their thumb. What is this about? Is it just a cultural thing? What does it represent?
Click to expand...
Yes, it is cultural. Often Hispanics around here will cross their thumb and index finger while they are making the sign of the cross and then afterwards will kiss the cross made by their fingers.
 
I think it comes from the practice of when we begin the Rosary. Using the crucifix, we make the sign of the cross with it, and then kiss it. People are going through the motion, minus the crucifix.

Jim
 
JimR-OCDS said:
I think it comes from the practice of when we begin the Rosary. Using the crucifix, we make the sign of the cross with it, and then kiss it. People are going through the motion, minus the crucifix.

Jim
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Really? I just recently started praying the Rosary. I didn’t know we were supposed to make the sign of the cross with the crucifix. I thought you just did it the regular way. Hmm…learn something new each day.
 
KarenElissa said:
Yes, it is cultural. Often Hispanics around here will cross their thumb and index finger while they are making the sign of the cross and then afterwards will kiss the cross made by their fingers.
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Interesting. I’ve seen most folks just use their middle finger to cross themselves, then the they kiss their thumb. It seems really random if you don’t understand it, I guess. Your explanation makes much more sense to me.

Thanks.
 
kristie_m said:
Really? I just recently started praying the Rosary. I didn’t know we were supposed to make the sign of the cross with the crucifix. I thought you just did it the regular way. Hmm…learn something new each day.
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Ya, they really out to include that in the directions for praying the rosary. I didn’t discover that until I first prayed the rosary with a group. :rolleyes: 😃
 
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