Sign of the cross when passing a church

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Imprimartin

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It is tradition in my family to do the sign of the cross whenever passing a church. (i.e. driving by).

I’m not sure how widespread this tradition is. I assumed that I was blessing myself whenever passing the blessed sacrament (saying ‘Hi’?), which I believe is a nice thing to do. Incidentally, my wife is a convert from evangelicalism and the reason mentioned above seems insufficient to her. (although she does it anyway)

Anyway, my question is:
If the above reason is true, then should we be making the sign of the cross as we pass Eastern Orthodox churches since we believe they have valid sacraments?

Martin
 
Imprimartin said:
It is tradition in my family to do the sign of the cross whenever passing a church. (i.e. driving by).
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Yep - I do this. My dad does as well, and some friends I know. DH says “Hello, Jesus” sometimes.

~Lizia
 
the first and only time i’ve seen this was when i was visiting distant relatives in ireland. nice custom, though.
 
I had never heard of doing this before I was a Catholic, but felt that it would be the proper thing to do after I was received into the Church, so I started to do it. I guess my inspiration was a valid one. 🙂

I also cross myself whenever I hear/see a police car or ambulance go by with its siren on, and pray for a favorable outcome to whatever emergency they are being called to.
 
Della said:
I also cross myself whenever I hear/see a police car or ambulance go by with its siren on, and pray for a favorable outcome to whatever emergency they are being called to.
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Me too - I do this as well. And I also try to remember to at least say a prayer when passing a cemetary.

~Liza
 
All the Catholics I know (myself included) cross themselves when passing a Catholic church. Its just the done thing. I heard once it was to pardon oneself from going in and Receiving or taking part in Adoration. I also cross myself when an ambulance or fire engine passes, I haven’t seen many other people do that.
 
Nice to know - I thought it was only a southern thing but many posters are from all over the place.

My wife says its to recognize the presence of our Lord in the tabernacle. I wasn’t raised to do it and usually don’t but then again I’m usually driving the car.
 
I am Irish and this is a very common thing at home! Never really thought about it - habit i suppose!
 
When I converted and learned of this from a good friend and I remember thinking how lovely it was and began to doing the same. It’s become a habit now and I’m glad 🙂
 
Della said:
I also cross myself whenever I hear/see a police car or ambulance go by with its siren on, and pray for a favorable outcome to whatever emergency they are being called to.
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I do this to.

I don’t always cross myself in front of a chuch, but sometimes I wave and say “hi” to Jesus. I know, I’m kinda goofy.
 
mommyof4 said:
I do this to.

I don’t always cross myself in front of a chuch, but sometimes I wave and say “hi” to Jesus. I know, I’m kinda goofy.
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Ok, that is way too goofy. I’m afraid we can’t be friends anymore 😛 hehehe
 
I am a convert of twelve years and I make the sign of the cross when passing a Catholic Church. I usually say “Jesus I love you!” while passing. I do the same when I hear an Ambulance, or Fire Truck only I say something I heard from Mother Angelica: “Jesus, Mary & Joseph, I Love You! Please save souls!”:signofcross: :gopray2:
 
Lucania said:
I am a convert of twelve years and I make the sign of the cross when passing a Catholic Church. I usually say “Jesus I love you!” while passing. I do the same when I hear an Ambulance, or Fire Truck only I say something I heard from Mother Angelica: “Jesus, Mary & Joseph, I Love You! Please save souls!”:signofcross: :gopray2:
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Nice Lucania 🙂 I like that.
 
You are supposed to do this out of reverence to Christ in the Tabernacle.😉
 
Yes. I do it…I try to at least. Sometimes I chicken out if I’m in the car with my friends. I wish I had the courage to do the SOTC in those situations. It’s a fairly new practice of mine, so I’m getting comfortable with it.
 
I cross myself whenever going by a Catholic or Orthodox Church.
 
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