Sign of the cross when passing a church

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I usually say “hi Jesus”, but it’s never occured to me to do the sign of the cross.

I’ll have to remember that next time. 🙂
 
We do this :signofcross: whenever we pass a Catholic or Orthodox Church.

There is a nice series of books for kids that suggests just this by Rosemarie Gortler & Donna Piscitelli. The book they have *Little Acts of Grace *has it and many other ways to show God our love.
 
jwedgie09 said:
You are supposed to do this out of reverence to Christ in the Tabernacle.😉
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Okay, I will be the odd ball here. I have NEVER done this. I am a cradle Catholic. I don’t remember my parents doing it either, but I will watch them next time we are together and pass a Catholic church. They are cradle Catholics. I have also taught CCD and have never taught it. In fact, I don’t think that I have ever heard of it or seen it, until I moved to the South.

I think it might be a nice tradition, but I don’t know that we are supposed to do it.
 
I do this, too - learned it in my family! Sounds like a lot of us do this. It always seemed a no-brainer to me. Passing by the Lord’s house and Him in it - respect and adore Him…and offer a prayer (:signofcross: is a prayer)

I’ll be more cognizant of doing it now, knowing so many also do it. Thanks for asking about this.
 
Well, I do it inconsistently. I only learnt about it in this forum (less than a year ago), I bow when I pass my Church adoration chapel (because I can see the monstance from outside, glass door), I make sign of the cross when I walk pass church building, and I say hail mary when I see a statue of Blessed Virgin Mary (am I the only one doing it here?).

I should try to get used to it.

To scapularkid8, don’t be afraid. Last week, I do my regular visit to hospital, since there weren’t many patients that I knew, I asked the nurse to help me to look for Catholic patients and she asked 3 patients, all replied that they were Catholics, but they were Protestants! (language problem, I think), when it was time to pray, I was reluctant, but I did sign of the cross before and after the prayer and I’m glad I did that.
Take your time to get used to it. 🙂
 
Im a convert and do it. I noticed several people do it before I converted and I liked the idea. Now, everytime we pass a Church, by 11yr old dd hollers from the back of the van–“Cross yourselves!!” She has to make sure everyone knows we are passing a Church.

J.M.J.
cat3gs
 
maryjk said:
Okay, I will be the odd ball here. I have NEVER done this. I am a cradle Catholic. I don’t remember my parents doing it either, but I will watch them next time we are together and pass a Catholic church. They are cradle Catholics. I have also taught CCD and have never taught it. In fact, I don’t think that I have ever heard of it or seen it, until I moved to the South.

I think it might be a nice tradition, but I don’t know that we are supposed to do it.
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When I converted, my dear Mother, may she rest in peace said that the Italian/Catholic side of her family (she was from Brooklyn) always made the sign of the cross when passing a Catholic Church. We are talking many years ago, so I can’t say where or when it originated. I did hear Mother Angelica mention this practice and she is also Italian & from Canton, Ohio, so I don’t know if it is an Italian thing, Northern thing or something that was popular years ago and faded in time:shrug: . At any rate, I think it is a nice practice that I taught my DD & will teach my Grandchildren when I am blessed enough to have them:whistle: !!
 
cat3gs said:
Now, everytime we pass a Church, by 11yr old dd hollers from the back of the van–“Cross yourselves!!” She has to make sure everyone knows we are passing a Church.

J.M.J.
cat3gs
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Love it! It’s just another way to think about Jesus:newidea: and that is a good thing, especially for children!
 
I’ve never done it, but after reading all your comments I’m going to start doing it. 🙂
 
maryjk said:
Okay, I will be the odd ball here. I have NEVER done this. I am a cradle Catholic. I don’t remember my parents doing it either, but I will watch them next time we are together and pass a Catholic church. They are cradle Catholics. I have also taught CCD and have never taught it. In fact, I don’t think that I have ever heard of it or seen it, until I moved to the South.

I think it might be a nice tradition, but I don’t know that we are supposed to do it.
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Why wouldn’t you want to do it if it is in reverence to the Lord who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament?
🤷
 
Imprimartin said:
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
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I do this as well…I find it reverent…offering a holy gesture. I thought I was alone in this.:o
 
jwedgie09 said:
Why wouldn’t you want to do it if it is in reverence to the Lord who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament?
🤷
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Its not that I wouldn’t want to.

Its just that I have never done it or heard of it until about 6 months ago. 🤷
 
jwedgie09 said:
Why wouldn’t you want to do it if it is in reverence to the Lord who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament?
🤷
Click to expand...
Its not that I wouldn’t want to. :rolleyes:

Its just that I have never done it or heard of it until about 6 months ago. 🤷
 
maryjk said:
Its not that I wouldn’t want to. :rolleyes:

Its just that I have never done it or heard of it until about 6 months ago. 🤷
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Don’t feel bady - I hadn’t heard of this until I saw it on the forums within the last year, either. And yes, I’m a life-long Catholic.
 
I cross myself in passing as well. I’ve actually seen others at my parish do it too when pulling into church.
 
When I was a teenager, I saw my friend cross herself as we passed a Catholic Church. I’ve done it ever since to show respect for my sweet Jesus in the Tabernacle.

Sometimes when I 'm sitting in front of the Catholic Church I attend, I will see drivers pass and they are crossing themselves… I love it!😛
 
Imprimartin said:
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
Click to expand...
I do this as well.

I catch the train to and from university, and for some reason all the Catholic Churches are located along the railway. I end up crossing myself five times each way.

I get some funny looks, and my mates think I’m a bit of a tool; but I wouldn’t be much of a Christian if I didn’t express my faith in public.
 
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