Sign of the Cross

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I am a recent re-vert and was wondering why we say amen when using the sign of the cross during prayer. I understand at the end of the prayer but why at the beginning of the prayer?
 
You are confirming your belief- that the Father, son, and Holy spirit are one.
Then you say Amen. Which means yes Lord I think…
 
There are various translations in English of the word “Amen”: Common English translations of the word amen include: “Verily”, “Truly”, “So say we all”, “So be it”, and “Let it be.” In addition, “I believe”.

The problem is that if we were ever taught what it meant, too many of us have forgotten, or at least, do not have it close to mind when we say it; it becomes more like a bookend, placed there to make sure the words don’t fall off the table.
 
izoid said:
I am a recent re-vert and was wondering why we say amen when using the sign of the cross during prayer. I understand at the end of the prayer but why at the beginning of the prayer?
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We got the “Amen” from Jews
 
This may be out of line, but the sign of the cross is like the beginning. We are acknowledging our bapitismal vows as we enter God’s house, but afterwords we do the sign of the cross acknowledging we believe and accept our bapitsmal vows. It is like a beginning and an end to something. Of course the mass goes more in detail than the sign of the cross. I suggest the book “This is the Mass” by Henri Daniel-Rops, celebrated by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Even though it is a pre-vatican II book on the mass it still applies to us and our mass today
 
Amen is normally said at the end of a prayer, but the Sign of the Cross is, in and of itself, a prayer; possibly the most perfect man made prayer.

I believe that the only perfect prayer is the one Jesus taught his disciples; the Our Father or Lord Prayer.

The Sign of the Cross however restates our belief in a triune God, reminds ourselves and others of the means of our Salvation, and reflects on the Greatest Commandment of the Lord. "Love the Lord your God with your whole mind (touch the fore head), your whole heart (touch the breast) and your whole strength (touch the shoulders). Thus it becomes almost a mini creed. It is entirely proper to close such a meaningful prayer with an Amen.

Patrick
 
phoage said:
Amen is normally said at the end of a prayer, but the Sign of the Cross is, in and of itself, a prayer; possibly the most perfect man made prayer.

I believe that the only perfect prayer is the one Jesus taught his disciples; the Our Father or Lord Prayer.

The Sign of the Cross however restates our belief in a triune God, reminds ourselves and others of the means of our Salvation, and reflects on the Greatest Commandment of the Lord. "Love the Lord your God with your whole mind (touch the fore head), your whole heart (touch the breast) and your whole strength (touch the shoulders). Thus it becomes almost a mini creed. It is entirely proper to close such a meaningful prayer with an Amen.

Patrick
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But our dear Lord said this is how we should pray “Our Father…”
the church’s understanding in this is that when we pray… the our father is a mold… so to speak… that all other prayers should follow… that doesn’t mean that the Lord’s prayer is the only perfect prayer… maybe some saintly soul may say with a fervent heart… God I love you… would that not be a perfect prayer…

—God Truly Bless You… sorry for getting off topic…:p—
 
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