Sign of the Cross

[RomanCrusader]

I make the sign of the cross a lot like all Catholics do. But something just recently occured to me. I feel really rotten/sinful saying this…but in a way it could be interpreted that the sign of the cross is an upside-down cross. Some could interpret this as a “satanic seal” almost. You go to your forehead, down to your upper chest, then slightly upwards to both shoulders. What if some anti-Catholic Protestant mentions this? How would a wise Catholic respond? Thanks in advance.

(BTW I realize the Sign of the Cross is a very holy thing and I am in no way denouncing it or debating it. I do it a ton. But I would be unable to answer a Protestant who called it a satanic seal on ourselves.)

 

[Wolseley]

If you were making the sign of an upside-down cross, you would start at your chest and move up to your forehead.

Besides, an upside-down cross is not a satanic symbol—an upside-down crucifix is.

An upside-down cross is a symbol of St. Peter, and by extension, the Papacy.

 

[RomanCrusader]

If you were making the sign of an upside-down cross, you would start at your chest and move up to your forehead.

Besides, an upside-down cross is not a satanic symbol—an upside-down crucifix is.

An upside-down cross is a symbol of St. Peter, and by extension, the Papacy.

Wouldn’t the end result of the cross be the same wherever you started though? And can’t the upside-dpwm cross be satanic sometimes?

Again, I feel really filthy being devils advocate here. I’m just trying to solve this matter.

 

[jemfinch]

It’s worth noting as well that Eastern Catholics touch their belly buttons, not the middle of their chests.

Jeremy

 

[THutch04]

Actually I don’t touch my upper chest. I touch just below whatever that next part is (the sternum, I believe???)

I guess an upside down cross COULD be taken as Satanic, if someone didn’t know any better. But it’s really not, and I can’t say I’ve ever paid much attention to how someone makes the sign of the cross; maybe because I’ve always done it. Sorry I can’t be of more help.

 

[gracelife]

What if some anti-Catholic Protestant mentions this? How would a wise Catholic respond?

anti-Catholics will believe what they want. Still, you could take it as an opportunity to explain why Christians cross themselves. Catholics aren’t the only ones!

 

[Loren_1of6]

A priest was talking to some of my boys and mentioned that the sign of the cross should extend down to the waist (or belly button). This is to make a true cross shape and not the more sailboat shape I had always made by hitting somewhere on my chest.

But then I heard that we should touch our chests so that when we make the sign we touch our minds, our hearts, and our shoulders (arms) as a reminder that Christ should always be on our minds, in our hearts, and in our actions.

I’ve also noticed on here several people explain which fingertips to use and why.

In practice, sometimes I use the “full cross method” and sometimes, especially if I’m trying to be inconspicuous, I do a quick short cross to my heart region.