Signing the Cross in front of a Church?

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sweetirishct

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This is something I picked up from my father, and I think it is because of the Eucharist in the tabernacle… Does anyone know for sure?
 
My wife is from the Philippines, and whether custom or not, makes the Sign every time we drive by a Catholic church. Always…

Unless she’s talking 😉
 
Growing up in Catholic New Orleans and coming home from school, there was a whole bunch of us who did this, adults and kids - in public transportation! It is indeed to acknowledge the presence of Our Lord in the tabernacle! You made my day!
 
This is something I picked up from my father, and I think it is because of the Eucharist in the tabernacle… Does anyone know for sure?
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Yes you are right. It is self discipline to remind ourselves WHY the Blessed Sacrament is in the tabernacle. His ignomous death and glorious resurrection and a mark of respect that He is God.

I do it if on my own but if in the company of others, cross myself on the forehead.
 
Sixtus said:
I do it if on my own but if in the company of others, cross myself on the forehead.
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I’m the same way, in front of non-Catholics I’ll simply cross my thumb over my index finger making a cross and put it to my lips.
 
There are great stories of working men in decades gone by who would be headed home on the streetcar, shooting the breeze and cussing left and right. Then the streetcar would pass the Church. They’d all nod, remove their hats momentarily, or make the sign of the cross. Then they would return to cussing left and right again!
 
chicago said:
There are great stories of working men in decades gone by who would be headed home on the streetcar, shooting the breeze and cussing left and right. Then the streetcar would pass the Church. They’d all nod, remove their hats momentarily, or make the sign of the cross. Then they would return to cussing left and right again!
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That is too funny!!!:rotfl:

Thanks to all for responses… One of the things I really don’t like is the fact that I am doing alot of what I do only because of tradition, without knowing the meaning behind the actions and/or traditions. I am hoping that as I begin to understand more about the CC, I will again be comfortable with worshiping Catholic. I try to remind myself, millions of Catholics can’t be wrong!!! 👍
 
Yup, a lot of Catholics do this in the Philippines. It is in lieu of going inside the church.
 
We do this! Even if we’re busy praying the Rosary in the car, we will just keep praying while making the Sign of the Cross 🙂 To me, it’s like a little “Hello Jesus, I love You!”
 
chicago said:
There are great stories of working men in decades gone by who would be headed home on the streetcar, shooting the breeze and cussing left and right. Then the streetcar would pass the Church. They’d all nod, remove their hats momentarily, or make the sign of the cross. Then they would return to cussing left and right again!
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This is what is called “The Religious Sense”

Don’t forget to cross yourself when you pass a cemetery or a funeral procession.
 
Indeed, this is a practice that we have an obligation to pass on to our children and grandchildren. We need to renew within our communities a deep sense of understanding of the True Presence, and this is yet another way to do so. Nice post!👍

May the Peace and Love of the Lord be with you,

Kelly
 
BeeSweet said:
To pray for the souls of the dead to be released from Purgatory into Heaven.

Eternal rest grant to them O Lord, let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

holysouls.info/
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You know, I am not really sure how I feel about the idea of Limbo, or Purgatory… I have not heard of any references to it from the Bible, only that it is a supposition that was developed to explain where souls go if not baptised… Even the Church is trying to decide what to do with it…
I don’t cross myself when I pass a cemetary or funeral procession, since when I do it as I pass a church it is in respect for the Sacrament. When I do pass a funeral procession, I pause to pray and reflect for the person who died, and the loved ones they left behind.
 
cocot said:
This is what is called “The Religious Sense”

Don’t forget to cross yourself when you pass a cemetery or a funeral procession.
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And on that note, don’t forget to pull over for the funeral procession. Or is this just a custom we have here in the South? Anyways, I just think it is the respectful thing to do.
 
sweetirishct said:
You know, I am not really sure how I feel about the idea of Limbo, or Purgatory… I have not heard of any references to it from the Bible, only that it is a supposition that was developed to explain where souls go if not baptised… Even the Church is trying to decide what to do with it…
I don’t cross myself when I pass a cemetary or funeral procession, since when I do it as I pass a church it is in respect for the Sacrament. When I do pass a funeral procession, I pause to pray and reflect for the person who died, and the loved ones they left behind.
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Limbo and Purgatory are not the same thing. Limbo has recently been brought into question, but it was never really official doctrine. Limbo is what you’re thinking of as a “a supposition that was developed to explain where souls go if not baptised”. Purgatory is a long standing teaching of the church, and has Biblical backing such as: Mt 5:48, Heb 12:14, Jam 3:2, 2 Sm 12:13-14, 1 Jn 5:16-17, Mt 12:36, 2 Macc 12:44-46. There are still more Bible passages than these to support the church teachings on Purgatory. Purgatory is for all Baptised sinners. There are two really great booklets by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P. that you may be interested in reading on the subject. They are Read Me or Rue It, and How to Avoid Purgatory.

We kinda have to do our own research on Purgatory to understand it, as I don’t feel like the doctrine is very well known or very well taught. It is very real though! I’d like to encourage you to read up on it if you have the time at all to do so. I think it’s real important for us to know and understand. God bless!
 
I’m sorry to go on and on about it, but I just wanted to pass on a little something more. All Souls Day is the feast day celebrating the Holy Souls in Purgatory. This is a really good site that explains it really well: Feast of All Souls

I hope that is somewhat helpful. Sorry to hijack your thread…
 
xsuasox said:
And on that note, don’t forget to pull over for the funeral procession. Or is this just a custom we have here in the South? Anyways, I just think it is the respectful thing to do.
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We do it here, too.
 
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