SOTC after receiving host

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BrownR

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Yes? No? Regional? I see so many people making the sign of the cross after they receive the body and blood, yet our RCIA teachers seemed to insinuate that this was an old tradition that was not to be followed anymore. Is this a modern Catholic faux pas, or merely a confused tradition?
 
Follow-up: When to Bow Before Communion
zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=78909

"while there is no real need to make a sign of the cross after receiving holy Communion, many people do so for several reasons. For some, making a sign of the cross is a spiritual reflex action for any moment of prayer. For others, it represents an act of faith in the mystery they have received.

Whatever the cause, I personally see no reason to bother people about such a simple gesture, even if it does not form part of the liturgy at this moment. "
 
I do. It is less prevalent here than it was in my parish in Philadelphia.
 
I do, and my teenagers do too. I only see a handful of people doing it in my parish though.

I make the sign of the cross whenever it moves me I guess. I do it before and after prayer, I do it when I kneel at the tabernacle, and I do it when I receive the Lord in the Eucharist and in the Precious Blood. It makes me feel like I am saying, thank you Lord, I love you and I feel your presence in me. I pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. I receive Him in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. And that’s what I’m thinking and feeling when I make the sign of the cross after receiving or praying.
 
I have taught in RCIA classes for many years, and in my experience, RCIA instructors are generally not authoritative sources on liturgy or tradition. Some parishes have great programs, especially when a priest is involved, and others spend more time asking “how do you feel” than teaching the faith. Anytime a phrase like “old theology” or “pre-Vatican” comes up in a class, the topic is usually straying into the realm of opinion.
 
I always make the sign of the cross after I receive - I would kind of feel awkward not doing it.
 
I was never taught to make the sign of the cross after Communion so I don’t. However, I’d say our parish is split on the numbers of people who do and don’t.
 
I make the Sign of the Cross when receiving my Lord in the Eucharist and bow my head when I pass by His Precious Blood in the cup (if I am not receiving).

For me, like others have said, I am saying “Yes Lord, I believe that You are truly present”.

As an EMHC, I shake my head in wonder why those who do not receive from the cup fail to at least bow their head when passing our Lord’s Precious Blood.
 
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