The Eastern Rite sign of the cross

[Stephentlig]

I am a Roman Catholic, but I bless myself the Eastern rite way as I like doing it this way, from Right to left with my right hand, three fingers to represent the Holy Trinity and my two fingers to represent the two natures of Christ both God and man.

Is it ok for me to do this at church? during the celebration of the Sacraments I do it the roman rite way as I’m sure that somewhere in the canon it asks that we follow the local Bishops directives for making the sign of the cross at mass. but when the celebration of the Sacrament is over I return to my eastern rite kind of way of signing the cross.

Pax Christi
Stephen <3

 

[Cominghome89]

I don’t know if there is any requirement to do it the “Roman Way” during mass, but what would possibly be wrong with following an Eastern Catholic tradition? They are just as Catholic as we are. Personally, I make the cross left to right, but I have always done the 3 fingers. The symbolism is beautiful.

The way of making the sign of the cross is a lower case “t” tradition. What is important is what it means to make it.

In Christ,
Frank

 

[Stephentlig]

Thank you, that was encouraging and helpful to say the least.

You are in my prayers

Pax Christi
Stephen <3

 

[ciero]

Thank you, that was encouraging and helpful to say the least.

You are in my prayers

Pax Christi
Stephen <3

The Eastern way of making the sign of the cross was still the norm in the West as late as the 1500’s. There was even a directive from the pope at that time as to it being the correct way of making the sign of the cross. Nobody knows why it changed to left to right with the open hand. Some speculate that it was the people in the church following the hand of the priest when he blessed them from the alter.