The sign of the cross

[cleonice]

I’ve been Catholic for 3 years and when I pray, I don’t always make the sign of the cross before or after a prayer. I always do when praying the rosary or a chaplet, but throughout the day as I speak to God, I don’t. I am wondering if I should always make the sign of the cross before any and all prayers and if it is wrong if I choose not to. Any thoughts??

 

[laudamus_te]

I’ve been Catholic for 3 years and when I pray, I don’t always make the sign of the cross before or after a prayer. I always do when praying the rosary or a chaplet, but throughout the day as I speak to God, I don’t. I am wondering if I should always make the sign of the cross before any and all prayers and if it is wrong if I choose not to. Any thoughts??

I won’t venture to say whether it is right or wrong, but I would ask why you don’t always make the Sign of the Cross. If it is because you are in a public place and are concerned what people might think of you, then you are putting your need for human respect above your respect for God.

Early in our Church history, the Sign of the Cross was made almost constantly, it is an ancient and venerable custom, and one which has lost its meaning for many Catholics. Have you read this thread?:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=226529
I have posted there some exerpts from The Sign of the Cross by Monsignor J.J. Gaume. It is an excellent publication which has given me a greater appreciation for this custom, and a desire to make it with care and the dignity it deserves.

 

[cleonice]

I won’t venture to say whether it is right or wrong, but I would ask why you don’t always make the Sign of the Cross. If it is because you are in a public place and are concerned what people might think of you, then you are putting your need for human respect above your respect for God.

Early in our Church history, the Sign of the Cross was made almost constantly, it is an ancient and venerable custom, and one which has lost its meaning for many Catholics. Have you read this thread?:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=226529
I have posted there some exerpts from The Sign of the Cross by Monsignor J.J. Gaume. It is an excellent publication which has given me a greater appreciation for this custom, and a desire to make it with care and the dignity it deserves.

Well, you are right. Sometimes I don’t do it because I am surrounded by others. But I think it has to do with my social anxiety disorder which I guess is a form of pride…I am extremely shy around people and I usually try to avoid any type of social contact or communication if at all possible. This is something that I have stuggled with my whole life…I know that is no excuse, though. Thanks for your reply.

 

[laudamus_te]

Well, you are right. Sometimes I don’t do it because I am surrounded by others. But I think it has to do with my social anxiety disorder which I guess is a form of pride…I am extremely shy around people and I usually try to avoid any type of social contact or communication if at all possible. This is something that I have stuggled with my whole life…I know that is no excuse, though. Thanks for your reply.

You’re welcome, and I can relate to you completely. I, too, am extremely shy around people. I have been coming more and more to the realization that my shyness is caused by a self-consciousness which is very unhealthy, especially spiritually. It is self-centered, and I am fighting it all the time and praying for help with this fault. I am finally losing the hesitance to make the Sign of the Cross in public, through God’s grace.

 

[cam100]

Well, you are right. Sometimes I don’t do it because I am surrounded by others. But I think it has to do with my social anxiety disorder which I guess is a form of pride…I am extremely shy around people and I usually try to avoid any type of social contact or communication if at all possible. This is something that I have stuggled with my whole life…I know that is no excuse, though. Thanks for your reply.

It sounds like you are not really embarrassed of your faith, you’re just embarrassesed to do anything out of the ordinary because you dislike drawing attention to yourself. I wouldn’t beat yourself up about this, but it would be good to make the sacrifice and try to make the sign of the cross more often in public. Remember Christ’s words: Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.

 

[cleonice]

It sounds like you are not really embarrassed of your faith, you’re just embarrassesed to do anything out of the ordinary because you dislike drawing attention to yourself. I wouldn’t beat yourself up about this, but it would be good to make the sacrifice and try to make the sign of the cross more often in public. Remember Christ’s words: Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.

Thanks for the advice. I am going to try to make the sign of the cross more in public because I don’t want to give into fear instead of doing the will of God.

 

[CatholicCajun]

Our former parish priest used to always encourage us to pray and make the sign of the cross at meals at home and in resturants and he used to joke and say make it look like a Sign of the Cross and not like your swatting flies , at first I was uncomfortable with this, call it shyness or pride, probably a little of both, at first I would look to see if anyone was watching-that was out of pride, now I just do it with my eyes downcast and don’t want to know who does and does not see. God Bless you in your struggles.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

It is not necessary to make the Sign of the Cross before each prayer you say. It is an additional prayer which predisposes you to more prayer. But it is not wrong if not made before each prayer during the day.
Deacon Ed B

 

[cleonice]

It is not necessary to make the Sign of the Cross before each prayer you say. It is an additional prayer which predisposes you to more prayer. But it is not wrong if not made before each prayer during the day.
Deacon Ed B

Thanks for the reply. This is what I thought, but I wasn’t sure…

 

[cleonice]

Our former parish priest used to always encourage us to pray and make the sign of the cross at meals at home and in resturants and he used to joke and say make it look like a Sign of the Cross and not like your swatting flies , at first I was uncomfortable with this, call it shyness or pride, probably a little of both, at first I would look to see if anyone was watching-that was out of pride, now I just do it with my eyes downcast and don’t want to know who does and does not see. God Bless you in your struggles.

LOL

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

Our former parish priest used to always encourage us to pray and make the sign of the cross at meals at home and in resturants and he used to joke and say make it look like a Sign of the Cross and not like your swatting flies , at first I was uncomfortable with this, call it shyness or pride, probably a little of both, at first I would look to see if anyone was watching-that was out of pride, now I just do it with my eyes downcast and don’t want to know who does and does not see. God Bless you in your struggles.

Make the Sign of the Cross with pride when in public. Let the people know you are saying grace by this outward sign. it is an excellent example. J’ai confidance dans Jesus ausi. What wonderful Cajun town are you from?
Deacon Ed B