The Sign of the Cross

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I’m not sure which sub forum to ask this in so I will try this one.

When is the sign of the cross used at prayer and when is it not ?

The local Catholic parish priest made a delightfully surprising and unannounced visit to my home this week. Neither I or my wife are Catholic but I have been visiting at mass myself. When I asked if he would pray for us, when he rose to leave, he did so. But he did not make the sign of the cross, we merely held hands in a circle.

My belief is that he did this because he did not wish to be over imposing in his visit. He had arrived to say thank you for something my household had recently done and was thinking for sure one of us must be Catholic and later realized that I was only inquiring at his parish but for now the family attends the Lutheran Missouri Synod parish. My wife and I both were originally Seventh Day Adventists. He understood just how far we have traveled to even be inquiring.

As I think back to our Catholic friends in the state we came from. They would always use the cross when they prayed at dinner or otherwise in their home. But when visiting with us, when we prayed, they would not.

I ask this because one of the things I’ve always wondered about is when is it ok not to make the sign of the cross. For instance if I become Catholic and then wind up praying with the extended family which is mostly Seventh Day Adventist, a few Jehovas Witnesses, and a couple Southern Baptists, do I really have to unite them all against me when I make the cross and say “in the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit” or can I just say a more appropriate thing given the nature of those assembled that still honors God but does not drive people away.

Can anyone give me guidance on this topic overall, or send me a link that does.

Thanks.
 
Put it this way - it’s ALWAYS OK to make the sign of the Cross, whenever you want. It’s NEVER required, though, except where it is part of formal prayers like the Mass.

I’m not saying it’s wrong to not make the sign of the Cross if you think it will upset people.

But if you’re serious about sharing your faith you ARE going to have to tell them you’re becoming Catholic at some point, no? Won’t they be equally upset then? Why not start as you mean to go on?
 
Imagine your parents killing themselves over you telling them you’re becoming Catholic.

Now go to your parents and tell them you’re becoming Catholic, because whatever reaction they have, it won’t be suicide.
 
If and when I decide finally to do so I will definitely tell them. I was thinking more of the times when we gather together as a family, and they know but perhaps do we have to make it a visible point of division.

I guess I was somewhat startled when the Father didn’t do it. But I figured “Father knows best”.

And I wondered why.

Thanks for the kind answers.
 
It’s not obligatory as has been said but you shouldn’t hide the fact that you’re Catholic to your family simply out of fear.

You don’t have to be making the sign when joining them in prayer, though it’d be best if fear wasn’t the motivator behind not doing it.

The sign is generally used a lot in mass, used at the start and end of a Rosary and other prayers, and in my case I also do it whenever I give thanks for a meal (which is not really intrusive and can serve as a sign of your faith to friends, family or even strangers.)

I once stayed with another family who asked me about why I always did the sign of the cross before meals (they didn’t mind but were curious). I pray that whatever small witness that served can help to one day lead them to Christ.

Don’t be afraid and don’t be ashamed to do it. 👍
 
I also agree that making the Sign of the Cross is not compulsory outside mass, personal/family/friends devotions. If you are with a group of SDAs, Mormons and Southen Baptists you have to examine what is in your heart. If you feel that you must make the Sign of the Cross then do so, but if you are doing it to ‘show off’, or shove your Catholicism in their faces, then I think you are doing the wrong thing. They will know you are Catholic anyway. If you know that it’s going to offend people, then you shouldn’t do it either. The New Testament guides us not to offend our brother or to feed ‘strong meat’ to the weak (at first anyway).

I think the priest didn’t make the sign of the cross to make you feel more at ease, sort of like he was adopting your customs in your home.

God Bless

Rove
 
roveau said:
I also agree that making the Sign of the Cross is not compulsory outside mass, personal/family/friends devotions. If you are with a group of SDAs, Mormons and Southen Baptists you have to examine what is in your heart. If you feel that you must make the Sign of the Cross then do so, but if you are doing it to ‘show off’, or shove your Catholicism in their faces, then I think you are doing the wrong thing. They will know you are Catholic anyway. If you know that it’s going to offend people, then you shouldn’t do it either. The New Testament guides us not to offend our brother or to feed ‘strong meat’ to the weak (at first anyway).

I think the priest didn’t make the sign of the cross to make you feel more at ease, sort of like he was adopting your customs in your home.

God Bless

Rove
Click to expand...
This was the thinking behind my question. But the others who read it differently also told me things I needed to hear too.

Thanks to all.
 
While browsing the on-line Catholic Encyclopedia last evening, I came across an interesting history of the sign of the cross, its various types and when it is generally used. Just try entering “Sign of the Cross” in the search box. I got to it by doing a general search on sacramentals.
 
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