When is it acceptable to cross one's self?

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MarshallJackson

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I am particularly new to the Catholic faith, and I have been wondering when it is appropriate to cross myself? I feel very strongly about doing so, and it makes me feel very confident in my day to day activities. It helps to remind me that the Lord is here with me in everything that I do. For example, I usually cross myself before I walk out the door, and when I return. What are other times in which to cross one’s self? Are there any times where it is not appropriate to do so?
 
I think it’s good to cross yourself whenever you want, the more the better. I don’t think there is such a thing as an innapropriate time.

I like to cross myself when I say little prayers throughout the day, it feels more solemn that way and focuses me. I also do it when I drive by a car accident or something like that.
 
Whenever you want to. I do before and after prayers, when passing a Church, when entering or leaving a Church, when in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, when passing a cemetary or cemetary procession, at the news of a birth or a death, etc.
 
All of the above. I will also cross myself (discreetly) if I am experiencing anxiety, anger or frustration, or as a way of expressing thankfulness to God.
 
MarshallJackson said:
I am particularly new to the Catholic faith, and I have been wondering when it is appropriate to cross myself? I feel very strongly about doing so, and it makes me feel very confident in my day to day activities. It helps to remind me that the Lord is here with me in everything that I do. For example, I usually cross myself before I walk out the door, and when I return. What are other times in which to cross one’s self? Are there any times where it is not appropriate to do so?
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If you get a holy water font for each door, you can cross yourself with holy water, always a nice touch and a reminder of our baptism as you go out into the world. Something I grew up doing and have taken back as my Catholic heritage.

Of course we cross ourselves before the meal blessings. We don’t say the after-meal prayer but many do. Some will say the prayers and cross themselves even in a restaurant - that makes my husband really uncomfortable so I usually imagine myself making the sign of the cross and then I say the blessing silently. He’s just a very private person and doesn’t want to be obvious in any way.

Then I also cross myself before I settle down to pray in my bed at night.

I also cross myself if I see a funeral procession, or an ambulance or a fire truck. I say a prayer for the person’s soul, for anyone hurt or ill, and for the first responders/EMTs/firefighters’ safety.

Do it as often as you feel comfortable with! But I would be cautious at work. You don’t want to jeopardize your job if your boss or a co-worker is rabidly anti-Catholic. You can live your faith without being obvious about it.

👍
 
Whenever you want–the more the better, I always say! A lot of folks also cross themselves when passing a Church.
 
Thanks everyone! Your answers are great 🙂 It’s awesome to have such a nice community on here that will answer my questions and understand my “newness” to the faith without criticizing me (which happens on just about every other website these days). It really means a lot to me 🙂 God bless
 
Bruised_Reed said:
Catholic Grout List
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I need this list! I had picked up on some of these, but not all.

I am confused about #5. It says that, when driving past a church, “whether alone or with others, (and whether they are Catholic or not), make the sign of the cross…” I’m not sure if “and whether they are Catholic or not” is refering to the church being passed, or to the friends in the car? Surely Catholics don’t cross themselves when passing every single church? I do this if I know the church is Catholic, because the Real Presence is there.
 
SecretaryMonday said:
I need this list! I had picked up on some of these, but not all.

I am confused about #5. It says that, when driving past a church, “whether alone or with others, (and whether they are Catholic or not), make the sign of the cross…” I’m not sure if “and whether they are Catholic or not” is refering to the church being passed, or to the friends in the car? Surely Catholics don’t cross themselves when passing every single church? I do this if I know the church is Catholic, because the Real Presence is there.
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I think it means the friends for the reason you gave. 🙂
 
Bruised_Reed said:
I think it means the friends for the reason you gave. 🙂
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Yes, I should have been able to get it myself…‘church’ is singular and ‘friends’ is plural, which is a better fit for “whether they are Catholic or not”…I are smart, I just doesn’t always try. 😛
 
Also, I think it is sensible to cross oneself directly before operating a motor vehicle. Considering the traffic out there(!).
 
Do not hesitate to make the sign of the cross in public. It is a silent profession of faith.

I have a friend who grew up in Prague (Czech Republic) when they were under the boot of the Soviet Union. It was illegal to make any public show of religion. If you made the sign of the cross in public, you could go to jail.

There were cases where people would stand directly in front of a policeman and make the sign of the cross. They would get arrested, and count it as an honor to suffer for Christ. :signofcross:
For he that shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of man shall be ashamed, when he shall come in his majesty, and that of his Father, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26)
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grasscutter said:
Also, I think it is sensible to cross oneself directly before operating a motor vehicle. Considering the traffic out there(!).
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And even more so when one sets off on a bicycle commute!!:eek: (as I do)

Plus, when I get home, I kneel down, cross myself, and thank God for keeping me safe on my to-and-fro journeys. It’s dangerous out there on a bike!
 
I am not going to claim that I do this all the time but I try to cross myself when I see something particularly beautiful and wish to express my gratitude. Also when I see something sorrowful to express my prayer for healing.

There is no time that crossing oneself is inappropriate.
 
MarshallJackson said:
I am particularly new to the Catholic faith, and I have been wondering when it is appropriate to cross myself? I feel very strongly about doing so, and it makes me feel very confident in my day to day activities. It helps to remind me that the Lord is here with me in everything that I do. For example, I usually cross myself before I walk out the door, and when I return. What are other times in which to cross one’s self? Are there any times where it is not appropriate to do so?
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Basically anytime you feel led to pray (The SOTC is a prayer in itself).

Good times for it:

Waking up in the morning
Going to Mass
Before and after meals
When passing a Catholic Church
Before going to bed
before and after prayers
 
The Sign of the Cross is very powerful, so it can be used in time of temptation as well. If you have an uncharitable thought, you can make a small sign of the cross on your forehead. If you are tempted to speak inappropriately, one on your lips.

Maybe I should try it on my fingers and keyboard. :newidea:
 
MarshallJackson said:
I am particularly new to the Catholic faith, and I have been wondering when it is appropriate to cross myself? I feel very strongly about doing so, and it makes me feel very confident in my day to day activities. It helps to remind me that the Lord is here with me in everything that I do. For example, I usually cross myself before I walk out the door, and when I return. What are other times in which to cross one’s self? Are there any times where it is not appropriate to do so?
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There are no rules on when it is unacceptable to cross yourself (as long as it is not outright blasphemous of course ;)).

My mother taught me that it should be done when driving past a Catholic church (as long as you can do it safely).

In the Byzantine churches, it is done with mention of the Holy Trinity and the name of the Theotokos (the Mother of God, Mary), and sometimes I get in the habit of doing that back at my Latin church when it is mentioned “Glory be to the Father…” during the introit.
 
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