Would it be Imprudent to Make the Sign of the Cross at Work?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Melodeonist
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Melodeonist

Guest
I often pray while I am at work: Usually in my head or in whispers. However, I never make the Sign of the Cross before and after praying at work because I don’t want to offend anyone or get in trouble. I just feel it would be very imprudent to make the Sign of the Cross at work.

What do you guys think? Would it be best for me to continue as is with no Sign of the Cross at work, or should I start making the Sign of the Cross at work?
 
As long as it doesn’t conflict with your duties at work somehow, I think it would be fine to make the Sign of the Cross. I make it at school and I plan to do the same when I work.
 
I rarely make the sign of the cross in front of anyone at work…but I work in a public school. So yeah, not prudent to display personal worship in public at my work. 😛 In private in my classroom, no worries.

This really comes down to prudential judgment.

Although I always pray before meals, I don’t give any indication of doing so at work when I’m among other staff members. I might pray in my classroom, or silently on the way to the staff lounge, or even in the restroom. 😃

Most of the staff wouldn’t care, and most of them know I’m uber Catholic, but I’d rather not draw attention to myself and my religious beliefs in that setting. But that’s just my own judgment of my own situation.

If it doesn’t interfere with your work, your right to pray is protected by the Constitution. 👍

God bless you!
 
I agree with the idea of the discreet crossing on the forehead.

You know your work environment better than we ever will. In some places, it would be more acceptable than others. There are many things to take into account, as you’ve noted, but also things like unintended perceptions. Where I work, this would be totally acceptable, however, I am in a supervisory role, and I don’t think it would be appropriate to do so where my employees could see me and think that I am favoring or setting an example of religious practice that they should follow simply to be on the boss’s good side or become uncomfortable because of a preconceived misconception of Catholicism or whatever may enter their heads that would both run counter to my intentions and our ability to function productively.
 
It would really depend on where you work and when you did it. I have a small crucifix on my cube wall and make the Sign of the Cross when I start work and also before and after grace at lunch time when I eat at my desk. I figure if coworkers can have statuette of Ganesh, Shiva. Buddha or borrow a conference room to pray towards Mecca then me quietly engaging in my own prayers shouldn’t be an issue. I have also been known to pray the rosary on break and no one has ever said anything.

As I said it will depend on where you work, but I won’t hide that I am Catholic just to not offend someone else.
 
If you are working with customers, probably hold off until alone, especially if you just handed them their meal or something! 🙂

I teach, so have about 5 minutes between classes, I usually cross myself before the next class arrives, for my own peace of mind.
 
What is your intent by the sign?
Are you stopping work to pray? Are you making a point with someone?
Your threads seem to indicate that you’re so excited about your faith you’d like to be influential, for your mother and co-workers for example.
I would not hide my beliefs from anyone for anything, but out of respect for others, I don’t purposefully make the sign unless I am saying grace or have some other necessary reason to do so.
 
Thanks for the replies! I mostly stock shelves, clean up, and sell customers gas at the supermarket I work at. I do work with customers while selling gas but most of the time I am stocking shelves.

I like the idea of discreetly making the Sign of the Cross on your forehead (I might not touch my forehead when I do it though for sanitary purposes!) 🙂
 
For me, it would be imprudent not to. But I’m a parish priest.
 
Melodeonist said:
Thanks for the replies! I mostly stock shelves, clean up, and sell customers gas at the supermarket I work at. I do work with customers while selling gas but most of the time I am stocking shelves.

I like the idea of discreetly making the Sign of the Cross on your forehead (I might not touch my forehead when I do it though for sanitary purposes!) 🙂
Click to expand...
So why would you be making the sign of the cross while stocking shelves, cleaning up, or pumping gas? I don’t get it.

I don’t do it when I am out grocery shopping, or pumping gas or cleaning up.
Now, if you had said when you were stopping to eat your lunch or something, that’s a different story.
 
Go for it :byzsoc:, just don’t chant the Liturgy of the Hours :highprayer:

You won’t get into trouble or offend anyone at all
Just don’t pray to show others that you pray. Have a pure intention:D
:console:
 
Along with the suggestion to do it on your forehead, I’ll add that I simply cross my thumb and forefinger if I feel I must make the Sign of the Cross somewhere where either way would be noticed.
 
Melodeonist said:
I often pray while I am at work: Usually in my head or in whispers. However, I never make the Sign of the Cross before and after praying at work because I don’t want to offend anyone or get in trouble. I just feel it would be very imprudent to make the Sign of the Cross at work.

What do you guys think? Would it be best for me to continue as is with no Sign of the Cross at work, or should I start making the Sign of the Cross at work?
Click to expand...
I’ve prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at a public university. I don’t think it’s a problem. Don’t worry about offending people. Your faith is not supposed to make folks feel comfortable.
 
I make the Sign of the Cross when I say Grace before eating lunch at my desk. I also have a small Crucifix on my desk at work. I’m Catholic; it’s what I do.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top