With your thumb, trace a small cross on your forehead, another on your lips and another on your heart. The Cross destroyed death and hell, and through it, Jesus redeemed the world. What is the sign of the cross, and why do we make it? Let’s examine these both in more detail. When a cross is made with the thumb and forefinger, the person sometimes ends the sign by kissing their improvised cross. With George Peppard, Broderick Crawford, Louise Sorel, Gordon Pinsent. In other words, inviting the Lord to sanctify their thoughts, their speech and their way of life through His Holy Word. Prayers may also be made by gestures. The sign of the cross is a beautiful gesture which reminds the faithful of the cross of salvation while invoking the Holy Trinity. There are slight differences in how it is made between the various rites of the Church, but they are all legitimate. We are not angels or simply spirits), we pray with both. The sign of the Cross is literally a tracing of the Cross of Christ onto the body. Eastern Christians, both those who are members of the Orthodox Churches and Byzantine or Eastern Catholics in union with Rome, all make the sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father A Roman soldier becomes torn between his love for a … Orthodox Christians make the sign of the Cross because it affirms what we believe about Christ as the Incarnate Son of God and all that He did for us. The sign of the cross is also made during prayer, often on two knees, but it can also be performed standing up, or even lying down, as in the case of a person who is ill. Prayers are usually started and finished with the sign of the cross as well as the Catholic Mass and other Liturgical services such as the Liturgy of the Hours, Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament or Litanies. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Sign of the cross, a gesture of ancient Christian origin by which people bless themselves, others, or objects. The sign of the cross represents the victory of Jesus Christ over death. so making clear to all the members of the congregation that this visible word vividly expresses the prayers already offered in the service. Those who are in holy orders bless by making the sign of the cross in the air toward the persons or things to be blessed, but layfolk bless others only by using their finger, usually the thumb. In the Roman Catholic Liturgy, also called the Holy Mass, when the gospel reading is announced by the Priest or Deacon, Catholics use their thumb and forefinger to make a cross, then trace a tiny cross - first on their forehead, then their lips, and finally over their heart. Because we are both body and soul (a human being is not one or the other; a human being is both! It is frequently used in movies to show that a character is a devout Catholic. The Sign of the Cross is a 1932 American pre-Code epic film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille and released by Paramount Pictures. Technically, the sign of the cross is a sacramental, a sacred sign instituted by the Church which prepares a person to receive grace … Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Words often accompany the sign of the cross, but they are not essential. 'nuff said Copyright 2021 Catholic Online. In the 21st century, however, making the sign of the cross can, oddly, open the door to a wide variety of misinterpretation. The sign of the cross can be made in any position, but is commonly paired with the act of genuflection (kneeling on one knee as a sign of respect). It's not a good luck charm, but it is a sign that says you are willing to accept the suffering of the Cross. If you are one of our rare donors, you have our gratitude and we warmly thank you. The Sign of the Cross September 13, 2017 Liborius Lumma Liturgical Spirituality Ritual Studies Roman Catholics make the sign of the cross in the following order: The right hand moves from top (forehead) to bottom (chest) and then from left (left shoulder) to right (right shoulder). Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. and of the Son Despite his having been able to adapt to the new world of synchronized sound film after his hugely successful career during the silent era helming racy melodramas and Biblical epics, DeMille was floundering in the early 1930s. The Sign of the Cross is the most common Catholic prayer. When I see professional athletes make the sign of the cross during games, I'm not critical of them. Tertullian wrote in the early 200’s about Christians using this gesture as a sign of devotion. It stars Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert, and Charles Laughton, with Ian Keith and Arthur Hohl. Stay up to date with the latest news, information, and special offers. Since Catholics use the sign of the cross so commonly, the gesture itself is considered synonymous with the Catholic Christian faith. So, let us recognize the power of what we do when we pray, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” It affords us powerful protection against the demons and our own weak nature. Some people prefer to touch the chest a second time, after their front right shoulder. It is an outward manifestation that illustrates our view … Or what it means? To all our readers, Please don't scroll past this. Narrator: As often as we make the sign of the cross, repeating at the same time these words: [On-screen graphic] An indulgence of 100 days is granted for making the sign of the cross and saying the words. The sign of the cross is the supreme sacramental. In the Sign of the Cross, we profess the deepest mysteries of the Christian Faith: the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--and the saving work of Christ on the Cross on Good Friday. This “lay blessing” is common in Catholic cultures, made by parents on their children before bed or before going out or on a trip. The more expansive sign of the cross (touching forehead, chest, and shoulders) is first mentioned in the devotional life of Christians in the fifth century, but it was not until the early Middle Ages, largely through the influence of monasteries, that the gesture comes into general use. This second touch represents the fifth wound of Christ. Many of the Christian faithful begin every morning, the moment they awaken, by making that sign which says it all, even without the need for words. The sign of the cross was made simply with the fingers (the index or the thumb) on the forehead or lips or breast (as Latin-rite Catholics do at the beginning of the Gospel lesson) or with the whole hand over the torso.

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