The Sign of the Cross has a special connection to baptism. The original form of the Babylonian letter T was †, identical to the crosses used today in this world's Christianity. However I should mention that the Bible does not forbid a Christian to make the sign of the cross, meaning that when someone makes the sign of the cross he does not commit a sin. We begin and end our prayers with the Sign … From the cross or crucifix perched on top of churches to the action of making the sign of the cross on one’s own body, the symbol has become so ingrained in Christianity that it … The sign of the cross has enormous power as a sacramental; it does not cause the spiritual thing it signifies but draws on the prayer of the Church to affect us in our lives. For what purpose? Here are 21 things: 1. Footballers often make the sign of the cross as they come out of the tunnel on to the pitch. “The sign of the cross is the most common way of confessing our faith. 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. What does the worship of Tammuz have to do with the sign of the cross? This is like an invisible badge to show that Christians are united with Christ and must not be ashamed to stand up for their faith in him. These are the core of why Catholics do the sign of the cross. It also represents loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind and strength. Learn more about the history and symbolism of the cross. This is no different than when we communicate with God. Answer. It is believed that it had its origin in apostolic times.” [My Catholic Faith by Louis La Ravoire Morrow, p. 392] So, Ivy, it shows that it is a sign found—it is a sign made inside the Catholic Church. 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). It is traced by the Church on the forehead of the catechumen before baptism. A simple upright post with a transverse bar used crucifixion. The sign of the cross is the supreme sacramental. Granted we are in the West; however, that does not really make us right and the East wrong. The sign of the cross is a beautiful gesture which reminds the faithful of both the cross of salvation while invoking the Holy Trinity. Introduction Cross at Cape Kamenjack, Istria, Croatia. There are several theological interpretations of that difference. Surprisingly, though, there is nothing in the rubrics about the laypeople making this sign. It marks the soul as the Lord’s special possession and erases all absolute claims any principality or power attempt to make over it. Video About The Sign Of The Cross. With their right hand. The Many Meanings of the Cross. It is a sign that this life has been brought under the shadow of Christ’s work of redemption. Most Eastern Christians do it in a different order: From top to bottom and then from right to left. It's a symbol of death, but so much more. A terrible tragedy for Christianity has been, and always will be, the separation between rite and symbol; or to be more precise, the tragedy is due to the fact that the believers have forgotten the meaning of the symbols that take place during the various rites.. The gestures vary slightly depending upon what Christian tradition is performing the action. A. The sign of the cross often the first thing a Catholic Christian does upon waking, and the last thing done before bed. And then we remain standing as we listen to the Gospel. Let’s examine these both in more detail. Making the triple Sign of the Cross like this before the Gospel is a longstanding tradition. Cross, the principal symbol of the Christian religion, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of his Passion and death. But what exactly are we doing when we make the Sign of the Cross? The Greek schismatics do not make the Sign of the Cross in the same manner as it is formed by the members of the Catholic Church. The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus, is the best-known symbol of Christianity. If you are teaching Catholic preschoolers, I would encourage you to take a look at my book, Catholic ABC’s! At baptism, the priest makes the sign of the cross on your child’s forehead. I noticed in reference to the Sign of the Cross, you state a "mistake" many children make is touching the right shoulder before the left.Is that not the way it was originally done and is still done in the Eastern Catholic communities? We all use body language to communicate with others. The sign of the cross is the supreme sacramental. The Theological Meaning of the Sign of the Cross. Technically, the sign of the cross is a sacramental, a sacred sign instituted by the Church which prepares a person to receive grace and which sanctifies a moment or circumstance. When you make the sign of the Cross in the Roman Catholic Church, it is always done with the right hand, no matter what your dominant hand is in the rest of your life. Right across Europe there are crosses on many of the highest points of ground. It serves as an abbreviated form of the Apostles’ Creed. The sign of the cross is a beautiful gesture which reminds the faithful of the cross of salvation while invoking the Holy Trinity. Touching our forehead, breast and shoulders, we declare our belief in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 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