Rachel Evans
The sign of the cross is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially those in the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) traditions. The sign of the cross is made at various points during a Catholic mass, including during blessings, prayers, and communion. However, it is not exclusive to Catholics, and one does not have to be Catholic to make the sign of the cross. It is appropriate to abstain from crossing yourself during a Catholic service if you are not comfortable doing so or are unsure about your religious affiliation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When Catholics cross themselves | Before and after prayer, when entering and leaving a church, at the beginning of Mass, when passing a Catholic church, before eating, when hearing the Holy Name of Jesus taken in vain, when receiving Holy Communion, during the rite of the anointing of the sick, and during baptism |
| Direction of the cross | From top to bottom, then left to right |
| Number of times to cross | Three times before the Gospel is read |
| Which fingers to use | The index and pinky fingers are tucked into the palm, leaving three fingers extended to represent the Holy Trinity |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics cross themselves at the start and end of prayers
The sign of the cross is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially those in the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. The sign of the cross is made at the start and end of prayers in the Catholic Church.
In the Catholic Church, the sign of the cross is a sacramental, defined as "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments" and "always include a prayer, often accompanied by a specific sign, such as the laying on of hands, the sign of the cross, or the sprinkling of holy water". The sign of the cross is made at two points in the Mass: during the introductory greeting of the service and at the final blessing. Other times during the Mass when the laity often cross themselves are during a blessing with holy water, when concluding the penitential rite, in imitation of the priest before the Gospel reading, and perhaps at other times out of personal devotion.
The Roman Catholic method of making the sign of the cross is as follows: the right hand moves from the forehead to the chest, then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. This is different from the Eastern Orthodox method, where the right hand moves from the forehead to the chest and then from the right shoulder to the left shoulder. The direction of the sign of the cross is significant, with the right side associated with goodness, nobility, and heaven, and the left side associated with badness, lowness, and earthiness.
The sign of the cross is also made by Catholics when entering or leaving a church, when passing a Catholic church, and when hearing the Holy Name of Jesus taken in vain. It is a way for Catholics to mark themselves as Christians and to profess their faith in the Trinity and the saving work of Christ on the Cross on Good Friday. The combination of the words and the action is a creed, or a statement of belief.
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Crossing oneself is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches
The Sign of the Cross is a sacramental in the Catholic Church, defined as "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments" and "signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, obtained through the intercession of the Church." It is often accompanied by a prayer or specific sign, such as the sprinkling of holy water. The Sign of the Cross is made at various points during a Catholic Mass, including during introductory greetings, blessings with holy water, and at the final blessing.
The direction and finger placement used when making the Sign of the Cross differ between Eastern and Western traditions. In the Western tradition, including Roman Catholicism, the right hand moves from the forehead to the chest and then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the direction is typically reversed, going from right to left. In the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, the three-finger blessing is commonly used, with the fingers representing the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity.
While crossing oneself is a common practice in liturgical churches, it is not mandatory. Individuals attending a church service or mass can choose to abstain from crossing themselves if they are not comfortable with the practice or unsure about their religious affiliation.
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The direction of the cross is important
In the Roman Catholic Church, the sign of the cross is made from top to bottom and then from left to right. The right hand moves from the forehead to the chest and then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. This is different from the Eastern Orthodox tradition, where the hand movement goes from top to bottom and then from right to left.
The difference in direction is not merely a matter of geographical or cultural variation. The biblical meaning of "the left side" and "the right side" is thought to carry symbolic weight. In the biblical worldview, the right side is associated with goodness, nobility, and heavenliness, while the left side is associated with badness, lowness, and earthliness. Thus, moving from left to right (as in the Western tradition) may symbolize ascension, while moving from right to left (as in the Eastern tradition) may symbolize incarnation.
The direction of the cross is also significant in the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, where most people use the three-finger blessing. The three fingers represent the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and they are brought together in the Godhead. By tucking the index and pinky fingers into the palm of the hand, one represents the Two Natures of Jesus Christ, signifying that he is both fully human and fully divine.
In addition to the direction of the cross, the placement of the hand is also important. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the sign of the cross is made from the forehead to the stomach, right to left. This forms a rough Greek equal-armed cross. In the Western tradition, the movement from the forehead to the chest, and then from left to right, reverses the original order.
The specific direction and placement of the hand in making the sign of the cross are thus important aspects of the Catholic liturgical practice, carrying symbolic meaning and professing the deepest mysteries of the Christian faith.
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The number of times one crosses is also significant
The number of times one crosses oneself is significant in the Catholic Church. For instance, Catholics cross themselves three times before the Gospel is read during Mass. This threefold signing is significant as it represents the desire to hear the Holy Gospel with an open mind, proclaim it with one's lips, and cherish and safeguard it in one's heart. This practice dates back to at least the 11th century, as attested by Pope Innocent III.
Additionally, the direction and number of times one crosses oneself can vary between different Christian denominations. For example, in the Roman Catholic Church, the sign of the cross is made from top to bottom and then from left to right. In contrast, Eastern Orthodox Christians typically make the sign of the cross from top to bottom and then from right to left. The difference in direction is not merely a matter of tradition but also carries theological interpretations. The right side is often associated with goodness, nobility, and heaven in the biblical worldview, while the left side represents the opposite. Thus, moving from left to right can symbolize ascension, while moving from right to left can symbolize incarnation.
It is worth noting that crossing oneself is not exclusive to Catholics, as it is also practised by other Christian denominations, including Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist traditions. The frequency with which individuals cross themselves may vary depending on their specific denomination and personal devotion.
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It is not necessary to cross yourself at church if you are uncomfortable
Crossing oneself is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. The sign of the cross is a sacramental, defined by the Catholic Church as "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments" that "signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church".
The sign of the cross is expected at two points in the Mass: during the introductory greeting of the service and at the final blessing. Other times during the Mass when the laity often cross themselves are during a blessing with holy water, when concluding the penitential rite, in imitation of the priest before the Gospel reading, and perhaps at other times out of personal devotion.
However, it is not necessary to cross yourself at church if you are uncomfortable. If you are attending a church service or mass, it is completely appropriate to abstain from crossing yourself if you are not comfortable doing so or are unsure about your religious affiliation. The sign of the cross is not mandatory, and you are free to choose whether or not to participate in this practice.
The direction and manner of crossing oneself vary between different denominations of Christianity. For example, in the Roman Catholic Church, the right hand moves from the forehead to the chest and then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. In contrast, most Eastern Christians, including Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholics, move their hands from the forehead to the stomach and then from right to left.
The sign of the cross is a powerful symbol and a statement of belief for Christians. It represents the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and the saving work of Christ on the Cross on Good Friday. While it holds significant meaning, it is not obligatory to make the sign of the cross during church services if you feel uncomfortable or unsure about your religious affiliation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is completely appropriate to abstain from crossing yourself if you are not comfortable doing so or are unsure about your religious affiliation.
Catholics cross themselves at the beginning and end of their prayers, when entering and leaving a church, and to start each Mass.
The right hand moves from the forehead to the chest, then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder.
By crossing themselves, Catholics profess the mysteries of the Christian faith: the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and the saving work of Christ on the Cross on Good Friday.
