Michael Brooks
The Catholic Church frequently uses the crucifix, a cross that depicts the tortured body of Jesus Christ, to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice he made. The Sign of the Cross, the most common Catholic prayer, is performed by tracing an upright cross over one's body, often while reciting the Trinitarian formula: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. This gesture is believed to profess the deepest mysteries of the Christian faith, invoking the Holy Trinity and acknowledging Jesus' saving work on the cross. Catholics make the Sign of the Cross when praying, entering a church, and during Mass, among other occasions, viewing it as a powerful symbol of their faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of the crucifix | To display the immense love Christ has for all humanity and to remind us of the hope of the Resurrection won by that victory of Jesus' Passion |
| The sign of the cross | Made by tracing an upright cross or Greek cross across the body with the right hand, often accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." |
| The small sign of the cross | Made on the forehead during the rites of baptism and the anointing of the sick in Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism |
| The large sign of the cross | Made from left to right by Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans |
| The crucifix | A cross that shows the tortured body of Jesus Christ |
| The empty cross | A common Christian symbol shared by all Christian churches |
| The corpus | The representation of Jesus himself on the cross |
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What You'll Learn
The Sign of the Cross
The small sign of the cross is also made on the forehead during rites of baptism and the anointing of the sick in Catholicism, as well as during ordinations, anointing, and deliverance prayers in some other Christian traditions.
The use of the crucifix, a cross bearing the body of Jesus Christ, is a distinctive feature of Catholic devotion. The crucifix serves as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice, emphasizing His love for humanity and the hope of the Resurrection. While some non-Catholic Christians view the crucifix as a symbol of Catholic attachment to Christ's crucifixion rather than His resurrection, Catholics regard it as a symbol of salvation and Christ's victory over sin and death.
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Crucifixes
The crucifix is a principal symbol for many groups of Christians, and one of the most common forms of crucifixion in the arts. It is especially important in the Catholic Church, but is also used in Lutheran Churches, Anglican Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and most Oriental Orthodox Churches (except the Armenian Church and Syriac Church). The symbol is less common in churches of other Protestant denominations, and in the Assyrian Church of the East and Armenian Apostolic Church, which prefer to use a cross without the figure of Jesus (the corpus).
The use of crucifixes by Catholics follows an ancient tradition that honours the supreme sacrifice of Jesus. While the empty cross is a common Christian symbol shared by all Christian churches, Catholics stand out for their frequent use of the crucifix, a cross that shows the tortured body of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the crucifix has always been to display the immense love Christ has for all humanity and to remind us of the hope of the Resurrection won by that victory of Jesus' Passion. St. Augustine in the 4th century offered a perfect summary of why Catholics use a crucifix:
> The death of the Lord our God should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon himself the death that he found in us, he has most faithfully promised to give us life in him, such as we cannot have of ourselves.
In the Middle Ages, small crucifixes, generally hung on a wall, became normal in the personal cells or living quarters of monks, then clergy, and eventually the laity. Many towns had a large crucifix erected as a monument, or some other shrine at the crossroads of the town. Building on this ancient custom, many Catholics, Lutherans, and Anglicans hang a crucifix inside their homes and also use the crucifix as a focal point of a home altar. The wealthy erected proprietary chapels as they could afford to do so. Catholic (both Eastern and Western), Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, and Anglican Christians generally use the crucifix in public religious services.
The standard, four-pointed Latin crucifix (used in the Catholic and Lutheran traditions) consists of an upright post or stipes and a single crosspiece to which the sufferer's arms were nailed. There may also be a short projecting nameplate, showing the letters INRI (Greek: INBI). The Russian Orthodox crucifix usually has an additional third crossbar, to which the feet are nailed, and which is angled upward toward the penitent thief Saint Dismas (to the viewer's left) and downward toward the impenitent thief Gesta.
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The Greek cross
This form of the cross is also said to represent the true cross on which Christ died. According to tradition, the Emperor Constantine, after his vision of the cross, ordered that a standard be made in the form of the Greek cross, which was carried at the head of the army. This standard was known as the "labarum". The Greek cross is also often used as a symbol of the resurrection and the hope of eternal life.
In architecture, the Greek cross is a common feature, especially in the design of churches and cathedrals. Many Christian churches are designed in the shape of a Greek cross, with four equal arms extending from a central dome or tower. This design is meant to symbolize the equality of all people before God and the universal reach of the Christian message.
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The Latin cross
This type of cross is often depicted with a corpus, or a three-dimensional representation of Jesus' body, which serves as a reminder of his sacrifice and death on the cross. The Latin cross is a central symbol of Catholic devotion and is often used in rituals and ceremonies. It is also commonly found in Catholic art, architecture, and iconography, where it serves as a powerful reminder of the faith's fundamental beliefs.
In Catholic tradition, the Latin cross is often used in blessings and exorcisms, where it is believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the faithful. It is also a key element in Catholic prayers, such as the Sign of the Cross, which is a common gesture used to begin and end prayers, as well as to bless oneself. Catholics trace the shape of the Latin cross on their body with their hand while reciting the words: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Additionally, the Latin cross is central to Catholic sacraments, such as baptism and confirmation. During baptism, the sign of the cross is made on the forehead of the person being baptised with holy water, symbolising their initiation into the Catholic faith. Similarly, during confirmation, the bishop will trace the sign of the cross on the confirmand's forehead with holy oil, signifying the strengthening of their faith.
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The movement of the cross
There are two main variations of the sign of the cross: the large sign and the small sign. The large sign of the cross is made by tracing an upright cross across the body with the right hand, often while reciting the Trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." This movement echoes the traditional shape of the cross on which Jesus was crucified.
The small sign of the cross is a more intimate gesture, typically made on the forehead during rites such as baptism and the anointing of the sick. It is also used in Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism. Tertullian, an early Christian writer, documented the use of the small sign of the cross as early as AD 204, noting that Christians would make this sign on their foreheads and on objects like their beds before sleeping.
When performing the large sign of the cross, the direction of the movement varies among different Christian denominations. Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans make the sign from left to right, while Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics move from right to left. The Eastern traditions also hold specific finger placements, with the first three fingers (thumb, index, and middle) extended and the last two fingers pressed against the palm. This finger placement symbolises faith in the Trinity and the dual nature of Jesus as both divine and human.
The sign of the cross is an integral part of Catholic worship and is expected at specific points during the Mass. The laity signs themselves during the introductory greeting and the final blessing. Additionally, the sign may be made during other parts of the Mass, such as a blessing with holy water or before the Gospel reading.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church has honoured the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross since the earliest days of Christianity. The crucifix reminds Catholics that there is no resurrection without the cross and that Jesus' death was the greatest expression of his divine love.
The cross became significant through Christ Jesus, and Catholics remember his passion and death by venerating the cross. The cross represents both our struggles and our salvation, and it is only meaningful when in union with Christ.
The small sign of the cross is made with the thumb of the right hand on the forehead to bless oneself. It is also used to bless various objects, such as one's bed before sleeping.
The large sign of the cross is made by tracing an upright cross across the body with the right hand, often accompanied by the recitation of the Trinitarian formula: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Crosses are commonly found in Catholic churches, on top of church buildings, in cemeteries, and in personal jewellery. Catholic depictions of the cross often include a figure of Jesus, emphasising that it is Jesus that is important, rather than the cross in isolation.
