Michael Brooks
The Sign of the Cross is a Catholic tradition and a simple prayer. It is made by touching the forehead and saying, In the name of the Father, then moving down to the middle of the chest, saying, and of the Son, and finally, the left and then right shoulder, stating, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. The movement of the hand during the blessing is from top to bottom and then from left to right. The three raised fingers symbolize the Trinity, while the two lowered fingers represent Christ's two natures, fully man and fully divine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hand position | Thumb, index, and middle fingers together, ring and pinky fingers touching the palm |
| Movement | From forehead to chest or stomach, then left to right shoulder |
| Words/phrases | "In the name of the Father", "and of the Son", "and of the Holy Spirit/Ghost, Amen" |
| Meaning | An outward act to profess inward faith in the Trinity, representing redemption in and through Jesus Christ |
| Other uses | Baptism, anointing of the sick, deliverance prayers, house blessings, Ash Wednesday |
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What You'll Learn
The significance of crossing the forehead, lips, and heart
The act of crossing one's forehead, lips, and heart is a Catholic ritual known as the "Sign of the Cross" or the "three cross prayer." This ritual is performed by making a small cross on the forehead, then the lips, and finally the heart, often accompanied by specific words or prayers. This gesture is deeply significant and carries a wealth of meaning for Catholics.
The forehead is crossed first, symbolizing the desire to have the Word of God in one's thoughts and to purify the mind. It is believed that by doing this, one invites God's presence into their mind, seeking to align their thoughts with divine wisdom. This act is also seen as a form of protection, sealing oneself with the "Sign of the Passion" in times of temptation, as described by Hippolytus of Rome in the 6th century.
Moving to the lips, the crossing gesture represents a prayer for holy speech and a willingness to share the Gospel with others. It is a recognition that our words have power and that they should be used to glorify God and spread his message of love and salvation.
Finally, the heart is crossed as an invitation for God to strengthen one's love for Him and for others. This act signifies a desire for a deeper communion and unity with Jesus Christ, recognizing that God's love should not only dwell in our minds and on our lips but also be firmly rooted in our hearts.
The three cross prayer is not just an individual act but a unifying gesture that connects Catholics with their fellow believers across time and space. When a Catholic makes this sign, they are reminded that they are part of a global community of faith, sharing a collective desire to know, proclaim, and love God. This outward action professes an inward faith in the Trinity and is a declaration of their belonging to God through baptism.
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The correct hand position
The Sign of the Cross is a Catholic tradition and a prayer in itself. There is a specific way to make the sign, with the correct hand position being a vital aspect.
There are variations in the way people position their fingers. Some keep the middle, ring, and little fingers up, while others keep the index finger hooked down with the thumb placed over it. Another variation is to keep the thumb, index, and middle fingers together, touching the ring finger and little finger to the palm.
The direction of the movement also varies. Some people make the sign from right to left, while others make it from left to right. The right-to-left movement is considered the orthodox way and is associated with inviting the Holy Spirit into oneself, while the left-to-right movement is related to ascension and blessing someone to go to Heaven.
The Sign of the Cross is made by touching the forehead, saying "In the name of the Father"; moving down to the middle of the chest, saying "and of the Son"; and finally, moving to the left and right shoulders, saying "and of the Holy Spirit, Amen".
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The meaning of the cross itself
The cross is the principal symbol of the Christian religion. It represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of his Passion and death. The cross is thus a sign of both Christ himself and of the faith of Christians.
The use of the cross as a Christian symbol dates back to the 2nd century, and by the early 3rd century, it had become so closely associated with Christ that phrases like τὸ κυριακὸν σημεῖον (the Lord's sign) were used to refer to it. The earliest known depiction of the execution of Jesus is a second-century or early third-century relief on a jasper gemstone, now in the British Museum in London. It portrays a naked bearded man with his arms tied to a T-shaped cross.
The actual motion of the large sign of the cross is heavily disputed. The Eastern Orthodox state that the right-to-left motion is the more ancient way, while Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans have made the motion from left to right.
The small sign of the cross is made on the forehead during the rites of baptism and the anointing of the sick in Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism. In the Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal traditions of Christianity, the small sign of the cross is often made on the forehead during ordinations, anointing of the sick, and deliverance prayers.
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The history of the sign of the cross
The sign of the cross is a ritual hand motion practised by the majority of the world's Christians, though it is most commonly associated with Catholicism. The gesture is made by touching the hand sequentially to the forehead, lower chest or stomach, and both shoulders, accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: at the forehead, "In the name of the Father" (or *In nomine Patris* in Latin); at the stomach or heart, "and of the Son" (*et Filii*); across the shoulders, "and of the Holy Spirit/Ghost" (*et Spiritus Sancti*); and finally, "Amen".
The earliest evidence of the sign of the cross being used by Christians comes from the second century. Tertullian, an Ante-Nicene Church Father, wrote in AD 204 about the Christian practice of tracing the sign of the cross on one's forehead, as well as on objects such as one's bed before sleeping. St Cyprian (AD 210-258) and other early Church Fathers also witnessed the use of the sign of the cross among the earliest generations of Christians. Given its widespread use in the late 100s, some scholars believe that it may date back to within the living memory of the Apostles.
The large sign of the cross, a four-point movement traced across the chest or in the air, was developed in the 6th century. Hippolytus of Rome, in his Apostolic Tradition, recommends sealing oneself on the forehead with the sign of the cross in times of temptation, describing it as the "Sign of the Passion". This early variant of the practice is still seen in the Masses of the Roman Rite in the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Churches, and the Anglican Churches, where the celebrant makes the gesture on the Gospel book and—together with the congregation—on their forehead, lips, and heart at the proclamation of the Gospel (known as the lesser sign of the cross).
The direction of the movement differs between denominations. The Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutherans, and Eastern Catholics move from right to left, while Western Catholics (the Latin Church) and Western Lutherans move from left to right.
In addition to its use in worship, the sign of the cross is also used in Catholic households to sanctify daily life. Many Catholics make the sign of the cross before beginning an activity to elevate whatever they are doing and draw nearer to God. It is also used as a blessing, with parents often blessing their children with this ancient sign.
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The different ways to make the sign of the cross
The Sign of the Cross is a Catholic tradition and a prayer. There is no single correct way to make the Sign of the Cross, but there are several common methods.
One way is to use the thumb, index, and middle fingers, with the ring and pinky fingers touching the palm. The hand is then touched to the forehead, lower chest or stomach, and both shoulders. This can be accompanied by the Trinitarian formula: at the forehead, say "In the name of the Father" (or "In nomine Patris" in Latin); at the stomach or heart, say "and of the Son" ("et Filii"); across the shoulders, say "and of the Holy Spirit/Ghost" ("et Spiritus Sancti"); and finally, "Amen". This method is common in the Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutheran, and Byzantine Catholic churches.
Another way is to use the middle, ring, and pinky fingers, with the index finger hooked down and the thumb over it. This method is often taught in classes for first communion.
A third way is to extend all five fingers to represent the five wounds of Christ. This method has been used by Popes, such as JP2, when addressing large audiences.
The direction of movement also varies, with some people making large sweeping motions, while others keep it simple and small.
The Sign of the Cross is made at various times during Catholic Mass. Before the Gospel reading, the priest and congregation make a small cross on their forehead, lips, and heart. This represents an inward prayer happening in their hearts as the Gospel is about to be read. The priest says, "A Reading from the Gospel according to St____," and the congregation responds, "Glory to You Oh Lord," while making the small crosses.
The Sign of the Cross is also made during the introductory greeting of the service and at the final blessing. It may also be made during a blessing with holy water, when concluding the penitential rite, or out of personal devotion.
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Frequently asked questions
Crossing your heart is a way of professing your inward faith in the Holy Trinity. It is also a way of inviting God to strengthen your love for Him and others.
The correct way to make the Sign of the Cross is to first touch your forehead and say, "In the name of the Father," then move down to the middle of your chest, saying, "and of the Son," and finally, your left then right shoulder, stating, "and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Holding three fingers together (thumb, index, and middle fingers) while making the sign of the cross symbolizes the Holy Trinity, and the ring and little fingers, which are kept together and pressed against the palm, represent Christ's two natures—fully man and fully divine.
Catholics cross their heart during Mass, specifically when the Gospel is about to be read. They also cross their forehead and lips at the same time.
