Rachel Evans
The sign of the cross is a way for Catholics to express their devotion to Christ and is often accompanied by a prayer. It is made in many contexts, both privately and in church. The right hand moves from the forehead to the chest, then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. Some Catholics make the sign from right to left, while others make it from left to right. The sign of the cross is also common in many Orthodox and Protestant traditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Direction | Left to right |
| Hand Used | Right hand |
| Fingers Used | Thumb, index, and middle |
| Fingertips Touch | Forehead, chest or stomach, left shoulder, and right shoulder |
| Invocation | "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." |
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What You'll Learn
The order of the cross: top to bottom, left to right
The sign of the cross is a way of expressing that one belongs to Christ, embracing His cross as one's own. It is also a form of prayer.
To make the sign of the cross, the right hand moves from top to bottom, then from left to right. Specifically, the hand moves from the forehead to the chest, then from the left shoulder to the right shoulder. This is the Western tradition, or the Latin Rite, and is commonly associated with Roman Catholics.
In the Eastern tradition, the order is different: top to bottom, then right to left. This is associated with Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches.
The sign of the cross is made in many contexts, both privately and in church. It is usually accompanied by an invocation of the Holy Trinity. If you are uncomfortable saying the prayer out loud, it is okay to recite it in your head. If the service is in English, say: "In the name of the Father...". If the service is in Latin, say: "In nomine Patris...".
The use of the sign of the cross can be traced back to early Christianity. It is a sacramental, defined by the Catholic Church as "sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments". It signifies effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, obtained through the intercession of the Church.
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Using the right hand
To cross yourself as a Catholic, you should use your right hand. There are a few different ways to do this, depending on the specific tradition within Catholicism.
If you are part of the Latin Rite, it is traditional to bless yourself when you walk into a church. You can dip your fingers in holy water, then make the sign of the cross. Hold your right thumb, index, and middle fingertips together, tucking your other fingers into your palm. Touch your fingertips to your forehead, then bring your hand down to your chest or the top of your stomach.
In the Western tradition, you would lift your right hand to your forehead, then touch the centre of your chest, your left shoulder, and then your right shoulder. This is done from top to bottom and then from left to right. This is the most common way for Roman Catholics to make the sign of the cross.
However, some Catholics make the sign of the cross from right to left, which was the traditional way of doing it in the early church and is still continued today by the Eastern Church. With your right hand, you can touch your forehead with two straight fingers (middle and index fingers), then the place between your chest and belly, then your left shoulder and finally your right shoulder.
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Touching the forehead, chest, left shoulder, right shoulder
The act of crossing oneself is a way for Catholics to express their devotion to Christ. It is a ritualistic blessing and prayer that acknowledges their belief in the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This act is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and is often accompanied by an invocation of the Trinity.
To cross oneself as a Catholic, the right hand is typically used, with the thumb, index, and middle fingertips touching. The hand is then brought to the forehead, symbolizing the beginning of a prayer or blessing. Next, the hand is placed on the chest, specifically over the heart, as a sign of embracing Christ's love. The act of touching the left shoulder, and then the right shoulder, follows, representing the biblical significance of the left as earthly and the right as heavenly. This movement from left to right is also said to symbolize salvation through Jesus.
While the steps described above are commonly practiced by Catholics, there are slight variations. For instance, some Catholics touch their fingertips to the center of their forehead and then bring their hand down to their chest or the top of their stomach, near the solar plexus. This variation is observed in Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, where the three-finger blessing is commonly used.
It is important to note that the direction in which the hand moves during the sign of the cross has been a topic of discussion. Traditionally, the hand moved from right to left, and this practice is still observed by some Catholics today. However, the more common direction now is from left to right, mirroring the priest during the evangelization of Spain.
The sign of the cross is a powerful symbol and act of devotion for Catholics. It is often done at the start of worship, during blessings, or even when passing by a church. By touching their forehead, chest, left shoulder, and right shoulder, Catholics are expressing their faith and embracing the cross as their own.
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Using three fingers
When making the sign of the cross as a Catholic, it is customary to use three fingers. The three fingers represent the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The index and pinky fingers are tucked into the palm, representing the dual nature of Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine.
To begin, hold your right hand up, with your thumb, index, and middle fingertips touching each other. Touch your fingertips to your forehead, then bring your hand down to your torso. Some people touch their chest, while others touch the top of their stomach, or solar plexus. From there, reach your arm out to your left shoulder, then bring it back across your body to your right shoulder.
The motion of the hand is typically from left to right, which has a symbolic meaning in the biblical worldview. The right side is associated with goodness, nobility, and heaven, while the left side represents the opposite. Thus, moving your hand from left to right symbolizes ascension. However, some Catholics continue the traditional right-to-left motion, which was the original way of making the sign of the cross.
After completing the sign of the cross, it is customary to bring your hands back to a prayer position, with palms pressed together. This final gesture is an important sign of reverence and should not be rushed or skipped.
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The meaning of the sign of the cross
The Sign of the Cross is a powerful symbol of faith and a way of expressing that one belongs to Christ, embracing His crucifixion as their own. It is a form of prayer and a witness, and when Catholics make the Sign of the Cross, they are asking the Lord to renew their baptismal vows.
The Sign of the Cross is also a reminder of what happened during their baptism. When Catholics sign themselves, they are declaring that during their baptism, they died sacramentally with Christ on the cross and rose to a new life with Him. They are also acknowledging that their baptism joined them to the Body of Christ and equipped them for their role of collaborating with the Lord in His work of rescuing all people from sin and death.
The act of signing oneself is also a recognition that one is Christ's sheep and can count on His care; His soldiers, commissioned to work with Him in advancing His kingdom on earth; and His servants, dedicated to doing whatever He tells us.
The Sign of the Cross is also said to make the devil cower and flee. It is a defensive move, declaring our inviolability to the devil’s influence, and an offensive weapon, helping us reclaim with Christ all that Satan lost at the cross.
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