Making the Sign of the Cross

Tracing the sign of the cross on oneself (forehead-to-abdomen, shoulder-to-shoulder) is an historic practice in liturgical setting generally done when one perceives to have received a blessing.  For instance, we cross ourselves at a number of places in our Eucharistic liturgy such as listed below:

·         At the Opening Acclamations as we are blessed to be entering the presence of our Lord in
worship.
 

·         At the pronouncement of the absolution of our sins following the Confession.

 

·         During the Nicene Creed when we proclaim that we are counted among those who “look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.”
 

 
·         At the name of the Trinity when used as an invocation by the preacher.
 

·         At “Blessed is he” during the Benedictus Qui Venit as an acknowledgement that we are indeed blessed by “He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

·         As we are approached with the bread and wine at the altar rail and after having received the Blessed Sacrament.

Of course, this is a totally optional liturgical gesture, and the list above in not exhaustive.  One can cross oneself anytime and anywhere one feels he or she is receiving a blessing from God, whether in the liturgy or not.  A good example is when giving a blessing at a meal. 

 

One of my favorite times to cross myself is during my prayers first thing in the morning.  It is for me a sign of God’s blessing and protection upon my day, but it is also a mark upon my body that I indeed belong to the Lord, lest the devil forget.                                                        Father Rob