catholics how do you cross yourself (which side start on?) does it matter?

Question

please give me a detailed order and do you say anything while you do it. thank you.

Answer 1

Forehead, chest, left shoulder, right shoulder. "Name the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen"

Answer 2

The sign of the cross is actually a prayer and an expression of our believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit...the Blessed Trinity. One starts with the right hand and places it on the forehead, the heart, then the left shoulder, and the right shoulder and this is to affirm our belief in the Holy Trinity and the cross is to represent the fact that it is only through the cross of Jesus that we are redeemed and saved by His death and resurrection upon the cross. What is said is "In the name of the Father (forehead), The Son (heart), and the Holy Spirit (as the hand goes from the left shoulder to the right).

Answer 3

In the Latin Rite church you start head, heart, to the left shoulder and across to the right.

Eastern Orthodox is the same except goes to the right shoulder first and ends with the left.

You say, "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

P.S. By the way....the Western Latin Rite Church, normally referred to as Roman Catholic, and the Eastern Rite Orthodox church are in communion and each recognizes the Pope. In fact, there is a Maronite Eastern Rite church that is part of my Diocese in the Southeastern United States. The Rest is traditional Roman Catholic.

To sum it up.....left shoulder first, or right shoulder first, doesn't really matter....there is no wrong or right way. Just do it.

P.P.S. I really liked your commentary MommaMia. Very Nice.

Answer 4

Yes it does matter...

Using your Right hand... you start at the middle of the forehead...(you say...In The Name Of The Father), then you go down to your middle chest by your heart...(you say...And Of The Son), then you go to the left side of your chest, then to the right side of your chest, near the shoulders...(as you make those Two moves, you say...And Of The Holy Spirit).

Then if you have a Rosary...You kiss it...otherwise you kiss the Right hand and say Amen.

I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Follow along with the right hand...

In the name of the Father (forehead)
the Son (heart)
and the Holy (across to left shoulder) Spirit (right shoulder)

Amen

That's how it's done, long time Catholic talking.

Answer 6

When I make the sign of the cross after praying i started with the head and say In the name of the father and thenI cross the chest and then i say son and then cross my left shoulder and say holy and then I cross the right shoulder and say spirit.

Answer 7

You start with your forehead, then chest, then left side, then right side and then put your hands together at the end. You say "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Answer 8

Well, at least you asked before screwing up in public. Here you go:

Forehead (In the name of the Father), Heart (the son), Left shoulder to right shoulder (and the holy spirit). Amen. and yes... it DOES matter which side you start on... b/c orthodox christians cross themselves from right to left!

Answer 9

I open my hand and touch my brow, and say,
"In the name of the Father"

Then I touch my heart with my hand, and say,
"and of the Son."

I touch my shoulders left and right, and say,
"and of the Holy Spirit"

I say,
"Amen."

The Sign of the Cross is
- A statement of belief in the Holy Trinity
- A statement of belief in and thanksgiving for Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross
- God blessing us
- Us Blessing God ("I will bless the Lord at all times")
- A prayer using your entire body

With love in Christ.

Answer 10

forehead--in the name of the Father
should be heart but I go more like stomach (got told off by a priest once, but to me the heart level is too high to make a real cross shape)--and of the Son
left shoulder ---and of the Holy
right shoulder ---Spirit
hands together -- Amen