Ok this might seem silly but, what is it called when people do the cross on themselves? I mean when you touch your forehead, touch your heart, and touch both of your shoulders? Some people kiss their thumbs afterwards. Is this called doing the "Hail Mary"? I know what the hail mary prayer is, but I wanted to know if crossing yourself like that is called doing the hail mary? If not, what is it called? Thank you! God Bless.
2006-08-25 17:50:04 · 12 answers · asked by itsme! 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Kneeling before entering a pew is called genuflecting. I am not sure about the rest. I am a bit embarrassed, I was raised Catholic.
Blessings )O(
This may help...
http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm
2006-08-25 17:55:47 · answer #1 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here's what you say starting at the forhead
"In the name of the Father"
Then over the heart
"and of the son"
then touch both shoulders starting on the left
"and of the Holy Spirit."
It is an ancient thing and we used to say it in Latin. It comes from scripture. Pray in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.
That is why we always start that way. Also that is why you see athletes do that before the game they are basically dedicating their performance to God. So if they gain Glory it is in His name.
The Hail Mary is called a prayer but in today's language I think it actually should be called an address or a prayer request.
2006-08-26 00:58:41 · answer #2 · answered by Makemeaspark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hail mary is a prayer
Hail mary full of grace the lord is with thee...
so on and so forth, crossing yourself is crossing yourself, the thumb kiss is Mexican and comes from the tradition of kissing your rosary after prayer. The thing you are talking about is called crossing yourself simply. Both are very catholic and I think blessing or crossing yourself is something that is good and tradition wise I wish it wasn't shunned so by the protestant community (dont know why, I am not even christian anymore) Well hope that answered your question
2006-08-26 00:57:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As one who grew up as a Catholic, when people cross themselves, they are invoking the name of the father (the forehead), the son (the heart) and the holy spirit (the Catholics from left to right on both shoulders, the Greek Orthodoxs from right to left on both shoulders). And then what you see as the thumb kissing, is actually making a cross with your index and your thumb and kissing the cross.
Hail Mary is a prayer to the Virgin Mary that comes before and after the crossing. Actually you cross yourself before and after a prayer, before and after confession, when you enter a Catholic church and pour some Holy Water from a small fountain usually at the door and cross yourself.
2006-08-26 00:58:43 · answer #4 · answered by imagineworldwide 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's called making the sign of the cross. The "Hail Mary" is a prayer.
2006-08-26 00:53:49 · answer #5 · answered by Banba 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's the sign of the cross. The Hail Mary is an actual prayer (although Catholics call it a prayer, they will also claim they are not praying to Mary. Go figure.)
The Hail Mary is also a desperate pass in football.
2006-08-26 00:55:52 · answer #6 · answered by lenny 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sign of the cross.
Many people kiss their thumbs in a gesture to signify kissing the crucifix or kissing Jesus. It is a gesture of love and respect.
The hail mary is a separate prayer.
Hail Mary full of grace, blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Spamandham : "Catholics will claim they are not praying to Mary?" Why don't you come back online when you sober up. Better yet, stay there in your safe, insulated, stupor.
2006-08-26 01:05:54 · answer #7 · answered by mariachinieve 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is called the Sign of the cross. You are praying in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit. I don't know about kissing your thumbs though?
2006-08-26 00:53:58 · answer #8 · answered by Ricky 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its called doing the sign of the cross and it is done by mostly Roman Catholic believers in the Christian faith. It is supposed to signify that they believe in the cross of Jesus Christ and the fact that he has died for the sins of all of mankind. There is actually, no real power in the action of doing the sign of the cross, but there is much power in the act of Jesus dying on the cross. And if you understand this great act, and believe in it in your heart, then God will smile upon you, for acknowledging this !
2006-08-26 00:53:46 · answer #9 · answered by Catt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i usually sees people kiss a necklace of cross, not their thumb
...ya?
2006-08-26 00:56:40 · answer #10 · answered by Henry W 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋