For Catholics it is common to make the sign of the cross when praying...where did that come from?

Answer 1

References to it appear in writings dating back to 240 AD, and it is believed that it was in use during the earliest days of Christianity.

The Sign of the Cross is a prayer to remind us of our Baptism and is also primarily a blessing.

When we make the Sign of the Cross upon ourselves, we are also expressing our belief in God and the Trinity. Through it, we remind ourselves of God's love for us, of the sacrifice Jesus made to give us eternal life, and of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.

The Sign of the Cross also gives us a way to express our belief in Jesus' death and our hope in the Resurrection. We embrace the cross of Jesus and express our willingness to take up our own cross, all the while bursting with joyful hope in the Resurrection.

Answer 2

The use of the cross as a religious symbol in pre-Christian times and among non-Christian peoples may probably be regarded as almost universal, and in very many cases it was connected with some form of nature worship.”—Encyclopædia Britannica (1946), Vol. 6, p. 753.

“The shape of the [two-beamed cross] had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name) in that country and in adjacent lands, including Egypt.

“It is strange, yet unquestionably a fact, that in ages long before the birth of Christ, and since then in lands untouched by the teaching of the Church, the Cross has been used as a sacred symbol. . . . The Greek Bacchus, the Tyrian Tammuz, the Chaldean Bel, and the Norse Odin, were all symbolised to their votaries by a cruciform device.”—The Cross in Ritual, Architecture, and Art (London, 1900), G. S. Tyack, p. 1.

“The cross in the form of the ‘Crux Ansata’ . . . was carried in the hands of the Egyptian priests and Pontiff kings as the symbol of their authority as priests of the Sun god and was called ‘the Sign of Life.’”—The Worship of the Dead (London, 1904), Colonel J. Garnier, p. 226.


“These crosses were used as symbols of the Babylonian sun-god, [See book], and are first seen on a coin of Julius Cæsar, 100-44 B.C., and then on a coin struck by Cæsar’s heir (Augustus), 20 B.C. On the coins of Constantine the most frequent symbol is [See book]; but the same symbol is used without the surrounding circle, and with the four equal arms vertical and horizontal; and this was the symbol specially venerated as the ‘Solar Wheel’. It should be stated that Constantine was a sun-god worshipper, and would not enter the ‘Church’ till some quarter of a century after the legend of his having seen such a cross in the heavens.”—The Companion Bible, Appendix No. 162; see also The Non-Christian Cross, pp. 133-141.

Answer 3

It is a tradition dating back to early Christianity. One marks oneself with the sign of our faith- the Cross- while invoking the names of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When we use holy water while making the sign of the Cross, we are also recalling our baptism and the promise and mission is signifies.

You see, the Sign of the Cross is rich in symbolism!

Answer 4

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
- A Bible quote (Matthew 28:19)

In Latin: In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti, Amen.

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

It's OLD. The Greek Orthodox has a similar sign, only the crossbar move is reversed. Definitely pre-Constantine.

Answer 6

Yes it is common , it is a sign of the trinity . the father son and holy spirit . I'm not sure if they still teach it in cathicism or not .

Answer 7

double cross

Answer 8

it comes from the unity of our faith. mind body and spirit. = father son and holy ghost.

Answer 9

It's important to broadcast to all how religious you are. That's part of the show.

Answer 10

It just seems enormously more tasteful than the sign they would make had Jesus been hanged.