What is the significance in making the sign of the cross before prayer in Catholicism?

Question

Is it kind of like stretching out? A warm-up perhaps?

Answer 1

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 prayer of 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 2

The sign of the cross is a very ancient practice and prayer. We don't have any indication of it in Scripture, but St. Basil in the fourth century said that we learned the sign from the time of the apostles and that it was administered in baptisms. Some scholars interpret St. Paul's saying that he bears the marks of Christ on his body, in Galatians 6:17, as his referring to the sign of the cross.

The sign of the cross is: a confession of faith; a renewal of baptism; a mark of discipleship; an acceptance of suffering; a defense against the devil; and a victory over self-indulgence.

When you make the sign, you are professing a mini version of the creed -- you are professing your belief in the Father, and in the Son and in the Holy Spirit. When you say the words and pray in someone's name you are declaring their presence and coming into their presence -- that's how a name is used in Scripture.

Answer 3

The sign of the cross is a way of putting our minds in a prayerful setting. With the sign of the cross, one is asking God to accept the prayer in God's holy name.

Answer 4

Jesus told the apostles, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).

When Catholics are baptized, "the sign of the cross, on the threshold of the celebration, marks with the imprint of Christ the one who is going to belong to him and signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross" (CCC 1235).

Thereafter, each time we make the sign of the cross, it strengthens us as we remember that we belong to Christ. The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the sign of the cross: ‘in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.’ The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior’s grace, which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties.

Answer 5

It is an affirmation of the Holy Trinity. We do this to bless ourselves or ask God's blessing on ourselves. You will sometimes hear very old, or very old-fashioned, people mumble "This and all we do" before saying more loudly "In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

We cross (bless) ourselves with Holy Water to reaffirm our Baptismal vows.

Answer 6

It is a simple matter of love and gratitude to God and also to address our prayers to the Holy Trinity,does this really bother you?

Answer 7

Yes, a warm up, kind of like a practice swing in baseball, or golf

Wait... they do it after too, right ?

Answer 8

Yeah, it's a warm-up so that they can be ready to start 'firing' up with passion.

Answer 9

Mr. Willis,
I suppose that tradition carries a lot of weight with RC's. It seems to drive them. I know by reading the Bible, that God doesn't need any kind of ritual to know that I am thinking about Him, or directing a prayer to Him. I suppose that I wouldn't be a very good RC! lol

Answer 10

It means you are a superchristian, it's like a gang sign to let the devil know you're representin foo' and to not be set trippin round hea' cause you get sum holy sizyrup in yo eye, skeet skeet.