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Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
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The Sign of the Cross
The sign of the cross summarizes two of the principal truths of our Catholic faith - the Trinity and the Redemption. It is striking that this simple sign, the shortest and most easily learned prayer, is the expression of the deepest truth God has made known to us, the Holy Trinity. Saints and scholars have tried in vain to fathom this mystery, yet the simplest peasant can honor that Holy Trinity with the expressive, simple sign of the cross.
1. The small sign of the cross is made by signing a small cross with the thumb of the right hand on the forehead, the mouth and the breast, saying:
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." We sign the forehead to honor the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, because the forehead is the first and principal part of the human body.
We sign the mouth to honor the second Person, the eternal Word of the Father, who is begotten by the Father.
Lastly we sign the breast or heart to honor the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, the Spirit of love who proceeds from the Father and the Son. The breast is the seat of love.
We use the expression "in the name" and not "in the names" to profess our belief in the unity of God, namely, that God has only one essence or nature. At the same time we mention the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to show that in the Godhead there are three persons, each of whom is truly God.
As often as we make this holy sign we profess our faith in the mystery of the Holy Trinity. We also show that we believe in the Redemption.
The sign of the cross reminds us of the wooden cross on which Christ died for us. We make three small crosses to show that the Redemption is the work of all Three Persons.
2. There is another reason for signing ourselves on the forehead, mouth and breast. When we sign ourselves on the forehead we show that we want to understand the Word of God. When we make it upon the lips we show that we want to profess and tell others about the Word of God. When we make that holy sign upon our breast or heart we show that we want to love and live the Word of God. You will notice the priest do that at the Gospel of the Mass. We should do the same.
3. The large cross is also called the Latin cross because it is used so much in the ceremonies of the Church, which are in Latin. This is made with the fingers touching the forehead, then the breast, then the left shoulder and finally the right shoulder, as we say the words:
"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
The meaning of the large or Latin cross is the same as that of the small one. We might note these thoughts. At the words, "In the name of the Father," we touch the forehead to show that the Father is the first person of the Godhead, the origin of the other two Persons. At the words, "and of the Son" we touch the breast or heart to show that the Son of God came down from heaven and became Man. Lastly, by touching the left and right shoulders saying "and of the Holy Spirit" we unite by the motion the two sides with each other, we show that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and from the Son as from one source.
In the early centuries the cross was made from the right to the left side to show that salvation passed from the Jews who were at the right side of the Lord, to the Gentiles who were at His left. Later the sign was made from the left, the weak side, the side of sin, to the right, the side of salvation. By the death of Christ on the cross we were carried from the left to the right.
"Amen" means "so be it." We thus affirm our faith in the Trinity and the Redemption.
4. Make the sign of the cross more frequently and fervently both in public and in private. The cross will give you power to overthrow pagan practices, and spiritual power to combat the devil.
We have many spiritual and physical needs. We meet many spiritual and physical dangers. Make the sign of the cross as often as possible. Experience its power. Make the cross devoutly, thoughtfully, lovingly upon yourself. Here is a source of strength and protection for soul and body. Use it often.
© 2004 – Victor R. Claveau
Part or all of this article may be reproduced without obtaining permission as long as the author is cited.
The apostle Andrew was martyred. He died nailed to a cross. His desire to be identified with Christ was so great that, when he was being led toward the place of his martyrdom and saw his own cross in the distance, he cried:
"O good Cross, made beautiful by the body of the Lord:
long have I desired you, ardently have I loved you, unceasingly
have I sought you out; and now you are ready for my eager soul.
Receive me from among men and restore me to my Master,
so that he, who, by means of you, in dying redeemed me, may receive me. Amen