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Sign Of The Cross"Make disciples of all nations,
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Just as customary with all Catholic Prayers, the Rosary begins and ends with the Sign of the Cross. It is a Catholic custom to begin and end prayers with the Sign of the Cross. To express faith
in the Blessed Trinity and in the Redemption is why Catholics start their prayers
with the Sign of the Cross.
This practice dates back to the early Christians who would make this sign to show they were Christians. It developed throughout the centuries and there are many proofs that the early Church Fathers taught and encouraged this practice.
The Blessed Trinity - There is only one God, but in God there are three Divine Persons. This Triune God is called the Blessed Trinity. The three persons are...At Lourdes, Mary very slowly and reverently made the Sign of the Cross when praying the Rosary with St. Bernadette.They are one and the same God in three Divine Persons. They are distinct yet completely equal. Jesus Himself revealed this truth in the Holy Gospels.
- God the Father - the Creator
- God the Son - the Redeemer, Jesus Christ
- And God the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost - the Sanctifier
The Redemption - The Redemption, in a nutshell, refers to Jesus' death on the cross which was the perfect sacrifice to God the Father that made humankind heirs of heaven. The Redemption satisfied for all sin. Learn more...
There is a physical action of the body made while the words are pronounced that symbolizes belief in the Blessed Trinity and the Redemption.
When you say "In the name," in the singular you are stating that there is only one God. When saying, "of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," you are proclaiming that there are three Persons in God.
You will have made the outline of the cross on your upper body. This physical motion of the Sign of the Cross serves as a reminder that Jesus died on the cross to redeem humankind and you personally.
To make the sign of the cross make this movement...
- With your right hand touch your three fingers held close to one another (symbolizing the three Divine Persons) to your forehead, while saying the words, "In the name of the Father,"
- Next move your three fingers to the center of your chest near the breast bone saying, "and of the Son,"
- Then reach your three fingers across your chest to your left shoulder, say the words, "and of the Holy,"
- Move back across your chest then touch your same right hand to your right shoulder while saying, "Spirit."
- Fold your hands together in prayer as you say, "Amen."
She did this as a reminder that the Sign of the Cross is a profession of faith in the Blessed Trinity and should be done with care and reverence.
Resist the temptation to make the Sign of the Cross hastily. Do it reverently and think of the how Jesus died for your sins and how you too will join Him one day in heaven.
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Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou, in Thy great goodness, grant pardon to them who seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, world without end. Amen.
-From the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
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