WHY DO CATHOLICS MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

A question from a teen "out west":

Why do Catholics make the sign of the cross?

Answer:

The short answer is to identify ourselves as Christians and to mark ourselves for Christ. The sign of the cross is not just a "physical" something that we do, it is also a prayer. And it is not just "any" prayer. It is a prayer of great power. Making the sign of the Cross has the power to repel Satan and his demons. It is a prayer of protection and safety and it is a prayer that reminds us of Christ's sacrifice for us. When we sign ourselves with the cross, we should recall the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

Also, the sign of the cross goes all the way back to the early Church. It is a 2000 year old tradition of Christians.

In the second century,Tertullian wrote, "In all our travels and movements, in all our coming in and going out, in putting on our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupies us, we mark our forehead with the sign of the cross.

Several years later, Cyril of Jerusalem repeated the message of Tertullian as he told the Church: "Let us not be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Let the cross, as our seal, be boldly made with our fingers upon our brow and on all occasions over the bread we eat, over the cups we drink, in our comings and in our goings, before sleep, on lying down and rising up, when we are on the way and when we are still."

And even later still in the 4th Century, John Chrysostom, bishop of Constantinople, encouraged his flock with these words of Christian wisdom, "When, therefore, you sign yourself, think of the purpose of the cross, and quench any anger and all other passions. Consider the price that has been paid for you."

To make a long story short. Catholics make the sign of the cross because that is what Christians have always done.

until next time....
Pete