How to pray the Sign of the Cross?

Anonymous · Guest

Could someone explain the correct way to make the sign of the cross?

I read that the thumb and 1st 2 fingers should be touching each other while the ring and pinkie finger should point away from the body (tucked in towards the hand)and from the forehead to the solar plexus to the left and right shoulders.

In our church, I noticed that no one did it that way. I saw whole hands used for the most part, I saw fists, two fingered and other different ways.

I also noticed that some did it while genuflecting and some didn't. Which is correct? What is the significance of any of this?

Anonymous · Guest

For Americans, there really is no correct posture. There are several different ways that I have seen, but Americans just kind of do it how they want. I see most people do it with a cupped hand, or the whole hand. I have also noticed that the points are different. Some people make a big cross and others make a small one.

The one constant I have seen in it all: Up - In the name of the Father, Down - and of the Son, Left - and of the Holy, Right - Spirit.

Anonymous · Guest

The Greek Orthodox does it with the thumb and 1st 2 fingers together to symbolize the Holy Trinity, and the other two fingers curled into the hand to symbolize the dual natures of Christ. They also finish the cross right to left rather than left to right.

Anonymous · Guest

The way I learned it and have always done it since is simply using my whole hand. I never learned a special finger position. When I am at the Holy Water Font, I will dip the three longest fingers, maybe to the first knuckle. When going into the pew I will genuflect while making the sign of the cross.

I have noticed people making the cross with the three fingers as was said. I was told this is an Italian and Spanish/Hispanic custom and they also kiss the thumb after making the sign of the cross. I am not sure why they kiss the thumb though.

PrayerGuy · Newbie Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 50 Status: **Offline**

To complete the Sign of the Cross, start by choosing a posture:

1.) Hold your index finger and middle finger of your right hand together. This signifies the two natures of Christ. Tuck your thumb slightly towards the palm of your hand. This is the most typical Western Catholic practice.

2.) Hold your thumb and index finger of your right hand together to signify the two natures of Christ

3.) Hold your thumb, index finger, middle finger of your right hand together. This signifies the Trinity. Tuck the ring finger and pinky finger toward your palm. This signifies the dual natures of Christ. This is the typically Eastern Catholic practice.

4.) Hold your right hand open with all 5 fingers together and very slightly curved, and thumb slightly tucked into palm. This is in rememberance of the five wounds of Christ.

Then:

Touch your forehead as you say "In nomine Patris" (Latin) or "In the name of the Father" (English) or the translation for whatever language you speak.

Touch the breastbone or top of the belly as you say "et Filii" (Latin) or "and of the Son" (English) or the translation for whatever language you speak.

Touch the left shoulder, then right shoulder, as you say "et Spiritus Sancti" (Latin) or "and of the Holy Ghost" in most modern cases it is more acceptable to say "and of the Holy Spirit" (English) or the translation for whatever language you speak.

Some people end the Sign by crossing the thumb over the index finger to make a cross, and then kissing the thumb as a way of "kissing the Cross."

An optional prayer to pray after signing yourself in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is this one, said to be favored by St. Benedict:

By the Sign of the Cross, deliver me from my enemies, O Lord.


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