I have noticed that during the Sanctus prayer at mass, there will be a few Catholics (typically those that I would identify as being more “trad”) make the sign of the cross when “Benedictus” is sung. Is this supposed to be done (like when the priest says “have mercy on us” after the confiteor), or why do people do it?

Most Protestants (excluding a majority of Lutherans and Anglicans), don't cross themselves. What is the basis behind this?

Why does the laity (and sometimes the priest) cross themselves 3 time before the Gospel is read? Like holding hands during the Lord's Prayer, and unlike bowing at the mention of the Incarnation during the Creed, it's not something that is called out in any of the missals or Mass cards I've ever seen in the pews, but it seems to be a pretty common practice; at least in my diocese.

We read at Mtt 28:19: > 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. In the Sign of the Cross we take the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in that order. Jn 1:14 also says: "And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” That implies that the Son we refer to in the Sign of the Cross is the pre-incarnation person of the Trinity. If it meant Jesus, his name would have to be preceded by Holy Spirit by whose power he was born of Virgin Mary. My question therefore, is: **How does the Catholic Church explain the term “the Son” in the Sign of the Cross as well as in Mathew 28:19?**

It is an old tradition in Catholicism to make the sign of the cross when passing a Catholic church, as a sign of respect to the Eucharist contained in the tabernacle, located within the Church. I am wondering: 1. Do Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Church of the East also have tabernacles in their churches? 2. If they do, is it appropriate for a Catholic to make the sign of the cross when passing these churches?

Catholics make the sign of the cross by touching the forehead then the chest then lest side then the right then bringing two hands together. My question What is the history behind the tradition of making the sign of the cross? Why, when, and how did this tradition start?

Is there any Biblical prophecy mentioning that there will be a sign of the cross put in the sky? Either in the Old Testament or the Book of Revelation?

Every time we go to the church, we can make like multiple signs of the cross during the mass. Is it wrong if I make my sign of the cross by just speaking or with my mind other than doing it repeatedly with my hand?

I've been going to Catholic (Latin Rite) Mass my whole life and am constantly surprised by the different times that people will cross themselves during the Liturgy. I only do it when the Priest says the "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" (and I try to hang on to Holy....Spirit for as long as it takes for him to finish the sentence (not sure if that's necessary). And doing the three crosses before the Gospel is read (which wasn't certain is _in_ the rubrics but [asked about here](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/50229/why-do-catholic-laity-cross-themselves-three-times-before-the-gospel-is-read) and found it to be) I've seen people cross themselves during the Penitential Rite, the Kyrie, and at other times during the Eucharistic Prayer. And crossing themselves at a Mass with the Bishop when he comes down the aisle blessing everyone (regardless of whether he has holy water). Is that just how we _catch_ his blessing? People also cross themselves after receiving communion, but as a Catechist, I was taught this is not right, so I'm not asking about that. [see this question](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/36625/why-do-catholics-make-the-sign-of-the-cross-at-the-eucharist) I'll probably ask a follow up about crossing thyself during the Liturgy of the Hours, so no need to include that in the answer.

I was working in the bakery of a supermarket. One day, I was helping a customer with something. She wanted a pumpkin pie. It wasn't available on the floor. So, I went to the freezer and found a frozen pumpkin pie. But she said it was too small. She reported that the pumpkin pie was bigger, and it should be in a white box. I told her that the pie did come with a white box (white boxes were included in the box that stored all the pies in the freezer). I wasn't the person responsible for baking and handling pies, so I was kind of unfamiliar of the stuff; and the person who was responsible for it had gone home for the day. Besides, I couldn't find any larger pumpkin pie. That was the only pumpkin pie variety. Then, she turned her head to the side in frustration and made the sign of the cross. What is that supposed to mean? What I really want to know is this, how Christians (especially Christians of any denomination who make the sign of the cross) are educated about the sign of the cross, what it can do, and when it is used.

I know that no where in the Catholic Rite of Communion does it state that the communicant must make the sign of the cross after reception of the Eucharist in either species. So why is it that so many children are taught to do so in preparation of their First Eucharist?

The following is "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, October 1, 1907." I was under the impression that symbols (especially crosses) were not allowed in the church. "Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus was crucified on a stake, and that they reject the cross as a pagan symbol. No crosses are to be displayed in the worship hall, on a person, or in Jehovah's Witnesses' houses" (page 535 of AMG's Encyclopedia of World Religions, Cults, and the Occult). Question: What do the symbols in the top corners represent, and how are these symbols associated with Watchtower?

As a member of the Syrian Rite Catholic Church, I was taught to make a full Sign of the Cross while entering the church, while starting a long prayer etc. While the sign made is similar to the one made by the faithful at the commencement of the Gospel-reading in the Holy Mass (Latin rite), the prayer that accompanies the sign is different. It can be roughly translated as: " By the sign of the Holy Cross, save us from from our enemies, our Lord, in the name of the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit, Amen. " I wish to know if the said custom of making the Sign of Cross during which one makes cross-signs on one's forehead, lips, chest and shoulders, while reciting the prayer, was prevalent in the entire Catholic Church , and whether it was later substistuted with the smaller Sign of the Cross .

Among the Christians who make the sign of the cross cf. [this @fredsbend's answer ], is it known when and why Christians began to sign themselves with the Cross? The best answer will also include when imparting a blessing by tracing the sign of the cross also began and why. **My thinking:** *Blessing and crossing oneself are two different things. Example: say in an audience with the Pope there are many journalists attending of varied beliefs or of no belief at all. When the Pope imparts his blessing by tracing the sign of the cross, only those who cross themselves and who want to cross themselves will cross themselves. Meaning you can have one and not necessarily the other. My good guess perhaps it goes back to Christ himself or at least the Apostles.* *And also there can be a blessing without tracing the sign of the cross.*

With the normal sign of the cross you are supposed to say "In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit/Ghost" as you trace the cross on your body. The solemn sign of the cross is the triple cross which is made on the forehead, lips and chest. In Catholicism this happens before the priest reads the Gospel during every mass. As we make the solemn sign of the cross we say "Glory to you O lord" in the Novus Ordo (Ordinary Form) or "Gloria tibi Domine" in the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form), but that is not the prayer which is strictly associated with the motion itself. I'm wondering what words are supposed to be associated with the solemn sign of the cross, and if there are different words depending on your country? For example I've heard that the priest is supposed to pray silently to himself "May Christ's words be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart" as he makes the motion, and I've heard that the congregation is supposed to pray something like "I believe with my mind, confess with my mouth, and live out in my heart, the gospel". However I can't confirm this because google is giving me *nothing* and my memory is fuzzy.

Some Anglicans 'cross themselves' at various points of an Anglican church service. It is common practice for Roman Catholics. Is there in standard Roman Catholic or Anglican catachesis / instruction any guidance as to a 'correct' motion when crossing yourself:

• left-to-right or right-to-left, for example?
• the horizontal motion first, or the vertical?

This post is a counterpart to this question: Is it known when and why Christians began to sign themselves with the Cross? . Among the Christians who bless using the sign of the cross, is it known when and why imparting a blessing by tracing the cross over the ones being blessed began? **My thinking:** *Blessing and crossing oneself are two different things. Example: say in an audience with the Pope there are many journalists are attending of varied beliefs or of no belief at all. When the Pope imparts his blessing by tracing the sign of the cross, only those who cross themselves and who want to cross themselves will cross themselves. Meaning you can have one and not necessarily the other. My good guess perhaps it goes back to Christ himself or at least the Apostles.* *And also there can be a blessing without tracing the sign of the cross.*