Sign of the Cross

[sculpturegirl]

Tell me about the Lutheran "sign of the cross." I have found myself wanting to do it, but it feels so Catholic. (I come from a long background of anti-catholic relatives, even though I don't feel that way.) I see some people at church doing it, but not many. When is it an appropriate time to do it. Is it left then right or right then left. What is the purpose?

A New Lutheran,
Sarah

[Jim47]

Tell me about the Lutheran "sign of the cross." I have found myself wanting to do it, but it feels so Catholic. (I come from a long background of anti-catholic relatives, even though I don't feel that way.) I see some people at church doing it, but not many. When is it an appropriate time to do it. Is it left then right or right then left. What is the purpose?

A New Lutheran,
Sarah

I understand what you say about it feeling Catholic. I have been a WELS Lutheran for nearly 50 years. Our Pastor always uses the sign of the cross when administering the benediction, however, the general membership has never used it during our service. I have always felt that it is best used by a Pastor when He blesses us, but these are just my personal thoughts. I see no reason why anyone should refrain from using it in worship private or public if they feel moved to do so.

Perhaps your personal association with the "Catholic feeling" is that Catholics will make the sign and then pray to Mary which of course we don't do.

[ByzantineDixie]

The sign of the cross is a tradition of the historic catholic church. Usually, where it is intended to be made is marked in the liturgy text, however, in addition, I will usually make the sign whenever the pastor or the laity say the words "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...."

If you are interested in bringing this practice to your worship (and I highly recommend it) I suggest starting at the rail after receiving the Sacrament. I have noticed this is where most Lutherans will sign. Once you are comfortable with that it becomes fairly easy to sign during the Invocation, Absolution, Benediction. I encourage you to start somewhere and expand the use of the sign as you are able.

How to make the sign of the cross? With Lutherans there is no "right way". Although, I once was teased that I made it the Roman Catholic way (which would make sense since I was brought up Roman Catholic). I have sinced changed my practice to that of the Eastern church. I make the sign of the cross with the thumb, pointer finger and middle finger extended (representing the Trinity) and the pinkie and ring finger pointed in (representing the two natures of Christ) and cross right to left.

If you decide to start making the sign of the cross during worship...let me know how it goes for you. I am interested in how you are able to begin...what is the most comfortable way.

Peace

Rose

[SPALATIN]

The sign of the cross is a tradition of the historic catholic church. Usually, where it is intended to be made is marked in the liturgy text, however, in addition, I will usually make the sign whenever the pastor or the laity say the words "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...."

If you are interested in bringing this practice to your worship (and I highly recommend it) I suggest starting at the rail after receiving the Sacrament. I have noticed this is where most Lutherans will sign. Once you are comfortable with that it becomes fairly easy to sign during the Invocation, Absolution, Benediction. I encourage you to start somewhere and expand the use of the sign as you are able.

How to make the sign of the cross? With Lutherans there is no "right way". Although, I once was teased that I made it the Roman Catholic way (which would make sense since I was brought up Roman Catholic). I have sinced changed my practice to that of the Eastern church. I make the sign of the cross with the thumb, pointer finger and middle finger extended (representing the Trinity) and the pinkie and ring finger pointed in (representing the two natures of Christ) and cross right to left.

If you decide to start making the sign of the cross during worship...let me know how it goes for you. I am interested in how you are able to begin...what is the most comfortable way.

Peace

Rose

I have done it at communion a few times now and it is getting easier though I probably do it the Catholic way which is not to me a big deal. I think it is easier to remember left to right since that is how westerners read as well.

[Qoheleth]

Perhaps your personal association with the "Catholic feeling" is that Catholics will make the sign and then pray to Mary which of course we don't do.

Actually Catholics sign themselves before any prayer, not just before a prayer (and at other times) to Mary.



"In the morning, when you rise, make the sign of the cross and say, "?In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.?" [Small Catechism, Luther's Morning & Evening Prayers]





During the Mass, our congregation makes the sign of the cross at every mention of the Blessed Trinity, before receiving communion at the altar and a few other occasions. We also bow at every mention of Jesus' name.

[pastel]

Very few in our congregation do the sign of the cross, and so therefore, I never felt compelled to do it. I appreciate it as a good tradition, but was never taught, nor raised, to do it, since all of the churches previous never used the practice. It is good that some keep this in use, and perhaps it is a bit of a shame more do not do it. :crossrc:

However, most of us do genuflect (sp?) before kneeling at the altar for the communion. I have always done this, and yet hubby (who was raised Lutheran) doesn't do it. :crosseo:

[CrossWiseMag]

I started doing this about a year ago, and I love it! Just do it a few times -- get over your self-consciousness about it -- and I almost guarantee you'll learn to love it, too. Each time I make the sign of the cross, it brings to mind the sign of the cross made on me in baptism. It reminds me that I am God's child.

My pastor's wife does it, but she was raised Roman Catholic. Before her, I had never even heard of Lutherans making the sign of the cross -- let alone seen it done. Now I notice 3 or 4 others doing it. And I think my son is starting to pick it up. It's definitely not necessary -- but there's nothing wrong with it, and if you can get over the self-conscious feeling, I think you'll grow to love it.

The "blue hymnal" (LW) includes a little cross sign at the places in the liturgy where the sign is appropriate. One of those places, in addition to the ones mentioned above, is at the end of the creed, when we confess "the resurrection of the body." The sign of the cross here reminds us that our bodies are redeemed by Christ through our baptisms. :)

[pastel]

The "blue hymnal" (LW) includes a little cross sign at the places in the liturgy where the sign is appropriate. One of those places, in addition to the ones mentioned above, is at the end of the creed, when we confess "the resurrection of the body." The sign of the cross here reminds us that our bodies are redeemed by Christ through our baptisms. :)

So that is what those are there for!! Makes sense ....(I'm so **duh** ....slow to pick things up like this.) :blush:

[CEV]

I've been thinking of taking up the practice, but the only way I'd do it is if everyone else was too. I'm soooo self conscious about stuff like that.

The Eastern Orthodox way of doing it sounds like the best way...

[pastel]

I've been thinking of taking up the practice, but the only way I'd do it is if everyone else was too. I'm soooo self conscious about stuff like that.

The Eastern Orthodox way of doing it sounds like the best way...

How do the Eastern Orthodox do it? May I ask? Just curious, I know little about them. :confused:

[Jim47]

During the Mass, our congregation makes the sign of the cross at every mention of the Blessed Trinity, before receiving communion at the altar and a few other occasions. We also bow at every mention of Jesus' name.



That is indeed a very nice practice. I wished we did more in that area. I may be wrong, but one of the perceptions I have always had, is that there are too many people who go to church only out of fear of damnation and falling away from faith. To me one of the most important things is simply to worship and praise God as a body of fellow believers.

[Kripost]

How do the Eastern Orthodox do it? May I ask? Just curious, I know little about them. :confused:

To make the sign of the cross the Eastern Orthodox way:
1) Place the thumb, index finger and middles such that they are joined together. This symbolizes the Holy Trinity.
2) The ring finger and the little finger are together and bends to touch the palm of the hand. This symbolizes the Incarnation(dual natures), and having the fingers touching the palm symbolizes the God-Man comming down to earth.
3) The hand starts from touching the forehead, signifying God is in our mind.
4) The hand moves down to the breast or below the sternum, signifying God is in our heart.
5) The hand moves to the right shoulder, and then to the left shoulder, signifying that we dedicate our strength to God. I can't rememeber the reason for moving from right to left, though...

Personally I prefer this method.

[sculpturegirl]

Why do Catholics do it differently?

[Qoheleth]

I can't rememeber the reason for moving from right to left, though...

If Im not mistaken, it is done to mirror the priest in motion. This is how we do it at Zion also--right to left.

[KagomeShuko]

When I make the sign of the cross, I tend to move up, down, my left, and then to my right, and back to the center. I'm sure that some of my habit of it comes from acolyting, being that the first candle we are supposed to traditionally light if it is not advent and not a Sunday when the Christ candle is lit, is the candle on the altar on our left side because this is "the right hand of God." To me, it seems it would be the same when crossing oneself.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[pastel]

When I make the sign of the cross, I tend to move up, down, my left, and then to my right, and back to the center. I'm sure that some of my habit of it comes from acolyting, being that the first candle we are supposed to traditionally light if it is not advent and not a Sunday when the Christ candle is lit, is the candle on the altar on our left side because this is "the right hand of God." To me, it seems it would be the same when crossing oneself.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

I'm sure it doesn't matter. It seems I have personally seen it from right to left the most. My grandmother was Catholic, and Hubby's aunt was too. The aunt was most positive it "should" be done from right to left. Well, what do they know? I suppose it should be done in a manner with a reason, and to mean something. :crossrc:

[KagomeShuko]

I'm sure it doesn't matter. It seems I have personally seen it from right to left the most. My grandmother was Catholic, and Hubby's aunt was too. The aunt was most positive it "should" be done from right to left. Well, what do they know? I suppose it should be done in a manner with a reason, and to mean something. :crossrc:
I agree!

I do it in the manner exactly as that little face is doing it :)

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[pastel]

I agree!

I do it in the manner exactly as that little face is doing it :)

Stein Auf!
Bridget

Well, see, that's another reason! ;)