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Learn the right way to cross yourself in any Christian tradition
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Crossing oneself is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. It is used to begin and end prayers and ceremonies, as well as occasionally as a stand-alone practice of asking God to bless oneself. We’re here with everything you need to know about crossing yourself, including tips from Catholic priest Father Scott Bailey.
How do you cross yourself?
- Touch the fingertips of your right hand to your forehead.
- As you do this, say, “In the name of the Father…”
- Touch the center of your chest and say, “...and of the Son…”
- Touch the front of your left shoulder and say, “...and of the Holy…”
- Touch the front of your right shoulder and say, “...Spirit.”
- Say, “Amen.”
Steps
Section 1 of 5:
Western Tradition
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Follow this tradition in Latin Rite and Protestant churches. This method is most common in the Western Catholic Church. It may also be performed in Protestant traditions that support the sign of the cross, including most Anglican and Lutheran churches. [1] X Research source
- For instance, you might perform the Western sign of the cross if you attend a Tridentine Mass .
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Lift your right hand with your fingers open or first two fingers together. Many worshippers make the sign of the cross with an open hand, their five fingers reminding them of the five wounds of Christ. Others raise the index and middle fingers together, symbolizing Christ's divine and human natures [2] X Research source The thumb is often bent to touch the ring finger in the two-finger position.
- Many other hand shapes are also in use. There is no requirement to make a specific hand shape, but most leaders encourage you to follow your congregation's tradition unless you derive a spiritual benefit from another form.
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Touch the fingertips of your right hand to your forehead. The sign of the cross is made in many contexts, both privately and in church. At the start of worship or when blessing yourself outside of church, it is usually accompanied by an invocation of the Holy Trinity. [3] X Research source If you’re uncomfortable saying the prayer out loud, it’s okay to just recite it in your head.- If the service is in English, say: “In the name of the Father…”
- If the service is in Latin, say: "In nomine Patris..."
EXPERT TIPCatholic PriestFather Scott Bailey is a Catholic Priest based in Denver, Colorado. He currently serves as a Pastor at Risen Christ Catholic Parish in Denver. Father Scott is the face of Risen Christ’s YouTube channel, where he creates a variety of engaging content explaining aspects of Catholicism. He is known for his brief but meaningful sermons, and for making Catholic teaching and spirituality accessible to all. He has a Masters of Divinity from St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, an S.T.B. from the Lateran University, and a BA in philosophy from Regis University.In the Catholic tradition, the sign of the cross is a form of prayer. As we make the sign of the cross, we say, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” which symbolizes our belief in the Trinity.
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Touch the center of your chest. Bring your hand down to your sternum. Some people place their left hand on their breast during the sign, and touch the right hand a little higher than it. [4] X Research source
- If the service is in English, say: “...and of the Son…”
- If the service is in Latin, say: "...et Filii..."
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Touch the front of your left shoulder. According to Bailey, “Traditions differ slightly on which shoulder to touch first. Catholics typically start with the left shoulder.”
- If the service is in English, say: “...and of the Holy…”
- If the service is in Latin, say: "...et Spiritus..."
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Touch your right shoulder in roughly the same location. Bailey says after you touch your left shoulder, move your hand across your chest and touch your right shoulder.
- If the service is in English, say: “Spirit.”
- If the service is in Latin, say: "...Sancti."
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Say "Amen". Some people prefer to place their hands together when they say, “Amen.” However, if you prefer, you can just drop your hands instead.
- In many Latin countries, it is common to make the small cross with your thumb and kiss your thumb before saying Amen. In the Philippines, this gesture has evolved into simply touching the thumb to the chin.
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Bless yourself when entering a church. If you are part of the Latin Rite, it is traditional to bless yourself when you walk into a church. Dip your fingers in the font of holy water, then make the sign of the cross. You may use the large or the small cross.
- Many Catholics also bless themselves when walking past a church and after receiving communion.
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Section 2 of 5:
Eastern Tradition
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Hold your right thumb, index, and middle fingertips together. In Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, most people use the three-finger blessing. Your fingers represent the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity, brought together in the Godhead. [5] X Research source
- Tuck your index and pinky fingers fingers into the palm of your hand, representing the Two Natures of Jesus Christ (meaning He is fully human and fully divine).
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Touch your forehead, then the top of your stomach. Touch your fingertips to the center of your forehead, then bring your hand down to your solar plexus. Some people place it on their chest instead, as in the Western tradition. [6] X Research source
- In the Orthodox tradition, some people are concerned that touching your chest makes an inverted cross, with a short lower end.
- Instead of touching your chest or stomach, you can bring your hand all the way to touch the ground. This is sometimes used during the Great Fast of Easter, or in times of great trial.
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Cross yourself from right to left. Bailey says that unlike the Catholic tradition, “Eastern Orthodox Christians typically go from their right shoulder to their left.” This is a tradition from many centuries ago, and was once shared by the Western church. [7] X Research source
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Recite a blessing as you make the cross. There are many ways to do this. Here are two examples, separated with slashes to mark where you move your hand:
- "Lord / Jesus Christ / Son of God / have mercy on us." [8] X Research source
- “My hope is the Father. / My refuge is the Son. / My protection is the Holy Spirit. / Holy Trinity Glory to Thee.”
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI can't kneel for confession. What do I do?Community AnswerIf you literally CAN'T kneel, but still confess, God will understand.
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QuestionWhy do many Catholics kiss their fingers after making the sign of the cross?Community AnswerWhen we make the Sign of the Cross, we form our fingers in one of several ways to form some aspect of the Holy Trinity or of Christ and His five wounds (if we use all five fingers). In essence, to kiss our fingers afterward is to render a kiss to God.
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QuestionIs it okay to make the sign of the cross during recessions and processions, or anytime the crucifix passes by?Leo BoivinCommunity AnswerEven though there are times when the sign of the cross is mandatory, there are no particular moments when it is not proper.
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Tips
- Oriental Orthodox churches typically make the sign from left to right, as in the Western tradition, but sometimes use the Eastern hand shape or their own traditions (such as one finger to symbolize Christ's one nature). This also applies to the Eastern Catholic churches from the same countries — that is, in the Alexandrian, Armenian, and Syrian Rites.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/sign-of-the-cross
- ↑ http://www.britannica.com/topic/sign-of-the-cross www.britannica.com/topic/sign-of-the-cross
- ↑ https://anglicancompass.com/the-sign-of-the-cross/
- ↑ https://anglicancompass.com/the-sign-of-the-cross/
- ↑ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13785a.htm
- ↑ https://www.kencollins.com/instructions/how-01.htm
- ↑ https://www.saintjohnchurch.org/how-to-make-the-sign-of-the-cross/
- ↑ https://orthodoxwiki.org/Sign_of_the_Cross
- ↑ https://anglicancompass.com/the-sign-of-the-cross/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To cross yourself following the Western tradition, lift your right hand and bring it to your forehead. Then touch the center of your chest. Reach over to touch your left shoulder and then back to your right shoulder. For churches in the Eastern tradition, start by touching your forehead and chest in the same way. Then touch your right shoulder before the left. To finish making the sign of the cross, place your hands together, and say, “Amen.” If you want to learn what prayers to say while you're crossing yourself, keep reading the article!
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