The Sign of the Cross

The Sign of the Cross is one of the Most Basic Prayers. 

Yes, I call it a prayer – because I use it often ( and am very sure most of you do) when I need God’s help and don’t have the most eloquent words to express it.  

Example: When I am driving and have just escaped something pretty unfortunate , or when I don’t know how to deal with a particular situation , it’s my quick 911 to God.

The Sign of the Cross is one of the most fundamental signs of us catholics- in it we proclaim our belief in the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son & God the Holy Spirit. 

We also show the world we are Christian. We wear our religion with pride. 

It is important to teach our children the proper way to make the Sign of the Cross, I do it as follows: 

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS: 

First you place your Left Hand on the Chest. 

In the name of the Father…

Start with the your right hand, and touch your head.  

When you touch your head you are also asking God to clean your mind from thoughts He does not want you  to have. Thoughts of sadness, thoughts of Anger, thoughts that “ I am not good enough, or, I am not special, or , I don’t like that boy or girl, “ etc. You also ask Him to clean your minds to listen to His Word better, to open your mind to understand and remember what you learn .

You say Our Father – because God is our Father. He made me. He lives in Heaven up above,  so move your hand to the highest part of your head, your forehead.

…and of the Son…

Next say “and of the Son.”

When you touch your chest you are also asking God to clean your heart from feelings He does not want you  to have. Feelings  of sadness, feelings of Anger, feelings of revenge

Jesus is Love and Love is felt in our hearts – He wants us to love everyone. So we need to ask Jesus to live in our Hearts. With Jesus in your heart, you can love everybody, especially those who make you sad.

…and of the Holy Spirit…

When you touch your shoulders you are also asking God to clean the work of your hands, be it your games, your fun activities, your studies etc.  You ask him to touch your hands when you do good to someone or something. Through your hands the whole will feel God’s love.

The Holy Spirit is God. God the Holy Spirit fills the world with Jesus’s love.

Amen

Amen  means “it is so.”  or "I agree" When you say “Amen” at the end of the Sign of the Cross—or any prayer—you agree with what was just said. This is a way of Praising God.

We distribute this hand-out in Class. Children are to colour these and stick it on their note books.

(For Parents) 

WHY MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS:  

Catholics, worldwide make the Sign of the Cross, millions of times through their livs. 

Why do we make the Sign of the Cross? 

The first, most simple reason is it a Prayer. It is a Prayer we say - when words fail us (example in times of an emergency - and i need a result - quick!!). It is a prayer to God and He knows exactly what we need. 

It is a public acknowledgement to the world that we are Christ's disciples. We tell the world we belong to Jesus.

We use it to protect our entire selves, our entire being. When we Sign ourselves with the Cross - the Devil is scared and stays away from us!. Our body has been protected by a very simple Cross. The Cross that gave us Victory over death and hell. 

When we are faced with a moment of temptation like  - anger building up etc. - all it takes is the Sign of the Cross (taken with faith) 

Whn taken with faith - the Sign of the Cross is very powerful and can protect us from many evils. 

Take faith- Be proud of being Catholic!!

Take the Sign of the Cross!

Amen!