“Let all who come be received as Christ”
This ancient Christian action recalls the Trinity, Christ’s saving Cross and our baptismal identity.
To trace the Cross upon the body is to profess faith with more than words. The gesture gathers mind and body into prayer, identifies us with the crucified and risen Christ and recalls the name into which we were baptised.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Open each card for fuller teaching, a practical response and a short prayer.
The accompanying words confess one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. — Matthew 28.19
The Sign of the Cross is not a lucky charm. It places prayer within the life of the Holy Trinity and the saving work of Christ.
Make the gesture deliberately while attending to each divine Person named.
Holy Trinity, draw me into your life of perfect love.
The Cross recalls the name and life received in Baptism.
All of us who have been baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death. — Romans 6.3
Early Christians were signed with the Cross, and the gesture remains central in Baptism and Confirmation. It declares that we belong to Christ.
Use the holy water on entering church and remember your call to die to sin and rise with Christ.
Jesus, renew my Baptism and keep me faithful to the life you have given.
Before the Gospel, three small crosses ask that Christ’s word fill thought, speech and desire.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you. — Psalm 19.14
Using the thumb, the faithful mark forehead, lips and chest: may the Gospel be understood, proclaimed and deeply believed.
Make each small cross slowly and ask where the coming Gospel may challenge your thinking, speaking and loving.
Lord, be in my mind, on my lips and in my heart.
The gesture can mark the beginning and end of prayer and the thresholds of daily life.
Whatever you do, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. — Colossians 3.17
Christians have used the Cross upon waking, before sleep, at meals, during travel and in anxiety. It recollects the heart without requiring many words.
Begin morning and evening prayer with the Sign of the Cross. Avoid hurried or self-conscious gestures.
Lord Jesus, claim every part of this day for your loving purpose.
The Cross proclaims that suffering and evil do not have the final word.
May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Galatians 6.14
Writers such as Tertullian and Cyril of Jerusalem witness to Christians signing themselves frequently. The gesture encouraged faithfulness and reminded them whose victory they trusted.
In fear or temptation, make the Cross calmly and ask for courage to choose truth, safety and love.
Crucified and risen Lord, be my salvation, my life and my freedom.
With the right hand, touch forehead, breast, left shoulder and right shoulder in the Western tradition, praying the Trinitarian words.
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