From the Director of Faith Formation

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen

How many times in our life do you think each of us have said this prayer? Do we even think of it as a prayer? This is most likely the first formal prayer we learned as children, so most of us may not even remember not knowing it.

Calling on the Sign of the Cross has been one of the most common and powerful prayers since the early days of Christianity. The theologian Tertullian (c. AD160-225) is quoted as saying this about the Sign of the Cross:
"In all our travels and movements, in all our coming in and going out, in putting on our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupies us, we mark our foreheads with the Sign of the Cross."

There were two main reasons that the early Christians signed themselves and those are the same reasons we should continue the practice today.

1. We are expressing our desire to be set apart from the corrupt ways of the world. It is a great reminder to us that we belong to God and we should always strive to do His will. We should never be ashamed to make the sign in public places, as we are also sharing our Faith with those around us.

2. When we sign ourselves with the cross, we are invoking God’s protection for our lives. In the Sign of the Cross, we ask Him to guard us from all harm and evil.

When we add the Power of God’s name, this sign has even more meaning and strength for us. In Scripture, “a name is not merely a conventional way of referring to a particular person, A name mysteriously represents the essence of a person and carries the power of that person”, according to theologian Edward Sri. This means that when we call on the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are bringing about the presence of each person of the Trinity as well as the combined power of all Three.

I will end with this quote from St. John Chrysostom, who truly understood the power of the cross:
"Never leave your house without making The Sign of the Cross. It will be to you a staff, a weapon, an impregnable fortress. Neither man nor demon will dare to attack you, seeing you covered with such powerful armor. Let this sign teach you that you are a soldier, ready to combat against the demons, and ready to fight for the crown of justice. Are you ignorant of what the cross has done? It has vanquished death, destroyed sin, emptied hell, dethroned Satan, and restored the universe. Would you then doubt its power?”

May God Bless you in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Jackie Rosalez, Director of Faith Formation.