Sign
of the Cross
The Sign of the Cross is the public or private act of
tracing an image of the cross on persons or things. Tertullian
(160-225) attests to the use of this gesture as a way for Christians to
sanctify daily life. “In all our travels and movements", says
Tertullian (De cor. Mil., iii), "in all our coming in and going out, in
putting of our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our
candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupieth
us, we mark our foreheads with the sign of the cross.” Soon the
personal gesture was extended to Baptism and Eucharist, and then to
other liturgical blessings of persons and objects. In early times the
cross was drawn on the forehead with the right thumb. Later, in the
Roman rite, it was made by drawing the right hand from forehead to
breast, then from left shoulder to right shoulder. The cruciform sign
professes one’s belief in human redemption through Jesus Christ’s death
on the cross. The pronunciation of the names of the Three Divine
Persons professes belief in the Holy Trinity. |
