The cross is the central symbol for Christians, not only as the instrument of the world's salvation by the crucified Christ, but also as the constant witness to the fact -- that men cannot be Christians unless they live with the cross as the very content of their lives in this world. "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow he" (Mk 8:34).

How to make the Sign of the Cross

For these reasons Christians place upon themselves the sign of the cross. Usually, Catholics place their first two fingers and thumb of their right hand together to form a sign of the Triune God, while tucking the ring finger and pinky finger toward your palm (they point downwards, signifying the two natures of Christ when He came down from heaven into the world – Divine and Human).  

You begin by:

1. touching the forehead,

2. bringing the hand down to the "heart",

3. touching the left shoulder,

4. and then bringing the hand across the chest to the right shoulder.

In one fluid action you will trace the sign of the Cross upon yourself.

This unique and all-embracing symbol shows that the cross is the inspiration, power and indeed the very content of our lives as Christians; and that man's mind, heart and strength must be given to the love of God and man.

When to make the Sign of the Cross

The sign of the Cross can be made at almost any time. It is usually made either in response to it being traced over us, in blessing by a priest, or at particularly significant points in worship and prayer.

     •  Most Catholics make the sign of the cross when they begin and end a prayer

Facts about the Sign of the Cross

With the Sign of the Cross we recall in particular the blessing of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We trace a cross on ourselves, the cross of Jesus. His death on the Cross was an outpouring of love for us. The Sign of the Cross is a reminder of his love, a love found not only in the past, but here and now, as we make this sign upon ourselves; for the love of Jesus Christ abides forever.

The Sign of the Cross is a wonderful daily expression of our relationship with God. God is the One who blesses. This prayer reminds us that each day, in good times and bad, in danger and sorrow, God's care and blessings are never far from us.

Tracing this holy sign on our forehead, our hearts and our shoulders, we remember we are blessed in mind and heart and all our being. We can approach God with confidence through Jesus Christ whose ever present love this holy sign recalls. "Come to me," God says through this prayer, "do not be afraid. Before you take one step, I reach to embrace you with blessings in my hands."

Church Fathers on the Sign of the Cross:

The early Church Fathers attested to the use of the sign of the cross. Tertullian (d. ca. 250) described the commonness of 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" (De corona, 30).

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (d. 386) in his Catechetical Lectures stated, "Let us then not be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the cross our seal, made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in everything; over the bread we eat and the cups we drink, in our comings and in our goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are traveling, and when we are at rest" (Catecheses, 13).

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