Making the Sign of the Cross

“Making the sign of the cross is a very meaningful and beautiful custom. Christians from the earliest centuries sealed themselves with the sign of the cross; they recognized each other in the making of the cross; they blessed themselves with the sign of the cross. It is a witness to others of our faith. It is a prayer since prayer is not just of the mind, but also of the body. And it is a creed, that is, a statement of our beliefs. The three fingers joined together reveal that we believe in God the Father, who loves us; God the Son, who saves us; and God the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies us. Together, they affirm our faith in the Holy Trinity, not three gods, but One. The other two fingers symbolize Jesus Christ, both divine and human in nature, and placed in the palm show that He came down from heaven for our salvation. Making the sign of the cross reminds us of the commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Deut. 6:5) When we touch our forehead, we offer Him all our mind; then all our heart and soul when we touch our chest; and then we touch our right, then left shoulder, offering all our strength.”

~Father Milton Gianulis (via thenfacetoface)