How to Cross Yourself

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Last Updated: April 16, 2024 Fact Checked

Crossing oneself is a common practice for Christians in liturgical churches, especially but not limited to the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican (Episcopal) churches. It is used to begin and end prayers and ceremonies, as well as occasionally as a stand-alone practice of asking God to bless oneself. Many Christians also make the sign of the cross when they hear the name of the Blessed Trinity.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Western Tradition

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Follow this tradition in Latin Rite and Protestant churches. This method is more common in the Western Catholic Church, and in Protestant traditions that support the sign of the cross, including most Anglican and Lutheran churches.^{[1]
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2
Lift your right hand. Many worshippers make the sign of the cross with an open hand, their five fingers reminding them of the five wounds of Christ. Others raise the index and middle fingers together, symbolizing Christ's divine and human natures.^{[2]
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Research source} The thumb is often bent to touch the ring finger in the two-finger position.
- Many other hand shapes are also in use. There is no requirement to make a specific hand shape, but most leaders encourage you to follow your congregation's tradition unless you derive a spiritual benefit from another form.
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3
Touch the fingertips of your right hand to your forehead. The sign of the cross is made in many contexts, both privately and in church. At the start of worship or when blessing yourself outside of church, it is usually accompanied by an invocation of the Holy Trinity. Begin "In the name of the Father..."^{[3]
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- Or in Latin: "In nomine Patris..."
4
Touch the center of your chest. Bring your hand down to your sternum. Say "and of the Son..." Some people place their left hand on their breast during the sign, and touch the right hand a little higher than it.^{[4]
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- Latin: "...et Filii..."
5
Touch the front of your left shoulder. Say "And of the Holy...
- Latin: "...et Spiritus..."
6
Touch your right shoulder in roughly the same location. Say "...Spirit."
- Latin: "...Sancti."
7
Say "Amen". You may place your hands together.
- In many Latin countries, it is common to make the small cross with your thumb (see below) and kiss it before saying Amen. In the Philippines, this gesture has evolved into simply touching the thumb to the chin.
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Learn the small cross. Some of the first Christians to bless themselves formed a cross with their thumb and index finger and placed it on their forehead.^{[5]
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Research source} Today, Roman Catholics make the sign with the same hand shape before the Gospel reading at Mass. Place the small cross first on your forehead, then on your lips, then on your breast.
- There are many interpretations for this blessing. One common one asks you to approach the Gospels with an open mind, confess them with your mouth, and safeguard it in your heart.
9
Bless yourself when entering a church. If you are part of the Latin Rite, it is traditional to bless yourself when you walk into a church. Dip your fingers in the font of holy water, then make the sign of the cross. You may use the large or the small cross.
- Many Catholics also bless themselves when walking past a church, and after receiving communion.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Eastern Tradition

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In Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches, most people use the three-finger blessing. Your fingers represent the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity, brought together in the Godhead. Tuck the other two fingers into the palm of your hand, representing the Two Natures of Jesus Christ (meaning He is fully human and fully divine).^{[6]
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Research source} This ancient practice likely dates back to the 400s.^{[7]
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2
Bring your hand from your forehead to the top of your stomach. First bring your hand to your forehead, then down to your solar plexus. Some people place it on their chest instead, as in the Western tradition, but others are concerned that this makes an inverted cross, with a short lower end. (The inverted cross traditionally symbolizes humility, but has been used by anti-Christian groups.^{[8]
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- You can instead bring your hand all the way to touch the ground. This is sometimes used during the Great Fast of Easter, or in times of great trial.^{[9]
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Unlike the Latin tradition, the Eastern cross starts at the right shoulder and ends on the left. This is a tradition from many centuries ago, and was once shared by the Western church.^{[10]
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Recite a blessing. There are many ways to do this. Here are two examples, separated with slashes to mark where you move your hand:
- "Lord / Jesus Christ / Son of God / have mercy on us."^{[11]
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- “My hope is the Father. / My refuge is the Son. / My protection is the Holy Spirit. / Holy Trinity Glory to Thee.”^{[12]
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Rosary Prayer

Rosary in English

Rosary in Latin

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I can't kneel for confession. What do I do?

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If you literally CAN'T kneel, but still confess, God will understand.

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Why do many Catholics kiss their fingers after making the sign of the cross?

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When we make the Sign of the Cross, we form our fingers in one of several ways to form some aspect of the Holy Trinity or of Christ and His five wounds (if we use all five fingers). In essence, to kiss our fingers afterward is to render a kiss to God.

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Is it okay to make the sign of the cross during recessions and processions, or anytime the crucifix passes by?

Leo Boivin

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Even though there are times when the sign of the cross is mandatory, there are no particular moments when it is not proper.

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Oriental Orthodox churches typically make the sign from left to right, as in the Western tradition, but sometimes use the Eastern hand shape or their own traditions (such as one finger to symbolize Christ's one nature). This also applies to the Eastern Catholic churches from the same countries — that is, in the Alexandrian, Armenian, and Syrian Rites.

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The words or "formula" can be said out loud or silently, depending on the situation.

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