The Sign of the Cross ~ A Catholic Thing

We make the Sign of the Cross automatically, it is part of who we are as Catholics. This article is a good reminder of the power behind that Sign…and that it should be made respectfully and with a small reflection on what it stands for…

by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, How to Be Happy, How to Be Holy, 1942

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

We begin all our prayers with the Sign of the Cross. We must make this blessed Sign with reverence and respect, slowly—not too slowly—but certainly not with the irreverent haste with which many ignorant Christians make it.

It is the most holy and powerful sign man possesses. It drives the devil away, it helps us to banish temptations and protects us from the gravest dangers.

When well made it gives intense pleasure to God; made irreverently it is nothing else than a hideous caricature, an insult to Our Lord.

Well made it obtains for us great graces. Badly made it is mockery.

From the earliest times we find that the Sign of the Cross was used publicly as a protection against sickness, plagues and epidemics, against dangers of all kinds, in storms and in earthquakes.

All fervent Christians make the Sign of the Cross with the utmost confidence as a shield against every evil.

THE POWER OF THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

In the reign of the Emperor Phocas, a Persian embassy arrived at the Imperial Court in Constantinople. These ambassadors and their suite were all Mohammedans. The Emperor and the members of the palace remarked that these Mohammedan princes and their followers had the Sign of the Cross marked on their foreheads.

Surprised at this love and respect for the Sign of the Cross on the part of fanatical Moslems, they inquired the reason.

The Moslems explained that some years previously a terrible epidemic had raged in Persia. The Moslems noted that the Christians signed themselves with the Sign of the Cross and were thus delivered from the plague.

Convinced of the power of the Cross, they themselves did likewise and were also delivered from the awful scourge.

Since then profound respect was shown for this holy Sign, which was considered as a protection and safeguard from sickness and pestilence.

Many devout Catholics, when troubled with any pain or sickness, make the Sign of the Cross with their thumb on the part afflicted saying,
“By the holy Sign of the Cross deliver us, O Lord, from all evils and sickness.”

This holy practice is of the greatest efficacy and should be used by all the faithful.

THE JEW AND THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

The following fact is authenticated by the highest authority.

A Jew was traveling on foot to Rome, and being suddenly overtaken at nightfall by a great storm took refuge in the ruins of a pagan temple. Wearied by his day’s journey, he soon fell fast asleep.

At dead of night he was suddenly awakened by horrible noises and a suffocating odor. His horrified glance fell on a number of devils, whose hideous forms filled him with terror. Remembering that the Christians whom he knew used the holy Sign in all dangers, he too, as best he could, made the Sign of the Cross, which at once drove the devils in headlong flight from the temple.

On reaching Rome he recounted this fact, and the Holy Father ordered a rigorous examination of his statements to be made. These were shown to be perfectly true.

ST. HILARION CALMS THE SEA BY THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

After the death of the Emperor Julian, a fearful earthquake struck terror into the inhabitants of Peloponessus. This was followed by an upheaval of the sea which rose to an immense height and threatened every moment to destroy the city of Epidaurus. St. Hilarion approached the seashore and made the Sign of the Cross, when, at once, the sea sank back to its usual level and became calm and tranquil.

St. Benedict, when wicked men tried to kill him by giving him a cup of poisoned wine, made the Sign of the Cross over it and the goblet was at once shattered to pieces.

St. Louis Bertrand changed a gun pointed at him by a would-be assassin into a crucifix, by the Sign of the Cross.

Cyprian, a wealthy pagan, who wished to marry a Christian lady named Justina, was incensed at her refusal to consider his proposals.

He employed the diabolical machinations of a well-known sorcerer, who assured him of success. However the efforts of this ally of the devil proved to be unavailing.

Cyprian upbraided him for his failure, whereupon the sorcerer confessed in self-defense that Justina was accustomed to make the Sign of the Cross, which frustrated all his diabolical efforts.

Cyprian, profoundly impressed by this confession, replied, “Your master, the devil, must indeed be weak and Christ very strong, therefore in future I will pay my allegiance to Christ, the Lord.”
Faithful to his word he became a Christian and a great saint.

A CRIPPLE CURED BY THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

The holy Bishop, St. Bonnet, was once asked by a poor cripple to place his hand on his suffering members, hoping that the touch of the holy man would restore his limbs to their pristine health and strength.

“I will gladly do what you ask,” replied the Bishop, “but it will avail you nothing.”

He touched the poor, withered legs of the disabled man, but his touch produced no result, much to the disappointment of the infirm man.

Moved to compassion, St. Bonnet then said, “I will now do something which will give you back your strength.” Stretching forth his hand, he made with it the Sign of the Cross and lo, in an instant the lame man was completely restored to health!

JULIAN THE APOSTATE

The impious emperor Julian the Apostate did not hesitate to hold communications with the devil.

On one occasion, accompanied by a noted magician, he entered a dark, subterranean cavern where the devil was wont to be honored.

Horrible noises greeted his affrighted ears. Hideous figures became visible in the gloom, so that the Emperor was terrified.

Mindful of the power of the Sign of the Cross, which he had so often made as a child, he now instinctively signed himself with this holy Sign.

Instantly the horrible noises ceased, the dreadful figures disappeared and all was peace.

The impious emperor, regaining his lost courage, once more attempted to perform the devilish rites, whereupon the devils again appeared and struck terror into his heart. Again, filled with fear, he made this holy Sign and the devils fled headlong from the cavern.

This episode is related both by St. Gregory and St. Augustine.

THE SAINTS AND THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

In the lives of the Saints we find other innumerable proofs of the power of the Sign of the Cross.

St. Dominic raised the dead to life by the holy Sign.

St. Vincent Ferrer worked hundreds of miracles by this blessed Sign.

Tertullian relates that the Christians in the first centuries began everything with the Sign of the Cross. When they left their homes or reentered them, they blessed themselves. Arising in the morning or going to rest at night, they made the Sign of the Cross with great devotion. In all dangers and temptations they made the same holy Sign.

St. Patrick made the Sign of the Cross 400 times a day.

All good Christians should strive to make the Sign of the Cross as frequently as possible.

By this blessed Sign, devoutly made, we give immense glory to God, for we offer to Him the infinite merits of the death of Jesus Christ.

But never, never should a Christian make the Sign of the Cross hastily or irreverently.

HOW SHOULD WE MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS?

The following explanations are of great importance:

Firstly, we should make the Sign of the Cross with the intention of renewing the Passion of Jesus Christ, of offering to the Eternal Father the infinite merits of the death of His Son—and this in union with the Masses actually being said all over the world.

The Mass is nothing else than the repetition, the renewal of Calvary. Therefore, when we make the Sign of the Cross we should distinctly wish to offer to God all the Masses being said all over the world.

When we make the Sign of the Cross in this manner we give unspeakably great glory to God and obtain, each time, immense graces for ourselves. We actually participate in the Masses being said all over the world!

Secondly, we should make the Sign of the Cross to thank God, with all our hearts, for having died for us.

How many men never once thank God for having suffered the awful death of Calvary for them! And yet, He died on Calvary for each one of us in particular. On the Cross, He clearly saw each one of us and offered all His pains, sufferings and Precious Blood for each of us!

Oh, then at least when making the Sign of the Cross let us wish with all our hearts to thank God! Otherwise, we are guilty of the blackest ingratitude.

Thirdly, we should make the Sign of the Cross with the intention of applying to our souls the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Our Lord died for us, He offered the infinite price of His Precious Blood for us; this is not sufficient unless we, ourselves, apply His merits and Precious Blood to our own souls.

Alas, many Christians never think of doing this!

Fourthly, we should wish by this holy Sign to drive the devil far from us, and to ask God by the infinite merits of His Divine Son to deliver us from all evils.

Fifthly, when we make the Sign of the Cross, we say the words: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”

What does this mean? By these words the Christian means to say:
1) I firmly believe in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
2) I place all my unbounded trust and confidence in the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
3) I love with all my heart the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Said in this way, the words are a most fervent act of faith, hope and love.

This holy Sign once made, as we have explained, is of more worth than the Sign of the Cross made hastily and irreverently a thousand times.

Therefore, Christian man who reads these lines, remember to make this holy Sign for the future with the full understanding of what you are doing.

Once more we call the attention of our readers to the fact that it is not necessary to take a long time in making this holy Sign, but: a) we must understand and feel what we are doing, and b) we must make the holy Sign slowly and reverently.

“Holy water is water blessed by a priest with solemn prayer, to beg God’s blessing on those who use it, and protection from the powers of darkness. Have some holy water in your home. A holy water font is part of the equipment of a complete Catholic home. Use this powerful sacramental to help you keep clear of sin, and strengthen your desire to serve God in the name of the holy sign of the cross. Amen.” – Fr. Arthur Tonne, 1950

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ST. BENEDICT BRACELETS! Spiritual Protection

Available here.

One of the powerful weapons in spiritual combat is the St. Benedict medal. Used for centuries, this medal has been associated with many miracles, as well as with powers of exorcism.

St. Benedict medals are used in many ways, but always as a protection against evil. Some people bury them in the foundations of new buildings to keep them free from evil influences, while others attach them to rosaries or hang them on the wall in their homes. But the most common way to use the St. Benedict medal is to wear it. The medal can be worn by itself or embedded in a crucifix.

Regardless of how it is used, the medal should always be blessed with the special St. Benedict blessing. While, in former times, only Benedictines could bless the medal, now any priest can.

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