Crossing

[Dusty Fro]

When Catholics cross themselves, what does that mean? They say "In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," right? What is the action supposed to mean?

[Adeodatus]

First of all, we begin "in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" because we live and move and have our being (Acts 17.28) in God, the Most Holy Trinity. Everything we do is in God.

Second, by our baptism in the Name of the Trinity (Matthew 28.19) we are configured to the image of the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit. We become sons and daughters of God. It is the Name of the Trinity that marks us and makes us this new creation in Christ.

Third, we mark ourselves with the Cross, the sign of Our Lord Jesus Christ through which He saved us (1 Corinthians 1.18). It is the mark of our salvation, like the 'Tau' (i.e. the figure +) in Ezekiel (Ezekiel 9.4) .

Fourth, by our baptism we are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Peter 2.9). All the baptised share in the common priesthood of Christ (not the particular priesthood of priests and bishops) by virtue of ttheir baptism. So making the Sign of the Cross is not only a reminder to us of the grace and dignity of our baptism, but it is also a way in which we bless ourselves.