Quote:
|
Originally Posted by wonderingsoul1 I am curious as to why Catholics cross themseleves. |
It is the most basic Trinitarian prayer found in Scripture.
Matthew 28 19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
As Catholics we pray with our bodies as well as with words. Gestures such as the sign of the Cross and sprinkling of water, kneeling to show our humility before God demonstrate a complete submission before God.
The Cross is the symbol of our salvation. Jesus has essentially turned the world topsy turvy. An instrument of torture and death has now become a symbol of love and eternal life.
Matthew 16 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
The Cross is the thau or "t" which is the symbol with which God's chosen are marked:
Ezechiel 9 4 And the Lord said to him: Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem: and mark Thau upon the foreheads of the men that sigh, and mourn for all the abominations that are committed in the midst thereof. Quote:
|
My boyfriend is not a serious religious follower, as does not attend church regularly but I think he went when he was younger. I quite often see him 'crossing himself' and saying the words, father, son and the holy ghost I think?
|
That is correct. Touching the forehead we say, "in the name of the Father. Touching the chest or heart, we say, "and of the Son". Touching the left and right shoulder, we say, "and of the Holy Ghost", we then join our hands in the prayer position and say "amen."
We begin and end all our prayers with the Sign of the Cross.
Quote:
|
and he even kisses his hand.
|
He kisses the Cross which he forms with thumb and forefinger.
Quote:
Often I have wondered about asking him why, but never plucked up the courage to do so, as I do not wish to embarrass him.
Basically just curious as to why he does it, especially as I ahev noticed when he does it, it seems to be when one of us mentions death or a deathly experience, is there any relation between the two?
|
He must be praying for the deceased.
May God bless you both and may this be an indicator of his imminent return to the Church.
Sincerely,
De Maria