Prayer of the Church, from the first centuries

The Sign of the Cross

The prayer that opens and closes every prayer; with the old “By the sign of the Holy Cross”

LatinEnglish

Per signum CrucisPer signum Crucis
de inimícis nostris
líbera nos, Deus noster.

By the sign of the CrossBy the sign of the Holy Cross,
from our enemies
deliver us, O Lord our God.

Signum CrucisIn nómine Patris,
et Fílii,
et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

The Sign of the CrossIn the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

SourcePrayer of the Church, from the first centuries · The prayer that opens and closes every prayer; with the old “By the sign of the Holy Cross”

The history of this prayer

The Sign of the Cross is the oldest and shortest Catholic prayer: in a few words it professes the Holy Trinity, and with the gesture it confesses the Passion of Christ. Around the year 200 Tertullian already wrote that Christians traced the cross on their foreheads at every step of the day — going out and coming in, dressing, lying down to sleep. The large gesture, from forehead to breast and shoulder to shoulder, became usual later, in the Middle Ages.

In Brazil and other Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries Catholics often begin with “By the sign of the Holy Cross”: three small crosses traced with the thumb on the forehead, lips and breast, followed by the large Sign of the Cross. The words go back to an old Latin antiphon of the Office of the Holy Cross: “Per signum Crucis de inimicis nostris libera nos, Deus noster”.

The Enchiridion of Indulgences grants a partial indulgence to those who devoutly sign themselves with the cross while saying the formula. In Church Latin, “nómine” is stressed on the first syllable and “Spíritus” on “Spí”.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make the Sign of the Cross?

With the right hand, touch the forehead (“In the name of the Father”), the breast (“and of the Son”), the left shoulder and then the right (“and of the Holy Spirit”), and say “Amen”.

What is the Sign of the Cross in Latin?

“In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.”

Why do Catholics cross from left to right?

In the Latin Church the custom since the Middle Ages is left shoulder then right; Eastern Christians go from right to left. Both are ancient and legitimate.

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