Making the Sign of the Cross Over People

Standardization is not legalism. To standardize something is to make it accessible and common to all. Standardization takes something that can vary widely and makes it recognizable for the sake of good order, ease of use, and quality. So, when we advocate for some standardization in the manner in which a particular ceremony is executed, we’re not saying that you’re sinning if you don’t do it this way. We’re simply advocating that what we do is recognizable as the same ceremony across the various persons conducting it.

There is a wide variety with how one makes the sign of the cross over people. Some follow the western rite tradition (flat palm, fingers together, not separating the thumb from the forefinger). Others follow the eastern rite tradition (see photo). Still others do a sort of a paint-brush stroke style with limp wrists, calling into question their “ad orientem” (let the reader understand).

Fortescue describes it in this manner: “. . . he makes the sign of the cross over the people with his right hand, not separating the thumb and forefinger” (Fortescue, Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, 60). And later, “He makes this sign holding the right hand upright, with the fingers joined, the little finger towards the people” (Fortescue, Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, 63).

Lang adds some context to this: “When making the sign of the cross over persons or things, the minister traces the sign with his own right hand, his left hand meanwhile resting on his breast. . . . The minister extends his right hand head high with his hand full open. His left hand is held flat against his breast. When he says the Benediction, he may bow [the head] slightly every time at the words, ‘The Lord.’ At the end of the Benediction he makes the sign of the cross over the congregation from head down to his waist and from his left to his right shoulder. He may keep his right hand open or have only the thumb and first two fingers extended when making the sign” (Lange, Ceremony and Celebration, 64-65) Though he is careful to point out that “[c]are should be exercised not to make the sign too large or dramatically. It should be done easily, gracefully, and reverently” (Lang, Ceremony and Celebration, 64).

McClean states: “When making the sign of the cross over the people or over a person, the minister places his left hand—fingers together—flat against his chest, raises his right hand at a right angle to his face, moves his right hand vertically downward to the level of his waist, raises it again vertically to a point before his chest, moves it horizontally to a point in front of his left shoulder, moves it back horizontally to a point in front of his right shoulder, then moves it back to a point before his chest and joins both hand before him” (McClean, Conduct of the Services, 7).

The only time that rubrics specifically call for the thumb and forefinger to be joined is after the consecration of the Body of Christ. When the sign of the cross is made over the communicants during the dismissal, the thumb and forefinger are joined in order to keep any fragments of our Lord’s body from falling to the ground.

So, let’s try to standardize this a bit more among us. The people will more readily recognize what you’re doing, and it won’t call undue attention to your way, but simply to the Lord’s blessing.