On the Sign of the Holy Cross

After our district pastoral conference a few weeks ago, a brother asked me about making the sign of the cross during the opening versicles of Matins. I directed him to Ceremony and Celebration by Paul H.D. Lang - and then told him thanks for the Gottesdienst blog post idea. Here is the info and Lang’s excellent commentary.

"In the church's worship it is a laudable custom to cross ourselves at the beginning and end of all services and at the following places in the Service or in the Order of the Holy Communion Service: During the opening words "In the name etc." at the end of the Absolution; at the beginning of the Introit; at the end of the Gloria in Excelsis, when the Gospel is announced (see above: When Reading the Gospel); at the end of the Creed; during the Sanctus at the words, "Blessed is He"' after the consecration at "The peace of the Lord"; when we receive the holy body and precious blood of Christ; when the minister says, "Depart in peace"' and at the end of the Benediction.

The holy cross is the symbol of our salvation. We were signed with it when we were baptized. It is the sign by which the church blesses people and things. By using it we become part of the wonderful history of our faith and companions in the company of saints. It is right that we should make the sign of the cross frequently and to glory in it, saying with St. Paul, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Gal. 6:14)" Lang p.66