Why do Catholics bless themselves?

Answer 1

strictly speaking this is called the Sign of the Cross and should be made in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, ideally on crossing a church. It is bad but popular form to use the phrase ( Bless oneself) as this is in a sense a theological impossibility, it also survives in song lyrics like ( Bless my soul, what"s Wrong with me) sorry to drag that in, but it is popular usage. actually one Makes the sign of the cross, and that is that. anybody can do it, it is not a Priestly rite. Forehead, like a salute, right and then left- that is the usual style.l

Answer 2

Catholics are not the only religion that uses the Sign of the Cross. Most Anglicans, Orthodox, Lutherans and some other Protestant denominations use it. However, Catholics are the only ones who routinely use it outside of Church services in personal prayer. It is a form of prayer especially when the words 'In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit' are said while making the sign.
I believe the four points of the cross they make are supposed to stand for "father, son, holy, ghost"

Roman Catholic AnswerThe sign of the cross is a confession of faith in Christ crucified and an invocation of his blessing made by a cruciform gesture on one's body... The occasions upon which the action is directed or recommended are innumerable . . . No magic power attaches to the sign of the cross; the action must correspond to a devoutness of heart and mind or it is a useless observance; this does not mean that the mind must necessarily and always advert to the action: it may well be done unconsciously by one habitually religious. from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386 A.D.:Be not ashamed of the cross of Christ . . . but openly seal it upon your forehead, that the devils may behold the royal sign and flee trembling far away. Make this sign at eating and drinking, at sitting, at lying down, at rising up, at speaking, at working.

Answer 3

Yes this is perfectly fine. I am a non-catholic, but if friends invite me to join in prayer, i will cross myself because it's OK. Now, a non-catholic taking communion might be frowned upon. I went to a catholic school as a kid, and every day we did a section of the rosary. I, along with another kid, weren't catholic but we ALWAYs crossed ourselves.

Its also OK for non-catholics to pray catholic prayers.

Answer 4

When approaching the priest during Holy Communion, this means that the person with arms crossed is not able to receive Holy Communion for whatever reason, including not being Catholic, and the priest will simply impart a blessing.

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Catholic AnswerTechnically they are not supposed to do this, although most priests just go with the flow, so to speak. Crossed arms were meant for very young children whom the parents didn't want to leave alone in the pew when they approached for Holy Communion. As the age for First Holy Communion is seven in the Catholic Church, any child a couple years past the age of learning to walk can be confusing, so they are instructed to cross their arms. Adults have tended to pick this up as well, it is NOT for them, they should remain in the pew unless they are going to receive Holy Communion.

Answer 5

Roman Catholic AnswerChristians bless themselves at all times to recall the sign of the cross and to dedicate all their actions - and themselves - to Our Blessed Savior and His Sacrifice for us:

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

2157 The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior's grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties.

Answer 6

Because of the central importance of the cross, in reflection of Jesus' sacrifice for us and because it frightens the devil and his demons when we do.

Answer 7

Before the Gospel reading Catholics cross tehir forehead as a sign of belief in God's word; then the lips to always proclaim God's word; then the breast to keep God's word in their hearts

Answer 8

because their tendencies is like that