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NanaR
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| Joined: | Sat Jun 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 180 |
| First Name: | Ruth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Born JW, born-again Catholic (Tiber Swim Team 2008) |
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Posted: Sun Jul 8th, 2007 09:15 am |
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Friends,
I absolutely love Catholic prayers -- they are so deep and spiritual. Since June 28, I have been praying the 30 Day St. Joseph prayer. The prayer is found on the EWTN web site:
http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/thirtydayjoseph.htm
Anyway, this is my question. If I am praying the St. Joseph prayer by itself, do I make the Sign of the Cross in the beginning and at the end of it? I have been unsure about this, but have been making the Sign of the Cross as kind of a "default" choice (didn't think it would hurt, but didn't know if it was actually required in this context).
Having been accustomed to pray only to the Father through the Son (I was a JW, you might have noticed), I am trying to become more educated in the PROTOCOLS, if you will, of Catholic prayer. I generally try to follow the helpful instructions with most prayers, but this one doesn't really have any except for the "30-day" idea.
I know we make the Sign of the Cross at the beginning and end of the Rosary, but not all prayers of the Rosary are to Mary.
Hence the question -- When praying to Mary or a particular Saint for intersession, does one begin and end with the Sign of the Cross?
Ruth
Last edited on Mon Jul 9th, 2007 05:03 pm by NanaR
____________________
When you bend down to help someone up, that is the best exercise for your heart. -- Fr. Noe, 2007
http://nanaruthann.blogspot.com
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
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Posted: Sun Jul 8th, 2007 09:51 am |
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If I am praying the St. Joseph prayer by itself, do I make the Sign of the Cross in the beginning and at the end of it? I have been unsure about this, but have been making the Sign of the Cross as kind of a "default" choice (didn't think it would hurt, but didn't know if it was actually required in this context).
Not required, Ruth, but certainly customary. I do it, and I know a lot of others who do the same. The Sign of the Cross is actually a separate prayer unto itself, so there is no reason to see it as not appropriate even if it is followed by prayer to a saint. The saint you are praying to undoubtedly approves of your acknowledgement of and devotion to the Holy Trinity, whom he or she adores in heaven.
David
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Jul 8th, 2007 11:56 am |
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NanaR wrote: do I make the Sign of the Cross in the beginning and at the end of it?
The Fathers instructed us to begin and end all things with the cross. It is the sign and symbol of our belief. The prayer that accompanies it is an expression of faith in the Trinity. So in one act, we are acknowledging and publicly demonstrating our belief in the Triune God, the life, death and resurrection of our Savior, and the saving power of his selfless sacrifice for us.
Private prayer is exactly that ... private. You may pray in any way you wish. But remember that even when you pray to Mary and the saints, your prayer ultimately is "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
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NanaR
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| Joined: | Sat Jun 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 180 |
| First Name: | Ruth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Born JW, born-again Catholic (Tiber Swim Team 2008) |
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Posted: Sun Jul 8th, 2007 05:00 pm |
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Dave and Rick,
Thank you so much for your quick replies :-)
One thing I noticed immediately in the official prayers to the saints is that we are asking for their intersession. This confirmed in my mind what I had been told, that Catholics do not worship Mary and the saints in the same way as they worship God. So I wanted to be careful about "ad libbing" anything here :-)
I hadn't thought about the Sign of the Cross being a separate prayer unto itself, although I do treat it that way. I sometimes panic when approaching the freeway (to merge), and I have found that making the Sign of the Cross and saying a Hail Mary or two helps to calm me down. I can see that opening between the speeding trucks more clearly :-)
Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate this forum!
Ruth
____________________
When you bend down to help someone up, that is the best exercise for your heart. -- Fr. Noe, 2007
http://nanaruthann.blogspot.com
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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Sun Jul 8th, 2007 05:18 pm |
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Along this line, Nana. As a child, I can recall a frightening moment when my father started driving down the wrong way onto the highway. The cars were coming at us and swerving to avoid us. I remember asking Mary to protect us. I was not even raised in a Christian home. My father was agnostic and my mother atheist. Still, at that harrowing moment, I asked Mother Mary to protect us. The fact that I am writing this comment shows reveals the results of that prayer. 
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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japhy
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| Joined: | Thu Apr 26th, 2007 |
| Location: | Princeton, New Jersey USA |
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| First Name: | Jeff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic (Roman Rite) |
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Posted: Mon Jul 9th, 2007 04:03 pm |
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I also prayed the St. Joseph 30-day "novena" recently, for intentions concerning my upcoming marriage; the final day was the morning of my wedding Mass (June 23).
I began and ended with the Sign of the Cross.
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[Mary said,] "Do whatever he tells you." - John 2:5
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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
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| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Mon Jul 9th, 2007 09:15 pm |
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japhy wrote: I also prayed the St. Joseph 30-day "novena" recently, for intentions concerning my upcoming marriage; the final day was the morning of my wedding Mass (June 23).
I began and ended with the Sign of the Cross.
Welcome back to our forum, Japhy. Many blessings to you and your new bride.
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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BettyBoopToo
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| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
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| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Jul 9th, 2007 09:40 pm |
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Ruth
Good question
When I read the first volume of the Early Church Fathers, One of the fathers explains that we cross our selves upon rising, before bed, before leaving our homes and when we return. As to make our every action or activity in a chirstian manner. those are not the exact words, but from memory they are similar.
I have holy water fonts at each entrance/Exit of my home and one beside my bed, so as to go along with following the ECF's instructions. Which is very similar as to what Rick said.
The Fathers instructed us to begin and end all things with the cross. It is the sign and symbol of our belief. The prayer that accompanies it is an expression of faith in the Trinity. So in one act, we are acknowledging and publicly demonstrating our belief in the Triune God, the life, death and resurrection of our Savior, and the saving power of his selfless sacrifice for us.
God Bless
Betty
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Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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Lisa
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| Joined: | Tue Jul 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | Kennerdell, Pennsylvania USA |
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| First Name: | Lisa | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lifefime Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Jul 13th, 2007 01:55 am |
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Hi NanaR!
When I pray, I begin my prayers with the sign of the cross. By making the sign of the cross when I wake up, pray, work, before I go to bed, places what I am doing in the NAME of the One who sacrificed all and prayed for me - Jesus! He is the way, the truth, and the life! John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." So, all my prayers are lifted to the Father - the Source and Creator of all that I do, all that I am, and all that I need, in the name of His most Blessed Son. Besides, I believe that St. Joseph is smiling every time you place your prayers, needs and life in the loving hands of Jesus!
May our most Merciful God, with all His Saints bless YOU in your journey! And, thank you for the link!
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Don't be afraid to try something new! Professionals built the Titanic, and Amateur built the ARK!
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Sindone
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Posted: Fri Jul 13th, 2007 10:35 pm |
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Dear Nana,
I always begin with the Sign of the Cross for any prayers. This is just pre-set in the mind and I believe very customary for Catholics, be it the Mass, Rosary, Novenas, etc. All Catholic prayers is ultimately to the One God: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, nomatter what the names of the prayers or through whom the intercession be.
We even do this whenever we are in the presence of the Holy. Seeing a holy picture which reminds us of God, in shrines, when touching anything holy, when sprinkled with holy water, or even whenever we think of anything holy. It is simply a profession of our Faith and our belonging to God.
I remember seeing Orthodox Christians make many times the Sign of the Cross whenever they are in holy places.
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