Basic Catholic Customs
Sign of the Cross
One of the most familiar symbols which we use as Catholics is the Sign of the Cross. This simple gesture professes our belief in two central mysteries of our faith; the Trinity, that our God while being one is also three distinct Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and belief in the salvation won for use by Jesus' death on the cross. We use the right hand to touch our forehead as we say In the name of the Father, then we touch our heart as we pray and of the Son, next we cross over to the left shoulder and then across to the right saying and of the Holy Spirit. We end by saying Amen, meaning I believe.
Genuflection
A traditional custom many seem to forget is the act of genuflecting before entering the pew in Church. We stand facing the tabernacle where Jesus is residing and make a simple act of faith. We bend our right knee to the floor as we make an act of faith such as "Jesus, I believe in You present in the tabernacle" or "Jesus, I believe in You", or "Jesus, I love you". Then we enter the pew, kneel down and pray. We genuflect as we leave the pew in the same way.
Bowing our head at the name of Jesus
Names are very important. They signify our identity. The second of the Ten Commandments tells us to respect the name of God and any name related to God, e.g., Jesus Christ. "Do not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain." St. Paul in his letter to the Phillipians says that "at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend in the heavens, on earth and under the earth." And so, whenever we hear or say the name of Jesus, we should bow our head slightly, as a sign of respect.
One of the most familiar symbols which we use as Catholics is the Sign of the Cross. This simple gesture professes our belief in two central mysteries of our faith; the Trinity, that our God while being one is also three distinct Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and belief in the salvation won for use by Jesus' death on the cross. We use the right hand to touch our forehead as we say In the name of the Father, then we touch our heart as we pray and of the Son, next we cross over to the left shoulder and then across to the right saying and of the Holy Spirit. We end by saying Amen, meaning I believe.
Genuflection
A traditional custom many seem to forget is the act of genuflecting before entering the pew in Church. We stand facing the tabernacle where Jesus is residing and make a simple act of faith. We bend our right knee to the floor as we make an act of faith such as "Jesus, I believe in You present in the tabernacle" or "Jesus, I believe in You", or "Jesus, I love you". Then we enter the pew, kneel down and pray. We genuflect as we leave the pew in the same way.
Bowing our head at the name of Jesus
Names are very important. They signify our identity. The second of the Ten Commandments tells us to respect the name of God and any name related to God, e.g., Jesus Christ. "Do not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain." St. Paul in his letter to the Phillipians says that "at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend in the heavens, on earth and under the earth." And so, whenever we hear or say the name of Jesus, we should bow our head slightly, as a sign of respect.
