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Theresa H
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Do you teach your children to do the Sign of the Cross after Receiving Communion?
I am teaching the First Communion class at our church and was recently told that teaching them the Sign of the Cross after receiving communion is imposing my piety on them.
Can anyone clarify this question for me?
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Theresa from OK
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Paula in MN
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Interesting question. I have always made the Sign of the Cross after receiving. I can't wait to read the responses!
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 Paula
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Cay Gibson
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I always make the Sign of the Cross and at least three of my four who receive have taken to doing it as well, just from example I suppose.
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KC in TX
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When I was receiving FHC, my priest told us we were not supposed to do the sign of the cross after receiving communion so I have not.
I'm interested to see how everyone responds.
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teachingmyown
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My children do. I was taught that way. We actually genuflect and bless ourselves before receiving as well.
Either way, I find it scary that you are being admonished for imposing your piety on children that you are preparing for a Sacrament! I guess it is possible to be TOO pious, but that certainly isn't what is wrong with the Church in America! 
I am always shocked by the lack of piety of the children receiving First Holy Communion.
God bless you for imposing your piety!
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happymama
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"With respect to the first part of the question, while there is no real need to make a sign of the cross after receiving holy Communion, many people do so for several reasons. For some, making a sign of the cross is a spiritual reflex action for any moment of prayer. For others, it represents an act of faith in the mystery they have received. Whatever the cause, I personally see no reason to bother people about such a simple gesture, even if it does not form part of the liturgy at this moment."
Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University. (from Zenit, 2005)
I think this sums it up nicely: it's an extra thing, but not an innovation, because it was standard prior to the Novus Ordo. Now, when it comes to teaching on the liturgy, I'm one of those people who likes to do everything exactly by the book - which means not adding extras - but you could present it to them as "an optional thing that some people like to do." Surely your priest can't fault you for stating it like that!?
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Barbara C.
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We had First Holy Communion in second grade and were taught to make the sign of the cross afterwards. Then in third grade we had a Carmelite nun who insisted that we not only make the sign of the cross, but that we were to stop, face the crucifix, and put our left hand over our heart while we made the sign of the cross with our right hand. It's been many years, but it is still a habit with me.
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Veronica's Veil
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We were taught to make the sign of the cross after receiving Holy Communion, I have always done it and have taught both of my boys to as well.
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Theresa H
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Thank you all for your comments! I think our priest would be okay with your suggestion Happymama. Thank you.
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Theresa from OK
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mandmsmom2001
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The new GIRM is teaching a bow of the head only before recieving to show reverence with no other gestures necessary before or after.
Here is the direct text followed by the accompanying explanation (not mine): GIRM #160: "When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister ...When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, the sign of reverence is also made before receiving the Precious Blood. "
In this diocese, this slight bow of the head should take place as the communicant approaches the sacrament. What is important to note here is that whereas in the past, the documents did not specify what constitutes an appropriate "gesture of reverence" when receiving communion, it has now been defined by the Church as a simple bow of the head, rather than a genuflection, a profound bow, or any other gesture.
Because the liturgy is not for private devotions or expressions of private devotions, the bishops ask that persons not genuflect or kneel to receive Holy Communion.
My note:
That is how my now 10 yo was taught for his FHC and how I, as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, was retaught ("you serve as an example to the congragation when you are on the alter" says our trainer). Seems to have been a smooth adjustment as far as I've seen here in the norhteast.
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JennGM
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happymama wrote:
"With respect to the first part of the question, while there is no real need to make a sign of the cross after receiving holy Communion, many people do so for several reasons. For some, making a sign of the cross is a spiritual reflex action for any moment of prayer. For others, it represents an act of faith in the mystery they have received. Whatever the cause, I personally see no reason to bother people about such a simple gesture, even if it does not form part of the liturgy at this moment."
Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University. (from Zenit, 2005)
I think this sums it up nicely: it's an extra thing, but not an innovation, because it was standard prior to the Novus Ordo. Now, when it comes to teaching on the liturgy, I'm one of those people who likes to do everything exactly by the book - which means not adding extras - but you could present it to them as "an optional thing that some people like to do." Surely your priest can't fault you for stating it like that!? |
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That quote is great. I would just clarify your sentence "it was a standard prior to Novus Ordo". Making the sign of the cross after Communion was more of an act of popular piety even pre-Vatican II, and I'd say it is more common in some cultures than others, but definitely not standard practice even way back then.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Sign of the Cross after receiving
