Read slowly
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
All prayers
Prayer
Sign of the Cross
Traditional · c. 200
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
About this prayer
The Sign of the Cross invokes the Holy Trinity and marks prayer with the saving sign of Christ’s Cross. Catholic tradition begins the Rosary by blessing oneself with the cross before the opening prayers.
- When to pray
- At the start of the Rosary; at the beginning and end of other prayers; whenever you wish to place yourself under the Trinity’s name.
- After you read
- Let the gesture settle — you are entering prayer in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Listed under
- Trust & surrenderPeace & charity
Trust & surrender. Naming the Trinity expresses faith in God’s revealed identity and entrusts the soul to Him before speaking further.
Peace & charity. The cross is the sign of Christ’s victory; making it opens prayer with calm confidence in His mercy.
- The Rosary
Part of the Rosary — a meditation on the life of Christ through the eyes of His Mother.
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