Sealed with a Cross

Cait Winters tells the story of how her kids cheer her on through the Sign of the Cross.

It was lunchtime in the middle of a typically busy homeschooling day. We had spent the morning on a hike at nature co-op and still had math, cursive and reading to cover that afternoon. Homeschooling can be hard on a home (and a homemaker!) because most days, aside from my hardworking husband, everyone is here all day long. I wouldn’t trade this time serving my family for the world, but it often means cooking three meals a day and constant cycles of washing and drying to keep up our well-loved, humble home.   

That morning I had overslept, being early-pregnant and tired and didn’t have a chance to unload the perpetual dishes. It was easy to leave and forget about the chores while on our hike but coming back to them was another story. The sink was half-full already, but I had hungry kids to feed, so I fired up the stove and sudsed up what I could. The smell of cooking was turning my stomach and everywhere I looked, my to-do list grew.   

I did a swat-like Sign of the Cross, blessing myself as I caught my breath and forged ahead. The Sign of the Cross is a quick way for me to ask for heaven's help without even saying a word. I broke a sweat but got through the chores, finally setting plates and drinks out for the kids and calling them to the table. 

Time to pray  

“Let’s say grace!” I reminded them before they could dig in. We held hands and prayed together, “Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive through thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.” We always bookend our prayers with the Sign of the Cross: “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” and the kids like to punctuate theirs with a clap!

It always makes me smile but that day it did more. For me, a cradle Catholic, making the Sign of the Cross is as natural as walking. Due to its familiarity, it may be done out of habit more than devotion. But my kids' enthusiasm and devout joy for the Sign of the Cross reminded me of its importance. It is more than just a gesture, but a sacramental deserving of reverence.  

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) defines sacramentals as “sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments” and “signify effects … obtained through the intercession of the Church.” (CCC 1667) When we make the Sign of the Cross, we should ponder the Paschal Mystery it reflects.  

Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church’s prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it. (CCC 1670)

The Sign of the Cross calls to mind our Baptism where we are marked “with the imprint of Christ” and “signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross." (CCC 1235) 

The power of this simple prayer 

In the face of my difficulties, the Sign of the Cross reminds me of my identity in Christ. It reminds me of who I am and whose I am. That no matter what, I belong to Jesus, and God is in control. The Sign of the Cross reminds me that I’m not alone, for God is with me — and knowing that empowers me to persevere.  

The Catechism says that when we begin our day, prayers, and activities with the Sign of the Cross we “dedicate the day to the glory of God” and “call on the Savior’s grace” which allows us to “act in the Spirit as a child of the Father” and “strengthens us in temptations and difficulties.” (CCC 2157)  

Sometimes, when the enemy can’t cause us to sin in the big ways, he will try to sneak up on us through our feelings or attitudes. It’s easy for caretakers to fall into resentments or dissatisfaction if we’re not actively serving from a place of gratitude and love.   

All of Heaven cheers me on

Some days motherhood can feel overwhelming, but when my kids clap at the end of their prayer, it feels like not just them, but all of Heaven cheering me on. Like our meals, each day, prayer and activity in our home is sealed with a cross. It is a blessing that I no longer take for granted. As I rush through my tasks, may I never again rush through this prayer, but always pause in reverent awe of the countless ways God extends His grace to us, His children.  

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Copyright 2024 Cait Winters
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