Sign of the Cross Soldiers

Inspired by the virtue of courage during this past Lent, Lilia Grundy formed a movement to encourage others to serve as witnesses to the Faith. 

Courage to Share 

Holding hands, we just about finished our prayer when I caught the waitress, crouch down and walk away from our table. This happens often. My family praying before meals in restaurants. And servers respectfully allowing us to complete our prayer before approaching us.  

Whether Christian or not, I think the act of prayer begets reverence. And that’s why I love making the Sign of the Cross everywhere I go. I didn’t use to be that way, however. For most of my life, I felt embarrassed to pray in public. For various reasons, I did not want to impose my faith. I did not want to call attention. I did not have courage. 

Coincidently, courage was the theme of my Lenten journey this year. I heard the word linger in my prayers. I heard the virtue spoken of by my pastor. I witnessed the act by several members of my parish. Courage was something that I was being called to grow. 

I was asked to serve on a panel for Young Catholic Professionals, and as I was preparing my reflections to share, I felt the tug to open my heart and dare to be vulnerable. Would I be able to speak about some difficult moments of my life? My pride always gets in the way. But this time, I asked my Guardian Angel for strength and opened up like never before. I didn’t remember to say all the things I wanted to reveal, but I trust in God that everything I did say, had a purpose.  

Courage to Pray 

I am grateful for the people who have come into my life to inspire more courage, especially for the courage to pray publicly. Not just for the sake of praying, but to serve as a witness to the faith. We are called after all, to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).  

My family and I pray every time we are out and about going through our day. In the car, we make the sign of the cross. When we hear an ambulance, we make the Sign of the Cross. When we drop off to school, we make the Sign of the Cross.  

It is not enough to know God; we must also acknowledge Him as God. (Opus Sanctorum Angelorum® Formation Letters, pg. 74).  

The Sign of the Cross is a prayer itself. It’s a powerful sign to others as well. We just need courage to pray. 

Courage to Join 

When I learned how Saint Maximilian Kolbe created the Militia of the Immaculata (MI), I was fascinated by his desire to “to win the whole world for Christ through the Immaculata, Mother of God and of the Church.”  

Indeed, St. Maximillian’s martyrdom was the ultimate act of witness, but the MI lives on, and to this day, encourages members to “to give witness to the Faith everywhere.”  

I was inspired to be more thoughtful in how and when I pray. I am purposeful when I make the sign of the cross – representing the Trinity, I make slow, deliberate motions to remember this. I formed a group, Sign of the Cross Soldiers, in hopes that I might rouse others to make the Sign of the Cross more often.  

In my tiny way, I hope that by encouraging others to make the Sign of the Cross everywhere they go, we too can serve as a tiny, but mighty army. 

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Copyright 2025 Lilia Grundy
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