I proclaim my faith every time I make the sign of the cross

It is the thesis season in our AB-English Language program. Graduating students are scrambling for thesis-defense schedules. And it is the practice that before the thesis-defense starts someone will always say a short prayer before the panel member. They can pray in their own language whether they are Christian or Muslim.

This article of mine today will share about what I have observed lately during the short prayer moment. I do not know when did I start noticing it but it is really happening. Some AB-English graduating students do not make a sign of the cross before they say their prayer. At first, I just ignored it thinking that they are not Catholics. But when a student of mine who is very active in their parish did not make the sign of the cross I became curious and asked her after the defense on why she did not start her short prayer with the sign of cross. Her answer was; “I forgot Mam Weng na kinahanglan diay manguros.” I was taken aback. But I kept mum about it. After that incident, I started making observations. I was really surprised that 1 out of 10 Catholic students will not bother making the sign of the cross to start the prayer.

I do not want to impose on them my faith and my take on this “No-making-sign-of-the-cross” attitude. But I guess something has to be done to remind the faithful Catholics on the importance of making the sign of the cross.

Looking back to my college days I would make the sign of the cross every time I passed by a Catholic church. The same I would do when I would be walking alone on a dark alley. I would also do the same thing before and after my meals.

These making-the-sign-of-the-cross were not taught to me in my childhood. It was not even impressed on me by my parents or by the catechists in my religion class. I remember that I started making the sign of the cross when I was 16 years old — the year when I said I love you to our Lord God.

Even until now, I do still make the sign of the cross whenever I would pass by a Catholic church; or whenever I get startled or whenever I started feeling afraid in my travel — in the plane, in the bus, or in the boat. Likewise, when I am happy or enthralled I also make the sign of the cross to express outwardly the joy that I am feeling.

Making the sign of the cross is my way of proclaiming my faith to GOD. Actually that gesture is very Catholic in nature. It is one of the practices that belong to the Catholic faith just like praying the rosary. It is my way of expressing my love to the unseen Three Person in One God; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Going back to the issue with my Catholic students, I do not know how to approach them and share to them (not impose on them) the essence of the sign of the cross without violating their freedom of religion. They might be Catholics but USEP (University of Southeastern Philippines) upholds freedom of religion and freedom of religious practices and beliefs. I want to tell my students that since they cannot always proclaim their faith and love of God in words and in deeds, they can actually express it through the sign of the cross and most of all I want to tell them too that to make the sign of the cross before saying a prayer is a manifestation of their humility before God. But mine is: Making the sign of the cross is my humble way of proclaiming my faith and love to GOD.