Maureen has always loved making the Sign of the Cross in her haphazard toddler way. When she was just beginning to learn, it seemed nothing could be more adorable than the lilt of her voice, with its naturally exaggerated "er" sounds, reciting, "Intha name atha Fath-urrr," while her dimpled hand motioned as inexplicably as a catcher signaling to a pitcher. Needless to say, cute as it was, it seemed she needed a bit of coaching to get the prayer down pat.
This Feast of St. Patrick--who taught the Truth of the Blessed Trinity with the help of a shamrock--seems the perfect moment to share the associations we formed to help our wee Daughter of Erin learn to bless herself:
In the Name of the Father
"We touch our foreheads to remind us that each one of us is created in the image and likeness of God the Father."
And of the Son
"Someday you will receive Jesus in Holy Communion, so we touch our tummies to remind us of this blessed gift."
And of the Holy Spirit.
"The Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove, so we touch our two shoulders--first the far shoulder, then the close shoulder--to remind us of His two wings."
Amen.
"Amen means 'Yes, Lord.' We press our palms together to show Him we are ready to pray."
[Our tribute to the Isle of Saints and Scholars.]
Happy St. Patrick's Day and God's Blessings from our Cottage to Yours!
I love those crafts so much! Just might have to make a Sculpey run today...my girls would be thrilled.
Posted by: Lissa | March 17, 2007 at 02:27 PM
What a beautiful way to teach the Sign of the Cross! I have never heard those explanations before—the two shoulders to represent the wings of the dove, etc. Thank you for this. I can't wait to share it with my children.
Posted by: Anne | March 17, 2007 at 02:33 PM
Thank you, Lissa and Anne.
>I have never heard those explanations >before—the two shoulders to represent >the wings of the dove, etc.
Anne, the associations came to me in a desperate moment when I realized the left -handed triangle couldn't suffice forever! Once again, the Holy Spirit comes to the rescue when needed! : )
Posted by: Alice Gunther | March 17, 2007 at 03:19 PM
I can just picture sweet Catherine making her angelic Sign of the Cross...and I'm sure all of Heaven smiles every time that she does!
Happy St Patrick's Day, Alice!
Posted by: Diane | March 17, 2007 at 08:19 PM
So precious! Saint Patrick is smiling, I'm sure!
Posted by: elena maria vidal | March 18, 2007 at 08:26 PM
I bought the Celtic cross cookie cutter after seeing it on your blog. My kids made the cookie dough all by themslves for the first time and had a great time making and decorating the cookies. Thank you for your inspiration. Of course mine looked nothing like your beautiful ones, but the kids were so independent that I let it go!
Posted by: Jen | March 18, 2007 at 08:57 PM
Alice, thank you so much for sharing this lovely explanation of the Sign of the Cross. I'm definitely tucking it away in my "For When We Have Kids" file.
Posted by: Layla | March 18, 2007 at 10:29 PM
I love your explanation.
Posted by: MaryM | March 19, 2007 at 05:24 AM
A beautiful explanation of the Sign of the Cross. I'll share that with my children today.
Posted by: Donna | March 25, 2007 at 06:46 AM
Alice, loved this post the first time, she's so sweet!! Thanks so much for participating in the Toddler Carnival, I know many have already benefitted from your words! Blessings and hugs!
Posted by: Meredith | April 20, 2007 at 06:20 PM