the "sign"

[Salty]

someone sent me a PM
But I heard once that the words that go with the sign of the cross were “My head hurts, my stomach hurts, and I can’t find my cigarettes.”

Now I will add to this -
I worked with someone - who would "attempt" to show the sign of the cross but several times would keep repeating the second sign.
The boss would say - OH, that's because he is stuttering!.

BTW - in reality - my boss was a Roman Catholic and almost fully deaf!

 

[Ascetic X]

The physical gesture of tracing a cross on the body while reciting the Trinitarian formula is known as the Sign of the Cross.

It recalls one's baptismal identity and commitment to living as a follower of Christ.

Signing is both a prayer and a ritual blessing made by members of some branches of Christianity.

The use of the sign of the cross traces back to early Christianity, with the third-century treatise Apostolic Tradition directing that it be used during the minor exorcism of baptism, during ablutions before praying at fixed prayer times, and in times of temptation.

The large sign of the cross is used in some denominations of Methodism and within some branches of Reformed Christianity.

 

[Kai]

Since the "sign" originated as early as the 2nd century, I don't believe it is appropriate to associate it entirely with the Roman Catholic Church. It is simply understood as a "Catholic thing" by our culture today.

I don't necessarily have a problem with the gesture. Some Baptists and Protestants may object to it, but I'd also point out that even they have retained some traditions that were established in Medieval Catholicism, such as the use of structured congregational singing, liturgical calendars, and pulpit sermons.