A gesture is a movement of the body that has meaning. In the Sacraments the priest prays both with his words and his gestures. We, too, are invited to pray through the movements of our body both during the liturgy and in our own personal prayer. One of the most common gestures which we pray is the Sign of the Cross. In teaching this gesture to young children, we often focus on which hand we use, the order in which we move that hand, and the words we pray. However, in the Atrium we begin with the sign itself, the sign of the cross. Pointing first to a cross or crucifix near the prayer table (or, if in the Church, the crucifix in the sanctuary area) we speak about the cross as Jesus’ sign, the sign of His death and resurrection. Then we speak about what a gesture is, giving a few examples like “come here” or “shhhh.” Next, we invite the children to watch and we slowly, carefully, in a solemn but exaggerated way, trace a cross on our body. Inviting the children to notice the gesture we ponder with them why we might make Jesus’ sign on our body. After inviting the children to pray this gesture with us so that we might think more about what we are praying, we invite them to continue enjoying this gesture and to look for His sign in the Atrium, at home, and at Church. In each moment of praying the Sign of the Cross with the little ones I am renewed in my desire to always pray this beautiful gesture with great reverence and intentionality. What a gift that His sign is our sign, too. The cross makes its way into many of the children’s drawings, showing their attunement to the deep connection of Jesus’ sign with our faith.
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Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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April 2024
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