ed from
death. St. Gregory of Nissa testifies that his sister during an illness
desired her mother to make the sign of the Cross over her; and when it
was done the illness left her. Through the sign of the Cross Bishop
Fortunatus restored the sight to a blind man; St. Lawrence cured
several others similarly affected. St. Roch cured the plague stricken,
and the legend says that St. Corbinian brought the dead back to life by
this same sign. The lives of the saints are replete with examples that
testify to the miraculous power of the sign of the Cross.

Because the Cross is then a sign of honor, of blessing and power,
because it is an effective remedy against evils of body and soul, the
Church has always exhorted the faithful by word and example to make
zealous use of the same at all times. Since the time of the Apostles
the sign of the Cross has been made by the faithful in all their
undertakings. Through this sign they dedicated their work to God and
invoke the divine blessing upon it.

The Fathers teach that this custom originated with the Apostles; it is
related even by a pious legend that Christ Himself at His ascension
into heaven blessed the Apostles with this sign. How universal this
custom was among Christians of the early centuries may be learned from
the words of St. Chrysostom: "We find everywhere the sign of the Cross,
it is used by princes and subjects, by women and men, by the slaves and
the free. They all sign themselves with it by making it over their
foreheads."

Let us then imitate the pious Christians of those days when faith was
more lively and robust, and let us never be ashamed of this sign of
honor! What would you think of a soldier ashamed of his colors? Let us
not be ashamed of this sign, lest Jesus be ashamed of us, when He comes
in power and majesty, with the Cross shining before Him like the sun.
Let us not deprive ourselves of the manifold blessings of this sign,
either through fear of our fellowmen or indifference. Let us make
abundant use of this sign of power, so that we may participate in the
blessing and protection that comes from the Cross, most especially when
assailed by the enemies of our salvation. This sign of the Cross should
be placed upon the forehead, lips and breast, before our prayers, for
by this our thoughts, our words, and the emotions of our heart are
consecrated and become more pleasing to God. This is the purpose of
beginning the prayer of the rosary with the sign of