In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
It’s the simplest and most common prayer of the Christian Church. It is usually accompanied by an action – the sign of the cross.
Yet the implications of this prayer are quite profound. Think about it – we pray that everything we do is done in the name of the triune God; God who is Father, Son and Spirit.
So the Sign of the Cross is not a prayer to be hurried. Stop and think sometimes as you make the Sign of the Cross. This prayer and its action is a symbol at the core of our faith. It was the sign with which our newest catechumen, Shelley, was marked with last Sunday as she was accepted into preparation for baptism, confirmation and eucharist. When a baby is brought into the Church, they are named and then welcomed by the Church with the Sign of the Cross. So the first thing we as a community do ritually to those joining us is mark them with the Sign of the Cross. Everything we ever do from that point forward is done in the name of the trinity.
Liturgy 