Sermons of St. John Mary Vianney

[Hildegard of Bingen]

THE ARMED CROSSES

Book "Sermons of the Cure of Ars" (St. John Mary Vianney) by TAN Books - pages 180-181

     The sign of the cross is the most terrible weapon against the Devil. Thus the Church wishes not only that we should have it continually in front of

our minds to recall to us just what our souls are worth and what they cost Jesus Christ, but also that we should make it at every juncture ourselves:

when we go to bed, when we awaken during the night, when we get up, when we begin any action, and, above all, when we are tempted. We can say

that a Christian who makes the Sign of the Cross with genuine religious sentiments, that is to say, when fully aware of the action which he is performing,

makes all Hell tremble. But when we make the Sign of the Cross, we must make it not by habit but with respect, with attention and thinking of what we

are doing. Ah, dear Lord, with what devout awe we should be filled when we make the Sign of the Cross upon ourselves and recall that we are pronouncing

all that we hold holy and most sacred in our religion!