…who kindly blesses each one of us

with the Sign of the Cross +

from the sidewalk when we come out of Church.

Or when we pass on the street.

O blessed Sign!

Once when I needed to Confess my sins only to find it was one of those rare days when the church was closed and there would be no Confessions, he happened to be coming down the walkway and, seeing me near the door, bid me to wait a moment. He then Confessed me on the street.

And after each Confession this priest unfailingly says, “I’ll pray for you, and you please pray for me”.

1980’s. I witnessed an old priest bless us all with this precious Sign, each one, as we stopped our cars at a Boston intersection to let him walk past before the streetlight changed. Some of us blessed ourselves in return.

O blessed Sign!

Sometimes the Church burns like a glowing fire. Sometimes the fire smoulders, as under an ash. But He promised us that as long as time lasts His fire can never go out.

O blessed Sign!

Original posting 12/18/21

+ Pope Leo XIV warns of resurgent old heresies (11/28/25)