Is there a gesture that I am to do when talking about or refering to a friend or family member when I mention about them in a casual conversation with someone?.....Usually I do the sign of the cross when I mention the person's name, and I would say "God rest his/her soul.....Is this a Catholic gesture? Is there another gesture I should use? Thanks and God bless....

-- Jacob (flake777@hotmail.com), January 30, 2003

Answers

Yes, if you mention the name of someone who has died, it is a very nice practice to say "God rest his/her soul," and make the sign of the Cross, though I don't think it is required. Hope this helps. :-)

-- Christine L. :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), January 30, 2003.

Every little bit helps the poor souls in Purgatory :) When blessing myself with holy water, I also sometimes try to remember the poor souls, but especially during the elevation of the Chalice! Then, I say, "O Precious Blood of Jesus, pour forth Thine Infinite Ocean of Mercy upon us poor sinners and the poor souls in purgatory." It is said that more souls are released from purgatory at the moment of consecration than any other time. Since we have no way of knowing where our dearly departed are to spend eternity, it is our hope that they at least merited purgatory, (hence, heaven) and that with our prayers, their purification time may be lessened. So keep up the prayers! And the sign of the cross! (Praying for the dead is also a spiritual work of mercy.) Pax Christi.

-- Anna <>< (FloweroftheHour@hotmail.com), February 01, 2003.