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Paragraph 2. The Church - People of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Holy Spirit.
A priestly, prophetic, and royal people.
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786 Finally, the People of God shares in the royal office of Christ. He exercises his kingship by drawing all men to himself through his death and Resurrection. (cf. John 12:32) Christ, King and Lord of the universe, made himself the servant of all, for he came "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28) For the Christian, "to reign is to serve him," particularly when serving "the poor and the suffering, in whom the Church recognizes the image of her poor and suffering founder." (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium 8; cf. 36) The People of God fulfills its royal dignity by a life in keeping with its vocation to serve with Christ.
The sign of the cross makes kings of all those reborn in Christ and the anointing of the Holy Spirit consecrates them as priests, so that, apart from the particular service of our ministry, all spiritual and rational Christians are recognized as members of this royal race and sharers in Christ's priestly office. What, indeed, is as royal for a soul as to govern the body in obedience to God? And what is as priestly as to dedicate a pure conscience to the Lord and to offer the spotless offerings of devotion on the altar of the heart?
1234 The meaning and grace of the sacrament of Baptism are clearly seen in the rites of its celebration. By following the gestures and words of this celebration with attentive participation, the faithful are initiated into the riches this sacrament signifies and actually brings about in each newly baptized person.
1235 III The sign of the Cross III, on the threshold of the celebration, marks with the imprint of Christ the one who is going to belong to him and signifies the grace of the redemption Christ won for us by his cross.
2156 The sacrament of Baptism is conferred "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) In Baptism, the Lord's name sanctifies man, and the Christian receives his name in the Church. This can be the name of a saint, that is, of a disciple who has lived a life of exemplary fidelity to the Lord. The patron saint provides a model of charity; we are assured of his intercession. The "baptismal name" can also express a Christian mystery or Christian virtue.
"Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to see that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment." (Code of Canon Law, Canon 855)
2157 The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior's grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of the Cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties.
From these paragraphs in the Catechism
of the Catholic Church, we can see
that when the Catholic Christian
makes the Sign of the Cross, (he or she)
is renewing (his or her) baptism promise
to the Lord and asking Him for
the grace to live a holy, courageous
Christian life.
Besides asking for Our Lord's help,
one of my favorite habits is asking
for special help and assistance from:
Our Blessed Mother, the Doctors of the Church and (the Early Church Fathers — those
direct predecessors who followed
the Apostles). This doesn't undermine God's glory but manifest it through his saints, as the saints know they could do nothing without God's Divine Providence.
Hope this helps,
Mike
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