Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/435

 Saviour. "While others,"  says  a pious  author, “ boast of  ribbons  and  stars,  which  are  worn  and gazed on  because  they  are  badges  of  worldly  honour, conferred by  the  great  ones  of  the  earth,  you  should think it  the  greatest  happiness,  the  greatest  honour, to bear  that  holy  ensign  of  the  King  of  kings,  which is expressive  of  his  greatest  mysteries.”  Therefore, far from  refraining  from  this  sacred  sign,  which  would point you  out  as  a Christian  to  utter  strangers  in  the furthest quarter  of  the  globe,  you  should  always make it  openly  and  without  hesitation. Remember, however, that  you  are  to  be  guided  in  this  most  particularly by  prudence,  which  should  direct  and  accompany every  action  to  make  it  virtuous. You cannot make the  sign  of  the  Cross  too  frequently,  or  too openly at  present,  nor  perhaps  in  future,  if  you  be  in the  bosom  of  a Catholic  and  pious  family; because you will  be  sure  of  that  sacred  sign  being  duly reverenced; but there  are  occasions  in  which  it  would be more  prudent  to  refrain  from  making  the  sign  of the  Cross  outwardly, as  often  as  you  are  now  accustomed to  make  it. For example,  to  make  the  sign  of the  Cross  when  the  clock  strikes,  as  at  home  you  are in the  habit  of  doing,  may  perhaps  expose  that  sacred sign, as  likewise  the  cause  of  piety  in  general,  to laughter  and  derision. Therefore, on  that  account, through respect  for  the  sign  of  -the  Cross,  and  not from any  apprehension  of  drawing  ridicule  on  yourself, you would  do  letter  to  confine  yourself  to  that  elevation of  heart  to  God,  and  simple  thought  of  the passion which  should  always  accompany  the outward sign of  the  Cross,  to  make  it  meritorious  and  salutary. Be careful,  however,  not  to  confound  those occasions with  others  in  which  your  not  making  the sign of  the  Cross  may  be  taken,  if  not  for  a denial