The answer to the question consists of two key aspects: historical tradition and religious interpretation, in which the sign of the cross among Catholics is perceived as a reminder of Christ’s sufferings.

The Dual Legacy of the Cross

The answer to the question consists of two key aspects: historical tradition and religious interpretation, in which the sign of the cross among Catholics is perceived as a reminder of Christ’s sufferings.

First, historically it has developed that two different traditions for making the sign of the cross have formed in the Christian world. As noted in one source, “If an Orthodox person makes the sign on themselves from the right shoulder to the left, then for Catholics the sequence of movement is from left to right, and the space in front of which they make the sign is from right to left” (source: link txt). This difference reflects an established tradition, the details of which have been lost due to a lack of documented historical evidence; however, the difference itself demonstrates the distinct approaches to the gesture within the context of liturgical practice.

Secondly, from a religious perspective, the Catholic way of making the sign of the cross holds deep symbolism: it serves as a reminder of the sufferings and sacrifice of Christ. As stated in another source, “the sign of the cross among Catholics is a reminder of the sufferings of Christ” (source: link txt). In other words, choosing this specific sequence of movements, where the left shoulder concludes the gesture, emphasizes the focus on the passion aspect of the faith, drawing attention back to the central event in Christian history.

Thus, the historical differences in performing the sign of the cross are derived from established traditions within the Christian world, while the religious meaning is intentionally linked to the memory of Christ’s sufferings, determining the use of this specific sequence of hand movements among Catholics.

Supporting citation(s):"How and when did the two different traditions of making the sign of the cross emerge?

Due to a lack of historical data, it is impossible to answer. The Orthodox, when making the sign on themselves, move the hand from the right shoulder to the left. When an Orthodox person makes the sign on another person or on the space in front of them, the hand moves from left to right. Catholics perform signum crucis from left to right, and the space in front of them from right to left." (source: link txt)

"The sign of the cross made by the Orthodox contains the main dogmas of Christianity; and the sign of the cross made by Catholics is a remembrance of the sufferings of Christ." (source: link txt)