08/08/2026
Students reminded of importance of Sign of the Cross
KOTA KINABALU: The Sign of the Cross is an important reminder for Catholics to begin every prayer by remembering God, said parish priest of St Simon Catholic Church Likas, Rev Fr Michael Modoit.
Speaking during a Student Mass at the chapel here on Aug 7, Fr Michael gave a catechesis on the significance of the Sign of the Cross, attended by students and teachers of SMJK Shan Tao and Kolej Vokasional Likas.
He said the Sign of the Cross represented one of the basic practices of the Catholic faith and reminded believers of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
“Our reflection today is about the basics of our faith. What is that basic? Making the Sign of the Cross – in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” he said in his sermon.
Referring to the Gospel reading, which mentioned the cross, Fr Michael also drew an analogy from football, noting that some players could be seen making the Sign of the Cross before taking part in a match.
He said the gesture could be seen as a reminder that the players remembered God and sought His assistance before beginning the game.
“How good that he remembers God to assist. How good that he is a believer in Jesus. How good that he is Christian, he remembers to pray,” he said.
Fr Michael stressed that the Sign of the Cross should be made properly and deliberately, rather than as a rushed or careless gesture.
He demonstrated how Catholics make the Sign of the Cross by touching the forehead, heart and both shoulders while invoking the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
He then compared the gesture to switching on an electric light.
“Do you know the light? The light cannot be lit with no switch. Can we light it without a switch? We cannot
“So we go closer to the switch, and the moment we press the button, we see the light,” he said.
Fr Michael explained that the Sign of the Cross could similarly serve as the beginning of one's prayer, helping a person focus mentally and spiritually before speaking to God.
“When we start to pray, we make the Sign of the Cross. The power of God is born spiritually inside our hearts and minds,” he said.
He encouraged the students to make the Sign of the Cross whenever they pray and to use the gesture as a reminder of the presence of God.
“Whenever you pray, make the Sign of the Cross. Remember the Father as you touch your forehead. Remember Jesus as you touch your heart. And the Holy Spirit, both sides, left and right,” he said.
Fr Michael also shared an example of a person he had observed regularly making the Sign of the Cross.
He said the person explained that making the gesture reminded her that she had prayed and had begun her prayer to the Lord.
Using the example, Fr Michael encouraged the students to make the Sign of the Cross before and after studying.
“So you study. Before you study and after you study, make the Sign of the Cross,” he said.
He reminded the students that the gesture should not be treated as merely a routine movement, but as a meaningful act that marks the beginning of prayer and turns their attention towards God.
