Part I, Chapter I — Principal Mysteries. Sign of the Holy Cross

28. What are the truths revealed by God?

The truths revealed by God are chiefly those summarized in the Creed, or Apostles' Creed, and they are called truths of faith because we must believe them with full faith as taught by God, who neither deceives nor can be deceived.

29. What is the "Creed" or "Apostles' Creed"?

The Creed, or Apostles' Creed, is a profession of the principal mysteries and of other truths revealed by God through Jesus Christ and the Apostles, and taught by the Church.

30. What is a mystery?

A mystery is a truth above, but not contrary to, reason, which we believe because God has revealed it.

31. What are the principal mysteries of the Faith professed in the Creed?

The principal mysteries of the Faith professed in the Creed are two: the Unity and Trinity of God; the Incarnation, Passion, and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

32. Do we profess and express the two principal mysteries of the Faith also in another way?

We also profess and express the two principal mysteries of the Faith by the Sign of the Cross, which for this reason is the sign of the Christian.

33. How is the Sign of the Cross made?

The Sign of the Cross is made by raising the right hand to the forehead, saying: In the name of the Father; then to the breast, saying: and of the Son; then to the left shoulder and to the right, saying: and of the Holy Spirit; and ending with the word Amen.

34. In the Sign of the Cross, how do we express the two principal mysteries of the Faith?

In the Sign of the Cross, by the words we express the Unity and Trinity of God, and by the figure of the cross we express the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

35. Is it useful to make the Sign of the Cross?

It is most useful to make the Sign of the Cross often and devoutly, because it is an outward act of faith that revives this virtue in us, overcomes human respect and temptations, and obtains for us graces from God.

36. When is it good to make the Sign of the Cross?

It is always good to make the Sign of the Cross, but especially before and after every act of religion, before and after meals and rest, and in dangers of soul and body.