Why do Catholics make the sign of the cross every time they pass by a church?
Praying the Sign of the Cross as we pass by a Catholic Church acknowledges our belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist that is stored in the tabernacle. Tabernacle, tabernaculum in Latin, means tent. This is the tent that the Jews put the Ten Commandments and the Ark of the Covenant. This is where God dwelt in the midst of the His people. At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Take this bread. It is my body.” Then he said, “Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.” Catholics believe this was the First Eucharist, which through some miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Catholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where the priest, acting in place of Christ, changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This is a great sacrament of thanksgiving and unity of Catholics. If any of the Body of Christ is not consumed, then it is safely stored in the tabernacle. After all of these years
