# XXVIII: The Sign of the Cross explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on the spiritual power of making the Sign of the Cross, which stirs good thoughts, renews divine strength, and inspires courage to suffer and act. The sign also repels hateful spirits and is sensed by a distant saint, though its source remains unknown.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Church and Tradition

The Sign of the Cross is a traditional Christian gesture that renews faith and repels evil.

### Suffering and Humility

The sign inspires courage 'to suffer and to do,' linking humility with action.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who draws the Holy Sign and experiences renewed courage.

### Some lonely Saint

A distant saint who perceives the fresh odor of the Sign, though unaware of its origin.

## Key lines

> Whene'er across this sinful flesh of mine I draw the Holy Sign, All good thoughts stir within me, and renew Their slumbering strength divine; Till there springs up a courage high and true To suffer and to do.

Whenever I make the Sign of the Cross on my sinful body, it awakens virtuous thoughts and restores their dormant spiritual power, giving me genuine courage to endure hardship and take action.

_The act of crossing oneself is portrayed as a catalyst for spiritual renewal and fortitude._

> And who shall say, but hateful spirits around, For their brief hour unbound, Shudder to see, and wail their overthrow? While on far heathen ground Some lonely Saint hails the fresh odour, though Its source he cannot know.

Who can deny that malicious spirits, temporarily unleashed, tremble and lament their defeat at the sight of the Sign? Meanwhile, a solitary saint in a distant pagan land senses its fragrance, even without understanding where it comes from.

_The Sign of the Cross is depicted as a weapon against evil and a mysterious comfort to the faithful far away._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/xxviii-the-sign-of-the-cross
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