Are we required to make the sign of the cross when we pass by a Catholic church?  This simple gesture—often done almost out of habit—carries a profound meaning of faith and reverence. Many Catholics do this act consciously. Crossing oneself in front of a church is not an empty tradition but an act of respect and recognition of Christ’s real presence in the Tabernacle. As we pass by, we greet Him and acknowledge that He is there,” by making the Sign of the Cross as we acknowledge that “Jesus is alive in the Eucharist.”  And as noted about, do this act of reverence with our hearts and minds, realizing that it’s a good time to say a quick prayer for peace, or for someone in need, or simply in gratitude for all that God has done for us. Some folks have appropriated this act or tradition to all things Catholic—passing by a school, a cemetery, etc. While nothing wrong with this, we should remember that when passing by a Catholic church we believe and know that Christ is present in the Tabernacle.   

Are we supposed to bless ourselves with holy water when we both enter and leave the Church? The use of holy water fonts derives from the Jewish practice of purifying oneself before entering the temple (Lev. 12-15). Holy water fonts located at the entrance of Catholic churches are meant to remind us that we were purified in baptism and to seek forgiveness (“re-purification” so to speak) of our post baptismal sins. It is certainly most appropriate, and traditional, to bless ourselves with holy water upon entering a church, but there is no absolute requirement that we do so. There also is nothing that states we cannot or should not use the holy water font on the way out of the church. While it would not be the same symbol of “entering the temple,” it could be used to remind us of our baptismal calling to live the gospel out in the world as we leave church. I did once hear from a priest that we bless ourselves with holy water to enter   into the presence of God in the Tabernacle as we come into church, but that there is no need to bless   ourselves with holy water on the “way out,” especially if you just received the Body, Blood, Soul and   Divinity of Christ in the Sacrament at Mass. Consider that an opinion. 

Why do we genuflect in Church, what does it mean, and when should we do it? According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), “A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the Holy Cross in solemn adoration during the liturgical celebration on Good   Friday until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.” (274).   

Are we supposed to bow when we recite the whole Creed at Mass? No, but…According to the GIRM, the faithful are to make a profound bow (from the waist) and   toward the altar at the following words of the Creed “by the power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.”  A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together and at the names of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Joseph and of the saint in whose   honor the Mass is being celebrated. We do not bow our heads as the priest passes by in procession, though that is a tradition, small “t,” of some people. 

Which Creed, the Nicene or the Apostles’, came first? The original creed is the threefold profession of faith in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Both creeds are modeled on this baptismal profession of faith that we still have in the Church at baptisms.   

The Council of Nicea simply adopted a baptismal creed and made it more precise to confront the Arian heresy (which in the 4th century arose to deny the Divinity of Jesus Christ). The Apostles’ Creed is probably older that the Nicene Creed, since it is based on the baptismal profession of the early Roman Church. Both creeds, however, have the same ancient origin. The Nicene Creed is definitely the more important of the two in Church history as a dogmatic definition of the faith and a frequent liturgical form.