The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RELIGIOUS GESTURE

AMONG THE SLOVAKS, THERE IS THE CUSTOM OF THE
" CHRISTIAN BLESSING". A FATHER IS FREE TO GIVE A
BLESSING TO ANY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY ON ANY IMPORTANT
OCCASION, I.E., THE BEGINNING OF A LONG TRIP,
CHRISTMAS, EASTER, ETC. THIS BLESSING USES THE
SAME FORMULA AS THAT OF THE PRIEST( MAY THE BLESSING
OF ALMIGHTY GOD, FATHER SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT DESCEND
UPON YOU AND REMAIN WITH YOU FOREVER); HOWEVER,
INSTEAD OF SIMPLY MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH ONE'S HAND,
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS IS TRACED ON
THE PERSON'S FOREHEAD.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Date learned: 10-02-1971