How a cross necklace or pin can help you stay focused on Jesus

Crosses that are worn on our clothing or necks can be helpful reminders to lead a life of virtue.Wearing a cross necklace or pin can be a very simple way to keep our soul focused on Jesus throughout the day. This is a practice adopted by many Christians, and one way to strengthen its purpose is to offer short prayers every time we see or touch it.

This is a long cherished tradition, one that can be traced at least to the 19th century, as explained in the Glories of the Catholic Church.

It cannot be expressed how much we lose, every day … by forgetting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; the remedy for which, and the easiest means to repair it, is to have some signal or visible mark to point out our neglect, and cause us to make short and frequent prayers every day: the cross, of all the rest, is the most venerable and august, and the most capable of animating us, as being the instrument of our redemption, and the badge of a Christian.

For this reason many wear a cross on their sleeves of silk or some other thread, or of two crossed pins, in memory of our crucified Lord.

There is no “fixed” type of prayer to be said when you see your cross, but it can be anything that stirs your heart. Sometimes, you may not even say a word, but look lovingly at the cross.

Say that which presents itself first, or in which you find the greatest relish, as: “O my Jesus! O my love! O my dearest Savior! my God, and my all!” Or, without saying anything, look amorously on your cross or crucifix, or kiss it, or incline your head and heart sweetly toward it.

Others will see it, which is another praiseworthy devotion.

[So] often as you look on, or kiss this signal, you intend to practice the most excellent acts of all virtues, of faith, of hope, and of love, and to pray for the living, the dying and the dead, and particularly for those you are most obliged to pray for. Some persons kiss their signal thirty-three times a day, in honor of the years of the life of our Lord.

This is one of the most simple and adaptable devotions that anyone can do, regardless of their state in life.

If you want to keep close to Jesus throughout the day, consider wearing a cross in whatever form best works for you.