# The Sign Language/Chapter 20

APPENDIX
DISTINCTIVELY CATHOLIC SIGNS
APPROVED BY CATHOLIC DEAF-MUTE CONFERENCE
REV. FATHER F. A. MOELLER, S. J., Chairman
INTRODUCTION
Since a good signer knows how, by skillful combination, to make his ideas clear with even a limited number of signs, many signs perhaps desired on the following list are not given.
Signs in common use, or given in Long's Dictionary, or in the Dictionary by a Sister of St. Joseph, which sufficiently express the Catholic idea, are not given in the list, for instance, the sign for "Lord."
Where several signs are in common use, but only one expresses the Catholic idea, that sign is the only one given, e. g., the sign for "Church."
Where signs have been appropriated for common use so that they are no longer distinctive, a new sign has been invented, e. g., a sign for "Priest."
Proper names should, as a rule, be spelled.
CATHOLIC SIGNS
Abbe de l'Epee.—"Priest," followed by the sign for "Sword."
Absolution (Sacramental).—Blessed, forgiveness.
Abstinence.—The upward pointing thumb of the right "A" hand is drawn over the mouth from left to right. XXIX, 427.
Adam.—The thumb point of the closed right hand is thrown up and touched to the right side of the forehead.
Advent.—Jesus, approaching, time.
Adore.—The open palms from both sides of the head are brought in an attitude of prayer, while the head bows reverently. XXIX, 428.
Advocate.—Prayer, friend.
Altar (for Mass)—Mass, table.
Angelus.—Angel, prayer.
Apostles.—Twelve, sent.
Archbishop.—Right "A" hand is raised to about the level of the forehead. Follow with the sign for "Bishop." (Chief-bishop.)
Ash Wednesday.—Draw a cross on the forehead with the closed tips of the "9" hand. XXIX, 429.
Atonement.—Penance-offer, or the signs for "Make" and "Satisfaction." XXIX, 430.
Baptism.—The "W" hand is tilted over the head as if pouring water.
Benediction (of the Blessed Sacrament).—With both hands closed as if holding the "Monstrance," trace the form of a cross. XXIX, 431.
Bethlehem.—Jesus, birth, city.
Bible.—Holy Book. New Testament.—New Holy Book. Old Testament.—Old Holy Book.
Bishop.—The third finger is carried to the lips as if kissing the ring. XXIX, 432.
Brother (Religious).—Trace a falling collar on the breast with the separated thumb and index finger of the right hand. XXIX, 433.
Candlemas.—Blessed, candle, day.
​Cardinal.—Red, bishop.
Catechism.—Catholic, truth, book.
Charity.—Same as "Love."
Christmas.—Jesus, birth, day.
Church.—The "C" hand rests on the back of the closed left hand, i. e., built on a rock. XXIX, 433½.
Communion (Holy).—Make the sign for "Eucharist" and then with the right index finger touch the breast over the heart.
Communion (of Saints).—Same as "Union."
Conceived.—Received, life.
Confession (Sacramental).—Same as "Penance" Sacrament).
Confirmation.—A cross is traced on the forehead with the thumb of the open right hand, followed by a slight blow with the right palm on the right cheek. XXIX, 434.
Contrition.—Same as "Sorrow."
Crucifix.—"Jesus" and a cross made before you by crossing the index fingers. XXIX, 435.
Crucify.—The touching of the left palm with the right index finger is followed by a hammering blow on the left palm with the right "S" hand. Repeat the same for the other hand and extend both arms. XXIX, 436.
Dispensation.—Law, excuse.
Disciples.—Followers of Jesus.
Easter.—Both "E" hands are held downwards and then by a twist of the wrist they are turned upwards and raised. XXIX, 439.
Ephpheta.—A St. Andrew's Cross is traced with the outward right "E" hand in space before the body, as on a banner. XXIX, 437.
Eternity.—The outward right "E" hand traces successive verticle circles.
Evangelist (Writer of the Gospels).—Holy, writer.
Eve.—The thumb point of the right "A" hand is thrown upwards and touches the right cheek, indicating the first woman. XXIX, 438.
Examination (of Conscience).—With the right "E" hand facing you, trace small circles on the forehead and follow with the sign for "Conscience." XXIX, 440.
Extreme Unction.—With the thumb of the right "A" hand trace a cross on the eyelids. XXIX, 441.
​Eucharist.—With the thumb and right index finger of the "9" hand trace a cross before the lips. XXIX, 442.
Fast.—Draw the thumb of the right "F" hand along the lips from left to right. XXIX, 443.
Fortitude.—Patient, suffering, or the sign for "Brave."
Gentile.—Not, Jew.
Gospel.—Jesus', story.
Grace.—The gathered finger tips of the right hand are lowered over the head and then spread, without, however, touching the head.
Grace (Sanctifying).—Holy-making, grace. XXIX, 444.
Grace (Actual).—Helping grace.
Hell.—Eternal, fire.
Heresy.—False, faith.
Holy Orders.—The thumb of the right "A" hand is run along the thumb and forefinger of the open left hand and back again so as to finish at the thumb point. Do the same for the other hand. XXIX, 445.
Hypocrite.—False, friend.
Immaculate Conception.—With the right index finger trace a circle around the crown of the head and then drop the arms at full length, palms outward. XXIX, 446.
Indulgence.—Punishment, forgiven, or with the "P" hand as used for "Purgatory" make a rotary rubbing-out motion on the left palm.
Jerusalem.—Holy, city.
Jesuits.—Sign S. J.
Latin.—Draw the thumb point of the right "L" hand from the forehead to the tip of the nose. XXIX, 447.
Lent.—The thumb of the right "L" hand is drawn along the lower lip from left to right. XXX, 448.
Limbo.—Resting place.
Mary.—With right "M" hand trace a verticle circle before the forehead. XXX, 449.
Mary (Virgin).—With right "V" hand trace a verticle circle before the forehead and follow with the sign for "Mary." XXX, 450.
Mass.—Right and left "F" hands meet, and are then elevated, as at the Consecration. XXX, 451.
Minister.—Protestant-preacher.
Miracle.—Wonder, work.
​Mission.—Right "M" hand pressed over the heart is followed by the sign for God. XXX, 452.
Mystery.—Hidden, truth.
Nun.—With open hands trace a veil from head to shoulder. XXX, 453.
Pope.—The finger tips of both hands are joined over the head in three successive heights, indicating the triple crown. XXX, 455.
Purgatory.—With the right "P" hand trace a small circle on the upturned palm of the left and then rest the second finger of the "P" hand in the center of the left palm. XXX, 457.
Penance (in general).—Imitate scourging the left elbow.
Penance (Sacrament).—The fingers of both right hands crossed are held to the right ear as if forming a screen. XXX, 454.
Pilate.—Roman governor.
Precepts (of the Church).—Church, laws.
Priest.—Both "F" hands are brought together as at the "Oremus." (The closed thumb and index fingers of the "F" hand denote consecrated hands and "F" is also the initial of "Father.") XXX, 456.
Protestant.—The first and second fingers of the right hand are thrown against the verticle palm of the left hand.
Rector.—After the sign for priest follow with the sign for "Rule."
Redemptorist.—Sign C. SS. R.
Religion.—The "R" hand is moved from the heart heavenward.
Retreat (Spiritual).—The "R" hand is placed on the forehead and on the lips. XXX, 458.
Rosary.—Both hands having the thumbs and indices closed, meet and are then drawn apart horizontally while the thumbs and indices opening and closing imitate the counting of the beads. XXX, 459.
Sacrament.—Same sign as for "Grace," but the lowered hand touches the head. XXX, 460.
Saint.—The palm of the right hand sliding over the upturned palm of the left hand finishes in an "S" hand. XXX, 461.
Saint Joseph.—The sign for "Saint" is followed by the little finger of the right hand tracing a "J" on the palm of the left hand. XXX, 462.
​Saint John.—The same as the preceding, except that the "J" is traced on the back of the left hand.
Sanctifying.—Making, holy.
Scapular.—The index fingers draw an imaginary string from the shoulders meeting at the breast. XXX, 463.
Sin.—Law, broken.
Sin (Mortal).—Large, sin.
Sin (Venial).—Small, sin.
Sloth.—Soul, laziness.
Sodality.—Same as "Society," or trace with the right thumb and index apart, a badge downward over the heart.
Stations.—Holy, cross, way.
Statue.—Trace with the thumbs of the "A" hands the outlines of a figure.
Supernatural.—From heaven.
Tabernacle.—Eucharist dwelling.
Temperance.—The vertical open right hand is passed through the middle fingers of the left, palm towards you, followed by the sign for path, indicating the middle way. XXX, 464.
Testament.—See "Bible."
Trespass.—Same as for "Sin;" or make the sign for "Offend," i. e., the indices of both hands are made to collide in an upward motion at the height of the breast. XXX, 465.
Trinity.—Encircle the right "3" hand with the thumb and middle finger of the left, and then draw the right hand downward through the encircling fingers and exhibit the index finger of the left hand, i. e., three in one. XXX, 466.
Vow.—Promise to God.
Plate XXIX.
Plate XXX.