The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Feast (1969 Calendar): September 14
Greater Double (1955 Calendar): September 14

Every Good Friday we enter into the mystery of the Passion and Death of the God-Man, the 2nd Person of the Divine Trinity, meditating in silence and remorse on the Cross, the instrument of torture. It was an instrument of torture that our Savior willfully deigned to take upon Himself so that all of our offenses to Almighty God could be paid by His Precious Blood.

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14th), we recall the Cross not as an instrument of death but as a symbol of our Lord's triumph over sin, satan, and death. We recall that it is through Baptism that each one of us is baptized into the death of Christ, and by accepting our sufferings in this world, we too carry our crosses, in imitation of the Divine Redeemer, so that we may be brought to the Resurrection (Luke 9:23, 24)


Image Source: Piero della Francesca. Legend of the True Cross: Exaltation of the Cross. c. 1452-66. 390 x 747 cm. Fresco. San Francesco, Arezzo, Italy

The Collect:

O God, Who this day dost gladden us by the yearly feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: grant, we beseech Thee, that we who on earth acknowledge the mystery of Redemption wrought upon it, may be worthy to enjoy the rewards of that same Redemption in heaven. Through the same our Lord.
Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal



Exaltation of the Holy Cross Novena

Jesus, Who because of Your burning love for us willed to be crucified and to shed Your Most Precious Blood for the redemption and salvation of our souls, look down upon us and grant the petition we ask for ... (mention here)

We trust completely in Your Mercy. Cleanse us from sin by Your Grace, sanctify our work, give us and all those who are dear to us our daily bread, lighten the burden of our sufferings, bless our families, and grant to the nations, so sorely afflicted, Your Peace, which is the only true peace, so that by obeying Your Commandments we may come at last to the glory of Heaven.

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