Hello all, Happy feast day to all born, baptized and married today Happy feast day to all Deacons, Seminarians, Priests, Bishops, Monks, Nuns, Religious Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus. Happy feast day to all Christians, especially Catholics who make the sign of the cross at all times and frequently kiss the crucifix before saying their Holy Rosary Happy feast day to all those who frequently pray the Stations of the Cross also known as the Way of the Cross Happy feast day to all those dedicated to the Cross of Christ Jesus Happy feast day to all Catholic Missionaries Today (September 14) marks the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. The Feast is also known as the “Feast of the Triumph of the Cross” This feast is called in Greek Ὕψωσις τοῦ Τιμίου Σταυροῦ (literally, Raising Aloft of the Precious Cross). In Latin it is called Exaltatio Sanctae Crucis (literally, Raising Aloft of the Holy Cross. (The word Exaltatio is sometimes translated as Exaltation, at other times, it is translated, as Triumph.) The Feast of the Cross (today’s feast day) commemorates the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The cross itself is celebrated as the instrument of salvation won by the second person of the Blessed Trinity (Jesus Christ) In the Christian liturgical calendar, there are several different Feasts of the Cross, all of which commemorate the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus. While Good Friday is dedicated to the Passion of Christ and the Crucifixion, today we celebrate the cross itself, as the instrument of salvation. In Roman Catholic liturgical observance, red vestments are worn at church services conducted on this day. The public veneration of the Cross of Christ originated in the fourth century, according to early accounts. The miraculous discovery of the cross on September 14, 326, by Saint Helen, mother of Constantine, while she was on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, is the origin of the tradition of celebrating the “Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross” on this date. The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross especially commemorates three historical events, including the victory of Constantine in the Battle of the Milvan Bridge in the year 312, and most especially the founding of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great and the subsequent building of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on the sight of Our blessed Lords crucifixion. On this day, we focus on the meaning of the Cross, for upon the Cross was built Christendom, upon the Cross our salvation rests and mankind finds hope. ------------------------------------------------- The First Historical event: Constantines victory through the Cross marked the beginning of the end for the widespread practice of idolatry in the West and the eventual rising of the standard of the Cross in Rome. During the pivotal Battle of the Milvian Bridge, at about noon, Emperor Constantine was said to have seen a vision of the Cross, brilliant, appearing in the sky above the sun with a promise from Heaven that he would conquer under the banner of Christ. Constantine, along with his host of troops who also saw the vision, were struck by awe and amazement at this miracle in the sky. That night, as he pondered this sign, Constantine received Heavens instruction to command his forces to mark on their shields the sign of Christs Cross. After Constantines great victory, the great Roman persecution of Christians ceased, and the Church was allowed to flourish, allowing the civilizing influence of Christianity to preserve civilization from the hordes of barbarians who would soon overrun Rome, and would spawn great monasteries and missions by which the sweet yoke of Christ would be spread throughout Europe and throughout the world. ------------------------------------------ The second historical event: Today’s Feast more particularly commemorates the finding of the True Cross by Saint Helena (whose feast day was celebrated on the 18th of August) She was the Mother of Constantine and a devout Catholic She went to Jerusalem in search of this most holy relic (the true cross of the crucifixion of Christ Jesus). It is said that the enemies of the Cross of Christ had erected a shrine to the goddess Venus on the site of the Crucifixion. Saint Helena was divinely directed to come to this spot, to direct her forces to cast down the shrine and excavate, finding three crosses along with the tablet directed by Pilate to be hung upon the Cross: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. The bishop of Jerusalem identified which of the three was the true Cross. He reportedly directed the three crosses to be brought to a woman who had a lengthy illness and was at the point of death. Two of the crosses were brought to her, with no effect. When the true Cross upon which our Savior hung was brought to her, she was instantly cured of her sickness. ------------------------------------------ The Third Historical event: The subsequent building of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on the sight of Our blessed Lords crucifixion. Saint Helena had a magnificent church built over the place where our Lord was crucified and buried. Constantine later built the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the site of her discovery of the cross. On this same pilgrimage she ordered two other churches built: one in Bethlehem near the Grotto of the Nativity, the other on the Mount of the Ascension, near Jerusalem Christians “exalt” (raise on high) the Cross of Christ as the instrument of our salvation. Adoration of the Cross is, thus, adoration of Jesus Christ, the God Man, who suffered and died on this Roman instrument of torture for our redemption from sin and death. The cross represents the One Sacrifice by which Jesus, obedient even unto death, accomplished our salvation. The cross is a symbolic summary of the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ — all in one image. The Cross — because of what it represents — is the most potent and universal symbol of the Christian faith. It has inspired both liturgical and private devotions: For example, the Sign of the Cross, which is an invocation of the Holy Trinity; the “little” Sign of the Cross on head, lips and heart at the reading of the Gospel; praying the Stations (or Way) of the Cross; and the Veneration of the Cross by the faithful on Good Friday by kissing the feet of the image of Our Savior crucified. Placing a crucifix (the cross with an image of Christ’s body upon it) in churches and homes, in classrooms of Catholic schools and in other Catholic institutions, or wearing this image on our persons, is a constant reminder — and witness — of Christ’s ultimate triumph, His victory over sin and death through His suffering and dying on the Cross. We remember Our Lord’s words, “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake shall find it” (Mt 10:38,39). Meditating on these words we unite ourselves — our souls and bodies — with His obedience and His sacrifice; and we rejoice in this inestimable gift through which we have the hope of salvation and the glory of everlasting life. Dying, you destroyed our death; rising you restored our life. We adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee, for by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. “Lord, by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free, you are the Saviour of the world”. ------------------------------------ Let us pray (Oremus): God our Father, in obedience to you your only Son accepted death on the Cross for the salvation of mankind. We acknowledge the mystery of the Cross on earth. May we receive the gift of redemption in heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen ------------------------------------ Let us pray that by the crucifixion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, we may in this group find the spiritual motivation to win our souls for God. Amen May we all in this group and beyond this group, Christians and non Christians alike, Catholics and non Catholics alike, be saved from the fires of hell and lifted up into heaven after our stay here on this exile. Amen May our Lord Jesus Christ, through “His Triumph of the Cross” and through “Gods Divine Mercy” strengthen our souls, open out the way for us all, and above all, intoxicate us with HIS love. Amen May Christ make us into blazing fires to enkindle the earth with the heavenly fire HE brought us. Amen Feast of the day would be communicated to you as promptly and consistently as humanly possible, by Gods grace. Jesus we love you, all we have is yours, yours we are and yours we want to be, please do with us whatever you will. Amen Jesus, Mary we love you, please save our souls. Amen God bless you and grant your heart’s desire. Amen Dying, you destroyed our death; rising you restored our life. We adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee, for by Thy Holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. “Lord, by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free, you are the Saviour of the world” For a homily on our Feast of today, please click the link below: youtube/watch?v=QVTvcaXT_s4
Posted on: Mon, 15 Sep 2014 15:44:52 +0000
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