Holy Cross Day

Holy Cross Day (September 14)

When we travel on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, one of the most sacred sites is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Christians from around the world crowd the small space and wait for a brief moment to touch the cross of Jesus. On pilgrimage to Ireland one can see relics of the “true cross” in the museum in Dublin. One may debate the authenticity of these relics, however the meaning of the cross rests deep in our Christian belief and worship.

We can thank Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena that these “ancient stones” are venerated to this day. Constantine was convinced that the God of the Christians guided his victories and his leadership. Helena was a faithful Christian.

In her later years, after much family strife, Helena made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, which had been under Roman rule for centuries. The site of Calvary at the time of the crucifixion of Christ was outside the city walls, but had been buried during Roman rule.

Constantine appointed his mother to oversee excavations of Golgotha where legend holds that she discovered relics believed to be the true cross and the location of Christ’s tomb. Helena oversaw the construction of her son’s shrine over these sites, two buildings, a large basilica for the Liturgy of the Word and a circular church with an altar at the site of Jesus’ tomb for the Liturgy of the Table. At that time, the faithful could see Calvary’s hill and venerated the cross on Good Friday and prayed there daily.

Emperor Constantine dedicated these buildings on September 14, 335.

Over the centuries, this became the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a sacred pilgrimage site and the last stop on the Via Dolorosa when we walk the Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem.

What does the cross mean for us Christians? We proudly wear our crosses. Crosses decorate our homes. Jesus asks us to take up His cross and follow Him. The Way of the Cross is not always easy. We may face suffering and pain, but we remember Christ’s suffering on the cross was not the end. We are Easter people; Christ’s resurrection, the empty cross, reminds us of our redemption and of our responsibility to love as Jesus loved, to share His Good News with all.

Let us pray the prayer for Holy Cross Day:

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen

God’s peace,

Judy Q+