Saintly Saturday - Exultation of the Holy Cross


This Saturday, instead of featuring a saint, we are sharing one of the special feast days in the Catholic Church...The Exultation of the Holy Cross, celebrated on September 14th.

St. Helena, (mother of Constantine, Roman emperor) in the 4th century, went to Jerusalem searching for holy locations from Christ's life. At the time, Constantine was leading an excavation in preparation for building the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. During this excavation, three crosses were found. A dying woman touched one of the crosses & was healed immediately. 

Legends says that it was the cross on which our Lord was crucified. Therefore, a tradition began which continues to this day...Veneration of the Cross. On Good Friday each years Catholic churches around the world hold a special service where parishioners can approach the cross with a kiss, touch, or other prayerful acknowledgment. Veneration is also held at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre each September in honor of the day the Cross was discovered.

The cross is a universal symbol of Christianity. It reminds us of Jesus...His suffering, His great love for us, His victory over sin & death, & of our salvation. Human sin began with the fruit of a tree in the Garden of Eden. Humans received redemption through the tree on which our Lord was crucified. Therefore, we must always look to the Cross with love & Thanksgiving towards our Savior, Jesus Christ. 



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