Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Anniversary of the Death of Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 2:30-32 Qualities of the Abbot

Mass: Nb 21:4b-9; Resp Ps 78; Ph 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17

By Your Cross You have redeemed the world.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CRUCIFIED,

PRAY FOR US.

At the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.

(Ph 2:10-11)

Welcome to the Feast! "We are celebrating the feast of the cross which drove away darkness and brought in the light. As we keep the feast, we are lifted up with the crucified Christ, leaving behind us earth and sin so that we may gain the things above" (From a discourse by Saint Andrew of Crete, bishop, in Office of Readings, September 14). God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life (Jn 3:16). Alleluia!

Nostalgia hit early this morning. From early adult years and beyond, I was always involved in the local parish, wherever I found myself. One of my favorite devotions, that started as a youth in a Catholic school, was participation in the Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent. One of the memorable parts was at the beginning of each station when we would genuflect and say, "We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world." Indeed, "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18).

Let us be about picking up our crosses and following Him, Jesus, Lord and King of heaven and earth.

As Christians, we must "be reborn from the pierced side of the crucified Jesus," that "we might be freed from the poison of death." ... "By God's grace," may we "become ever more fully Christian: joyful witnesses of new life, love, and peace."

(Pope Francis, homily, Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Nur-Saltan, Kazakhstan, September 14, 2022)

SAINT HELENA,

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: This is one of my favorites, taken February 10, 2019, a date when we commemorate Saint Scholastica, the twin sister of Saint Benedict. May Christ bring us all together to everlasting life.

© Gertrude Feick 2022