According to legend, Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine the Great, discovered the True Cross while on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the year 326. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built by Constantine on the site of discovery, and this September 14 marks the date of that church’s dedication.
Although this feast seems out of sync with the liturgical year, it is important not to compartmentalize the great truths of our faith by calendar. The Cross is the iconic symbol of Christianity and the central teaching of Jesus, as we saw last week in the Gospel of the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Good Friday commemorates the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ, but today’s feast focuses on the Cross itself.
The cross preceded Christian times and was the feared instrument of brutal Roman punishment. In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul famously spoke of the cross as a “stumbling block to the Jews and an absurdity to the Gentiles.” But it was God’s perfect love that transformed that torturous act of cruelty into the greatest act of mercy the world has ever known. In Jesus, the cross (small “c”) became the Cross (capital “C”). As noted by Saint Paul in today’s Second Reading from Philippians:
He humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Jesus said we must take up our cross daily. How do we do that? We begin by being open to God’s infinite mercy that flows from Jesus’ selfless sacrifice. We all have our sufferings in family and in relationships. We observe and endure injustice in the world around us. These hardships, these trials, these crosses are a share in the redemptive suffering of Christ. When it comes to our personal cross, it’s easy to fall back on self-pity, anger and despair. Let us embrace our cross and transform it as Jesus did, for God’s glory and for the good of those around us.
Holy Cross Entrance Antiphon We Should Glory in the Cross (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart, and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #85
The Entrance Antiphon for Exaltation of the Holy Cross from Galatians 6:14 is the same as the one for Holy Thursday. “We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection through whom we are saved and delivered.”
Entrance Chant Take Up Your Cross (Jaime Cortez)
Breaking Bread #702
Jaime’s memorable song inspires us to follow Christ by accepting our personal cross.
Responsorial Psalm Do Not Forget the Works of the Lord (Paul Hillebrand and Tom Booth)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 314
In a rare collaboration, Paul and Tom offer a contemporary verbatim setting of Psalm 78 that is striking in its chord choices.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Mass of St. Kilian (Curtis Stephan)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 316
This acclamation verse is familiar to us as text that is utilized in the devotion of the Stations of the Cross.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts God So Loved (Ken Canedo)
Breaking Bread #149
Today’s Gospel is taken from the iconic John 3:16. This simple anthem setting is easily learned and will allow your community to profess their belief in the eternal life promised by God through his Son.
Holy Cross Communion Antiphon When I Am Lifted Up (Christopher Walker)
Communion Antiphons for SATB Choir
Let Us All Rejoice #168
OCP apologizes for not yet having a Let Us All Rejoice setting for the Holy Cross Communion Antiphon. As an alternative, here is a choral setting from Christopher Walker’s collection, Communion Antiphons for SATB Choir.
Communion Chant We Adore Your Cross (Bob Hurd and Ken Canedo)
Breaking Bread #165
This setting of the Good Friday text utilizes the familiar “Picardy” hymn tune. The verses are drawn from Saint Paul’s teaching on the Cross. “We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block and foolishness but, for those who are called, the power and wisdom of God.”
Sending Forth Hallelujah Is Our Song (Sarah Hart, Sarah Kroger, Josh Blakesley and Trey Heffinger)
Breaking Bread #175
We focused today on the Holy Cross so let us go forth from this liturgy by proclaiming our hope in the victory of our Risen Lord.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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