A major feast in the Eastern and Roman Churches, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross commemorates the return of the relic of the true cross to Jerusalem by the Emperor Herclius of Constantinople in 629 after it had been carried off by Chosroes II, King of Persia in 614. The Emperor was wearing his kingly best including jeweled crown as he carried the cross to Mount Calvary, but was reminded that Jesus was not dressed that way when he carried it. He then quickly took off all his finery and put on sackcloth, and barefooted, carried the cross up Calvary to the church of the Holy Sepulcher from where it had been taken.
We use the sign of the cross as we begin and end our prayers as a reminder that this once sign of infamy has now become the sign of triumph. It is the sign of victory over sin and death won by our Savior who chose the worst form of execution to give us a chance to live in eternal happiness with him in heaven. We reverence the cross throughout the year, but especially on this day, as the sign of who we are, Christians, and join St. Paul in asserting: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Gal 6:14). The Marist Brothers say this daily as they put on their Marist crosses. A good prayer for all Marists.
Bro. Rene
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