Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Stored in Cargo: Exaltation of the Holy Cross
| Liturgical Feast | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | September 14 |
| Rank | Feast |
| Type | Fixed |
| Season | Ordinary Time |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre |
| Countries | Universal |
| Dioceses | |
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the feast in the Roman Rite that commemorates both the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena in 320 and its recovery from the Persians by Emperor Heraclius in 629. Celebrated annually on September 14 according to the General Roman Calendar, it falls within Ordinary Time and invites the faithful to venerate the instrument of salvation. The feast is universal but not a Holy Day of Obligation.
According to the *General Roman Calendar* (2002 edition), the Exaltation ranks as a feast, taking precedence over the weekday. The Mass uses red vestments symbolizing Christ’s Passion, with proper texts in the Missale Romanum emphasizing victory through the Cross. The Gloria is not sung on this feast.
The current observance stems from Jerusalem’s ancient liturgy, later adopted in Rome and formalized after the 7th-century recovery of the relic. It stands alongside the Good Friday veneration as a principal Cross-centered celebration in the liturgical year.
Liturgical observance
The Mass employs red vestments. The Lectionary prescribes Numbers 21:4b–9 (the bronze serpent), Philippians 2:6–11 (Christ’s self-emptying), and John 3:13–17 (the Son of Man lifted up). Missale Romanum (editio typica tertia ed.). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. 2002. Lectionary for Mass. III. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 2002.
The Preface of the Holy Cross is proper. Veneration of a crucifix or relic of the True Cross is permitted but not mandated in the universal rite; local dioceses may include the Adoration of the Cross as on Good Friday. The Liturgy of the Hours uses the hymn Vexilla Regis prodeunt.
History
Evidence suggests the dedication of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre on September 13–14, 335, included display of the newly discovered Cross, initiating an annual Jerusalem commemoration. The Catholic Encyclopedia. 4. Robert Appleton Company. 1908. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04517a.htm. After Khosrau II seized the relic in 614, Heraclius recovered it in 629 and restored it to Jerusalem on September 14, merging the two events into one feast.
The observance reached Rome by the 7th century via the Gelasian Sacramentary. Pope Sergius I (687–701) introduced public veneration of the Cross on this date. The 1969 reform retained September 14 without change to rank or date."Mysterii Paschalis". Vatican. 1969-02-14. https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19690214_mysterii-paschalis.html. This reflects universal Roman Rite observance; Eastern churches celebrate the Exaltation with greater solemnity, often including processions.
Theological significance
The feast proclaims the Cross as the sign of redemption and paradox of glory through suffering. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “The Cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the ‘one mediator between God and men’” (CCC 618). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. 1997.
John 3:14–15 links the bronze serpent to Christ’s lifting up: “so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” Philippians 2:8–9 underscores obedience unto death and consequent exaltation. St. John Paul II stated in a 2001 homily that the Cross reveals “love stronger than death.”"Homily for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross". Vatican. 2001-09-14. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/2001/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20010914_esaltazione-santa-croce.html.
Veneration and traditions
Liturgical tradition holds that the Cross is honored through the Sign of the Cross and the Stations of the Cross. According to popular devotion, relics of the True Cross are venerated on September 14 in shrines possessing fragments, though authenticity cannot be universally confirmed.
Processions with a crucifix occur in some Hispanic and Italian communities, but are local customs. No foods or music are prescribed universally; the hymn Crux fidelis is used in the Liturgy of the Hours. The Finding of the Holy Cross on May 3 was suppressed in 1960.
Significant locations
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Shrines
Dynamic shrines
List of shrines
Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre
- Church in Jerusalem enclosing Calvary and the Tomb; built by Constantine in 335 (Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem).
- Contains the primary site of the Crucifixion; plenary indulgence on September 14 under usual conditions."Decree on Jerusalem Indulgences". Apostolic Penitentiary. 1967. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/index.htm.
Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
- 4th-century Roman basilica founded by Saint Helena; houses major relics of the Passion (Archdiocese of Rome).
- Minor basilica; indulgence granted on the feast.
Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana
- 6th-century monastery in Spain preserving the largest known fragment of the True Cross (Lignum Crucis) (Diocese of Santander).
- Declared a shrine by the Holy See; indulgence on September 14 and during Holy Year of the Cross.
References
External links
- Catechism of the Catholic Church §613–618 – Vatican
- September 14 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross – USCCB
- Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre – Custody of the Holy Land