Lifted Up
An explanation of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross taken from the ORDO:
“This feast celebrates a double anniversary. In Jerusalem, Constantine erected a round church, the Anastasis, above the empty grave of Jesus, and basilica, the Martyrium; in the square between the two churches, a shrine, Calvarium, marking the place of the crucifixion. Dedicated in 335, they were destroyed by the Persians in 614. The two churches were rebuilt by Patriarch Modestus of Jerusalem c. 626 but were later destroyed by the Muslims in 1009. The present church of the Holy Sepulcher, rebuilt by the Crusaders, was dedicated in 1149. Today also commemorates the discovery of the Lord’s cross by the empress, St Helena in 320.”
You might remember just within the last five years a major restoration of the church was completed. During the renovation period, I was given a special gift that will always remain in my heart. In the sepulcher area there is just enough room for three priests to stand. You are standing just feet above the place where the body of Jesus was laid. I celebrated mass in this very special and holy place. As I celebrated mass, people would crawl up to the altar and touch their Rosaries and other medals to the surface of the altar. These Rosaries and medals were then all blessed.
I still feel chills as I think of being so close to the Lord’s actual resting place and His Resurrection.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen