A Celebration of Christ's Triumph
Every year on September 14th, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, also known as the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. This feast invites us to reflect on the profound mystery and significance of the cross in Christian life — not as a symbol of death and defeat, but as a sign of victory, salvation, and eternal hope.
Historical Origins of the Feast
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross traces its origins back to the 4th century. It is closely linked with two important events:
The Discovery of the True Cross: According to tradition, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, traveled to Jerusalem in 326 AD in search of the true cross upon which Jesus was crucified. After a long search, she found it buried at the site of Golgotha. The discovery of the true cross led to the building of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over the sites of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. The church was dedicated on September 14th, 335 AD, and this date became the foundation for the feast we celebrate today.
The Restoration of the Cross to Jerusalem: In the 7th century, the Persian Emperor Khosrow II captured Jerusalem and took the true cross as a trophy of war. In 628 AD, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius defeated the Persians and restored the cross to Jerusalem. It is said that Heraclius attempted to carry the cross back into the city himself but found it too heavy to bear. After removing his royal garments and walking barefoot in humility, he was able to carry the cross back into the city. This event deepened the Church’s understanding of the cross as a sign of both humility and triumph.
The Cross as a Sign of Victory and Salvation
At first glance, the cross might seem like a symbol of suffering and defeat. After all, it was an instrument of torture used by the Romans to execute criminals in the most shameful and painful way possible. But in the mystery of Christ, the cross has been transformed into something radically different — a symbol of life, victory, and redemption.
As St. Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians, Christ’s death on the cross was not the end but the beginning of His glorification:
"He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:8-9).
In Jesus’ crucifixion, God took the world’s greatest act of violence and turned it into the world’s greatest act of love. By embracing the cross, Jesus defeated the powers of sin and death, offering us the gift of eternal life.
The Cross in Our Daily Lives
For Christians, the cross is not just a historical object or symbol but a central part of our spiritual journey. Jesus calls each of us to take up our own crosses daily and follow Him:
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23).
This call to carry the cross is an invitation to unite our sufferings, challenges, and sacrifices with those of Christ. The cross reminds us that love requires sacrifice, and that true victory often comes through surrender. When we embrace the crosses in our own lives — whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual — we share in Christ’s redemptive work and are drawn closer to Him.
The Cross as a Source of Healing
The cross is also a powerful symbol of healing. Just as the Israelites in the desert were healed by looking upon the bronze serpent raised by Moses (Numbers 21:4-9), we too are healed by looking upon the cross of Christ with faith. The crucified Christ offers us healing from the wounds of sin, despair, and brokenness.
On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we are invited to gaze upon the cross and remember that in Christ’s wounds, we find our healing. As we reflect on the cross, we can ask for the grace to trust in the power of Christ’s love to transform even the darkest moments of our lives.
Learning from the Cross: St. Edith Stein’s Insight
In addition to being a source of healing, the cross is also a source of profound wisdom. Many saints and theologians have meditated on the cross as a wellspring of divine understanding. One such saint is St. Edith Stein, also known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She famously said:
"The world is in flames: the battle between Christ and the Antichrist has broken into the open. If you decide for Christ, it could cost you your life. Contemplate the Lord, who hangs before you on the wood, because He was obedient unto death, and learn from Him how to make the offering of your life. You will learn it in the school of the cross."— St. Edith Stein, Letter to Sister Willibrord, 1939
A Prayerful Reflection on the Cross
As we celebrate this feast, let us take time to reflect on the cross and its meaning for our lives:
Gratitude: We thank God for the immense love shown through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, a love that knows no bounds.
Humility: Like Emperor Heraclius, we are reminded that only when we approach the cross in humility can we truly bear its weight.
Hope: The cross reminds us that no matter how heavy the burdens we carry, they are not the end of the story. Christ’s resurrection transforms the cross into a sign of hope and new life.
Conclusion
On this Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, let us not only look to the cross for comfort and healing but also for wisdom and strength. As St. Edith Stein reminds us, the cross is a school — a place where we learn the deepest truths about life, love, and sacrifice. May we be open to the lessons it offers, trusting that through the cross, Christ is leading us to new life.
"We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world."
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