The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 September) ~ Dom Prosper Guéranger

About this sermon

Celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with this September 14 reading from The Liturgical Year by Dom Prosper Guéranger. The Cross is the victorious standard of Christ and the instrument through which Our Lady crushes the serpent’s head. This reading traces its triumph through Christian history—from Constantine’s heavenly vision and victory at the Milvian Bridge to Saint Helena’s discovery of the True Cross and the dedication of the sacred basilicas at Calvary and the Holy Sepulchre. It also recounts how the Persian king Chosroes captured Jerusalem and carried away the Cross. After prayer, fasting, and military victory, Emperor Heraclius recovered the sacred relic and returned it to Jerusalem. Yet dressed in imperial splendor, he could not carry it through the gate of Calvary. Only after removing his royal garments and imitating Christ’s poverty and humility could he continue. The lesson is timeless: honoring the Cross requires more than words or ceremony. As Saint Sophronius teaches, the true worshipper of the sacred wood carries that worship into his deeds. Topics include: Constantine’s vision: “In this sign, conquer” The Battle of the Milvian Bridge Saint Helena and the discovery of the True Cross The dedication of the Holy Sepulchre The relationship between Cross and Resurrection Saint Benedict’s monastic Lent The Persian capture of Jerusalem Heraclius’s recovery of the Cross Humility, penance, fasting, and spiritual warfare The Cross as the standard of Christian victory O precious Cross, our glory and our love, strengthen us in every trial and save us when the Son of Man comes in majesty to judge the world. Subscribe for more readings from The Liturgical Year, traditional Catholic spirituality, feast-day history, and lives of the saints. 0:00 Introduction 0:15 The precious Cross honored throughout the world 0:22 Our Lady and the triumph of the Cross 0:38 The Cross as the standard of God’s armies 0:54 “By this sign, thou shalt conquer” 1:02 The persecution of Christians ends 1:26 Constantine prepares to enter Italy 2:04 The Cross appears in the heavens 2:19 In hoc signo vinces 2:27 Constantine approaches Rome 2:42 Victory at the Milvian Bridge 2:58 The hidden Cross announces victory 3:15 Eastern celebration of the feast 3:30 Saint Helena discovers the True Cross 3:47 Dedication of the basilicas at Calvary 4:03 An ancient pilgrim describes the celebration 4:25 Bishops and pilgrims gather in Jerusalem 4:48 The Anastasis and the Holy Cross 5:03 Cross and Resurrection united 5:35 The feast develops in the West 6:08 Saint Benedict’s monastic Lent 6:23 Carrying devotion into our deeds 6:39 The Persian capture of Jerusalem 7:04 Heraclius begins his campaign 7:30 Prayer, fasting, and victory 8:12 The True Cross is restored 8:21 Heraclius carries it toward Calvary 8:39 The emperor is miraculously stopped 8:55 A lesson in Christlike humility 9:21 The Cross against future enemies 10:00 Victory through the weakness of Calvary 10:09 The Cross as Europe’s rallying standard 10:33 Chivalry and the sign of the Cross 10:49 The Cross through Christian history 11:06 Opposition to the sacred sign 11:43 Final prayer to the adorable Cross https://sensusfidelium.com/the-liturgical-year-dom-prosper-gueranger/september/september-14-the-exaltation-of-the-holy-cross/ #ExaltationOfTheHolyCross #FeastOfTheHolyCross #CatholicFeastDay #HolyCross #CatholicHistory #TrueCross #CatholicFaith #CatholicChurch #ChristianHistory #InHocSignoVinces #StHelena #Constantine #CatholicTradition 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Holiness
• Jesus Christ