Our Glory: The Holy Cross

God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom the world
​ is crucified to me, and I to the world (Galatians 6:14). ~ Introit for the Exultation of the Cross

As religious women, we are consecrated to following the life of Christ most closely. Each morning as we kiss our rosary crucifix, we make our own the words of St. Paul which the Church uses to provide the spirit of this feast: "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

As the introit of the Mass sets the tone for the day's liturgy, this veneration of the sign of our salvation serves to keep ever present in our minds the spirit by which our life is to be animated, a spirit of sacrifice leading to the fullness of life and love. 

"In the different forms of life inspired by the Spirit throughout history, consecrated persons discover that the more they stand at the foot of the Cross of Christ, the more immediately and profoundly they experience the truth of God who is love." ~ St. John Paul II

The first act of a candidate upon entry is to salute the cross - may the last act of each Sister also be to salute the wounds of her Spouse!

“There is no evil to be faced that Christ does not face with us.
There is no enemy that Christ has not already conquered. There is no cross to bear
​ that Christ has not already born for us, and does not now bear with us.”~ St. John Paul II

Saint Augustine says: "Beautiful is God, the Word with God ... He is beautiful in heaven,
beautiful on earth; beautiful in the womb, beautiful in his parents' arms, beautiful in his miracles, beautiful in his sufferings; beautiful in inviting to life, beautiful in not worrying about death, beautiful in giving up his life and beautiful in taking it up again; he is beautiful on the Cross, beautiful in the tomb, beautiful in heaven. Listen to the song with understanding, and let not the weakness of the flesh distract your eyes from the splendor of his beauty." The consecrated life reflects the splendor of this love because, by its fidelity to the mystery of the Cross, it confesses that it believes and lives by the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In this way it [consecrated life] helps the Church to remain aware that the Cross is the superabundance of God's love poured out upon this world, and that it is the great sign of Christ's saving presence, especially in the midst of difficulties and trials.... Fidelity to God also inspires devotion to neighbor, a devotion which consecrated persons live out not without sacrifice by constantly interceding for the needs of their brothers and sisters, generously serving the poor and the sick, sharing the hardships of others and participating in the concerns and trials of the Church. ~ Vita Consecrata (emphasis added)