Tomorrow is the Exaltation of the Cross: Be wary of "cross-less" spirituality

There are many christian spiritualities out there that focus on earthly happiness. This happens even in Catholic circles where the Cross has been rejected and neglected. Yet, we cannot imitate Christ without understanding the Cross.

Much of what Christ taught - by word and example - was that we show our love by how we treat God and neighbor. This often involves "soft sacrifices." Loving one's neighbor can come at an inconvenience - a small cross. If you have a choice between watching the football game and helping a neighbor who asks for help, one of those choices will involve some sacrifice. If it comes down to sleeping in, going to the mall; or, going to Mass on Sunday to give God his due - it is easy to see that the sacrifice of giving time to God is the cross in this case.

We have been told how much God loves us for decades. Now, it's time for us to understand how to love him back. He doesn't want blood sacrifices as we read about in the Old Testament. But we cannot love God and neighbor without picking up our daily crosses.

Anyone who would present the christian faith as one devoid of the cross is a false teacher.

With tomorrow being the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, consider finding a Mass if you can find a morning or evening Mass near you. 


At Assumption Grotto September 13-16
(Archbishop Vigneron will celebrate Mass on Saturday, September 15 in the morning)

There are some special events happening this weekend at Grotto starting tonight and ending Sunday by the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross (ORC not OSC) - the order of priests and sisters who help out at Assumption Grotto and give retreats.  Here is the schedule.  You can see the PDF for more information on all of this - click here.

Thursday, September 13

6:30 pm: Arrival of the relics Our Lady of the Assumption

Confessions

7:00 pm: Holy Mass followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

8:00 pm to 9:00 pm: Meditations on the Passion of Our Lord – favorite devotion of St. Theotonius

Benediction

Individual Veneration of the Relics

Friday, September 14 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross –
Titular Feast of the Order

8:15 am: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church

2:00 - 3:00 pm: Meditations on the Passion of Our Lord (favorite devotion of St. Theotonius)

Eucharistic Benediction and reposition

6:30 pm: Solemn Latin Vespers

7:00 PM - Holy Mass of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

 

Prayers in honor of St. Theotonius and the Veneration of the Relics

Saturday, September 15 – Our Lady of Sorrows

8:15 am to 9:00 am: Confessions

8:30 am: Holy Rosary

9:00 am: Holy Mass presided by
Most Rev. Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit

 

Followed by prayers in honor of St. Theotonius and the Veneration of the Relics 10:30 am: PowerPoint presentation on the life of St. Theotonius and the Order of Canons Regular of

the Holy Cross in the Gym

Sunday, September 16 – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

12 noon: Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving of newly ordained priest, Fr. John Eudes Brohl, ORC

Veneration of the Relics followed by Reception in Gym (opportunity to receive the individual blessing by Fr. John Eudes).  PowerPoint presentation on the life of St. Theotonius and the Order

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

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