Every year on September 14, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This feast day commemorates two crucial events in Christian history: Saint Helena’s discovery of the True Cross in the 4th century, and the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem in 335 AD. More importantly, it is a day when Catholics “exalt” (honor and lift up) the Cross of Christ, rejoicing in the redemptive power of Christ’s sacrifice. The Cross, once a tool of execution and shame, is now for us the sign of Christ’s victory over sin and death.

The History and Meaning of the Feast

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross goes back to the early days of Christianity. The story starts around 320 AD with St. Helena, Emperor Constantine's mother. During her pilgrimage to Jerusalem, she found what Christians believe was the True Cross, the actual cross Jesus died on. She discovered it buried at Calvary (also called Golgotha), right where the Romans had built a pagan Temple of Venus.

Not long after, Emperor Constantine built a basilica and shrine on that site. The basilica complex, called the Martyrium and Calvarium, honored both Christ's death and His Resurrection. On September 14, 335 AD, the church was officially dedicated, and Christians turned that date into a yearly celebration. So September 14 actually marks two events: finding the True Cross and dedicating the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which sits where Jesus was crucified and buried.

“Exaltation” of the Cross

To "exalt" something means to lift it up or honor it. Historically, the feast was sometimes also called the Triumph of the Cross. By the 7th century, the celebration had spread to Rome and the wider Church. According to church history, the Cross of Christ had been kept in Jerusalem as a treasured relic after St. Helena’s discovery. In 614 AD, however, the relic was stolen by the Persians during an invasion. It was recovered and returned to Jerusalem in 629 AD by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, an event that the feast also recalls as a moment of great rejoicing. The holy wood of the Cross had been exalted once again, rescued from enemies and restored to Christendom. Ever since, Christians have continued to “lift high the Cross” as the emblem of our salvation both literally and spiritually.

From Shame to Glory

To appreciate this feast day, we need to look back at what the cross meant in the ancient world. The Romans used crucifixion as their worst punishment, saving it for slaves and the most despised criminals. It was pure brutality, designed to humiliate as much as to kill. For the first Christians, the idea of a crucified Messiah was almost impossible to accept. Their Lord had died the death of a common thief. Yet something extraordinary happened: the tool that killed Jesus became the symbol of His victory over death itself.

What changed? By dying and rising again, Jesus changed what the cross meant to the world. What Rome built for death, God used for life. As the Church's liturgy proclaims: "We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for He is our salvation, our life and our resurrection; through Him we are saved and made free." This is why Christians no longer see the cross as shameful. We lift it high because Jesus turned apparent defeat into victory. The cross that once terrified people now gives them hope. It stands at the heart of Christian faith as proof of God's love (John 3:16) and the defeat of death itself.

Keeping the Cross at the Center of Family Life

The family has always been called the "domestic church," and there are many simple ways to keep the Cross at the center of your home life.

• Display a Crucifix in Your Home: Catholics have long hung crucifixes in their homes to sanctify their living spaces. Consider placing one in your main living area or bedrooms if you haven't already. Whether you choose a simple wooden cross or something more ornate, having it blessed by a priest turns it into a sacramental that brings protection to your family.
• Wear the Cross Daily: Many Catholics wear cross necklaces or pendants as personal signs of faith. It's a simple way to keep Christ's sacrifice in mind throughout the day and can spark conversations about faith. Parents might give their children small cross necklaces when they're young, teaching them to wear their faith with love. Each time you touch or see it, offer a quick prayer: "Thank you, Jesus, for loving me on the Cross."
• Make the Cross Part of Family Prayer: Start by praying the Sign of the Cross slowly and thoughtfully before meals and bedtime. Consider gathering around a crucifix for family Rosary, connecting your prayers to Christ's sacrifice. On September 14, try a simple home veneration: place a crucifix on a table with candles and let each family member touch or kiss the cross while saying, "We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world."
• Share the Stories: Tell your children about St. Helena finding the True Cross and why it became our greatest symbol of love. Read the feast day's Gospel together, like John 3:16 or the story of Moses lifting the bronze serpent. Make the day special with hot cross buns or a cake decorated with a cross. Help your family understand why we honor the Cross with such joy.
• Keep the Cross Close: Place a small cross in your car, on your desk, or carry one in your pocket. When facing hard times, looking at a crucifix reminds us that Jesus understands our suffering and that resurrection follows the cross. Try blessing each family member with the Sign of the Cross on their forehead at bedtime or before leaving home. Let the Cross mark every part of your life: at home, at prayer, and wherever you go.

Prayers for the Feast of the Holy Cross

Finally, as we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, here are a few prayers you and your family can pray together on September 14 (and any day), asking the Lord to help you take up your cross and to ever glory in His Cross:

O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race, grant, we pray, that we, who have known his mystery on earth, may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven. Amen.
– Collect Prayer from the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Amen.
– Acclamation of Adoration of the Holy Cross (traditional prayer)

Lord Jesus Christ, through Your suffering on the Cross, grant me strength to bear my cross without fear or dread, and give me the grace that I may follow You. Amen.
– Prayer to Take Up One’s Cross and Follow Jesus

Living Under the Sign of Victory

This feast reminds us to thank God for transforming the Cross from shame into glory. Whatever burdens we carry, we can unite them with Christ's suffering, confident that new life follows every death. Through our words and actions, may we proclaim: "We glory in the Cross of Christ, for in it we find our salvation!"

For families looking to honor the Cross more deeply in their homes and daily lives, St. Patrick's Guild provides blessed devotional items to support your faith journey. Our collection of crucifixes and crosses includes blessed items for prayer in your home, while our cross necklaces serve as daily reminders of Christ's love. You'll also find wall crosses in various sizes to suit every room in your home.

Since 1949, our family-owned business has helped Catholics strengthen their faith through quality devotional items. May this feast fill your home with the peace that comes from Christ's victory over death.