Novena for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Day 4

10 min

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Novena for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Opening prayer:

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world. Through this sacred sign of our salvation, hear the prayers I bring before You, and let the Cross be my strength, my refuge, and my glory. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 4: St. Helena and the True Cross

In her old age St. Helena, mother of Constantine, journeyed to Jerusalem and, according to tradition, uncovered the True Cross beneath the rubble of centuries near Calvary. Undaunted by age or hardship, she labored to recover the holy relic and built a basilica on the sacred ground. Her zeal teaches us to seek out and treasure the relics and memory of our salvation, and never to let the world's neglect bury the saving signs of Christ.

O God, who through St. Helena revealed again the saving wood of the Cross, kindle in us her holy zeal. Where the world has buried Christ beneath neglect and forgetfulness, give us the perseverance to seek Him out, to uncover His memory, and to treasure the signs of our salvation. Amen.

Today's intention:

For zeal to seek Christ where the world has buried Him.

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

sanctificétur nomen tuum.

Advéniat regnum tuum.

Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie,

et dimítte nobis débita nostra,

sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem,

sed líbera nos a malo.

Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum.

Benedícta tu in muliéribus,

et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatóribus,

nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.

Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,

et in sǽcula sæculórum.

Amen.

Closing prayer:

O Lord Jesus, lifted high upon the Cross to draw all things to Yourself, grant that I may never be ashamed of Your Cross but carry my own with love. May the wood of suffering blossom for me into the tree of life. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.