Presider’s Page for 14 September (Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
Opening Comment
The Exaltation of the Cross is celebrated each year on 14 September, when in AD 335 a church marking the site of the crucifixion was first dedicated in Jerusalem. We honour the cross today and reflect on its meaning in our lives.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lifted up among us, O God,
is Jesus the crucified:
sign of your steadfast love
and pledge of your will to save.
To those who look upon the cross with faith
grant healing of soul and life eternal.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Numbers 21:4-9 The bronze serpent Moses put on a pole, with the power to cure, is a symbol of the cross of Christ.
Philippians 2:6-11 Understanding the humility of Jesus and his glory gives us a balanced picture of the meaning of Jesus’ life and death.
John 3:13-17 Jesus compares himself to the bronze serpent lifted up by Moses in the desert.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider): Because our God is full of compassion, we can bring our prayers forward with confidence:
- For the members of the Church — that we may glory in the cross, where our salvation was won (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For all people of goodwill — that they may respect the cross, a symbol dear to Christians (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For Christians suffering persecution — that the One who died on the cross may encourage them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For those whose sufferings bring them an experience of Calvary — that Jesus may transform their pain to glory (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For the sick who are dangerously ill — that the cross of Christ may bring them comfort and hope (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For those whose lives have been lost through war, famine and disease — that Christ may liberate them from the chains of death (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for those from the community who have died (N and N), that they may be brought to eternal life by the Christ’s victory on the cross (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) Compassionate God, you forgive your people’s sins and spare them: hear the prayers we lay before you under the shadow of the cross, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lord, may this sacrifice, once offered on the altar of the cross to take away the sin of the world, free us now from all our offences.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE OF THE HOLY CROSS
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
You chose the wood of the cross for our redemption, that where death had its beginning, there life might arise in triumph;
and that Satan, who conquered through a tree, might on a tree be overcome, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him the choirs of angels and all the powers of heaven worship in awe before your presence.
May our voices blend with theirs as they sing with joy the hymn of your glory: Holy, holy, holy……
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Nourished at this heavenly table, we ask you, Lord Jesus Christ, to lead to the glory of the resurrection
all whose salvation you purchased by the life-giving wood of the cross. You live and reign for ever and ever.
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions): “Were you there…?”; “When I Behold the Wondrous Cross “; “The Old Rugged Cross”; “Take and Eat”.