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Friday, September 14, 2018
September 14 is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, commemorating the finding of the actual Cross of Jesus Christ by the first Christian Empress, St. Helen.
This is an especially significant day for us in the present times: the Cross is the symbol of the redemptive suffering in which we are called to partake, united with Our Lord. For this reason, it is central to our response to the suffering caused by the grave scandals in the Church. Lift up the Cross! Our prayers, our acts of self-denial, and our heroic and loving endurance of our day-to-day trials and sufferings allow us to take the place of Simon of Cyrene in carrying the Cross with Christ.
Our Bishop, Michael Olson, has invited us to unite in prayer and penance on the special Feast of the Cross:Day of Prayer and Penance
Friday, September 14
For the intentions of healing for those harmed by abuse, the renewed integrity of vocations, and the gifts of wisdom and fortitude for the Holy Father
In addition to your usual Friday penance, please consider the following on September 14:
Prayer
Attend Mass, pray the Rosary or Chaplet, pray the Stations of the Cross
Abstinence from meat
Fasting
Skip a meal, or follow the customary fasting guidelines of one full meal plus two smaller meals that do not together equal a full meal
Penance
Leave the TV or radio off, skip dessert, take on someone else's household chores for the day