Liturgical Information
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (EF)
Liturgical Color: Red
Latin Title: In Exaltatione Sanctæ Crucis
Rank: 2nd Class
Introit:
Nos autem gloriári opórtet in Cruce Dómini nostri Jesu Christi:
in quo est salus, vita, et resurréctio nostra:
per quem salváti et liberáti sumus.
[Gal. 6:14]
Ps.
Deus misereátur nostri et benedícat nobis:
illúminet vultum suum super nos, et misereátur nostri.
[Psalm 66:2]
Glória Patri …
Nos autem …
But it behooves us to glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ:
in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection:
by whom we are saved, and delivered.
[Gal. 6:14]
May God have mercy on us and bless us:
may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us, and may He have mercy on us.
[Psalm 66:2]
Glory be to the Father …
But it behooves …
Collect:
Deus, qui nos hodiérna die Exaltatiónis sanctæ Crucis ánnua solemnitáte lætíficas: præsta, quǽsumus; ut, cujus mystérium in terra cognóvimus, ejus redemptiónis prǽmia in cœlo mereámur. Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum.
O God, who this day dost gladden us by the yearly feast of the Exaltation of the holy Cross: grant, we beseech Thee, that we who on earth acknowledge the Mystery of Redemption wrought upon it, may be worthy to enjoy the rewards of that same Redemption in heaven. Through the same our Lord.
Epistle:
[Phil. 2:5-11] Fratres: Hoc enim sentíte in vobis, quod et in Christo Jesu: qui cum in forma Dei esset, non rapínam arbitrátus est esse se æquálem Deo: sed semetípsum exinanívit formam servi accípiens, in similitúdinem hóminum factus, et hábitu invéntus ut homo. Humiliávit semetípsum, factus obédiens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis. Propter quod et Deus exaltávit illum: et donávit ille nomen, quod est super omne nomen: (hic genuflectitur) ut in nómine Jesu omne genu flectátur cœléstium, terréstrium et infernórum: et omnis lingua confiteátur, quia Dóminus Jesus Christus in glória est Dei Patris.
[Phil. 2:5-11] Brethren: let this mind be in you which was also in Jesus Christ: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted Him, and hath given Him a Name which is above all names: (here all genuflect) that in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.
Gradual:
[Phil. 2:8-9] Christus factus est pro nobis obédiens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis. Propter quod et Deus exaltávit illum, et dedit illi nomen quod est super omne nomen.
[Phil. 2:8-9] Christ became obedient for us unto death: even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath exalted Him, and hath given Him a name which is above every name.
Alleluia:
Allelúia, allelúia. Dulce lignum, dulces clavos, dúlcia ferens póndera: quæ sola fuísti digna sustinére Regem cœlórum et Dóminum. Allelúia.
Alleluia, alleluia. Sweet the wood, sweet the nails, sweet the load that hangs on thee: thou only wast worthy to bear the King and Lord of heaven. Alleluia.
Gospel:
[John 12:31-36] In illo témpore: Dixit Jesus turbis Judæórum: Nunc judícium est mundi: nunc princeps hujus mundi ejiciétur foras. Et ego si exaltátus fúero a terra, ómnia traham ad meípsum. (Hoc autem dicébat, signíficans qua morte esset moritúrus.) Respóndit ei turba: Nos audivimus ex lege, quia Christus manet in ætérnum: et quómodo tu dicis: Opórtet exaltári Fílium hóminis? Quis est iste Fílius hóminis? Dixit ergo eis Jesus: Adhuc módicum lumen in vobis est. Ambuláte dum lucem habétis, ut non vos ténebræ comprehéndant: et qui ambulat in ténebris, nescit quo vadat. Dum lucem habétis, crédite in lucem, ut fílii lucis sitis.
[John 12:31-36] At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews: Now is the judgment of the world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to Myself. (Now this He said, signifying what death He should die.) The multitude answered Him: We have heard out of the law, that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest Thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man? Jesus therefore said to them, Yet a little while, the light is among you. Walk whilst you have the light, that the darkness overtake you not. And he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he gœth. Whilst you have the light, believe in the light; that you may be the children of light.
Offertory:
Prótege, Dómine, plebem tuam per signum sanctæ Crucis ab insídiis inimicórum ómnium: ut tibi gratam exhibeámus servitútem, et acceptábile fiat sacrifícium nostrum.
By the sign of the holy Cross, O Lord, protect Thy people from the wiles of all our enemies, that we may be able to do Thee worthy service, and that our sacrifice may be well-pleasing in Thy sight.
Secret:
Jesu Christi Dómini nostri córpore et sánguine saginandi, per quem Crucis est sanctificátum vexílium: quǽsumus, Dómine Deus noster; ut, sicut illud adoráre merúimus, ita perénniter ejus glóriæ salutáris potiámur efféctu. Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum.
We who are about to feed on the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom the banner of the holy Cross was sanctified: beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that since we have been found worthy to venerate that holy sign, we may enjoy for evermore the salvation secured for us by its triumph. Through the same our Lord.
Preface: Preface of the Holy Cross
Vere dignum et justum est, ǽquum et salutáre, nos tibi semper, et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine sancte, Pater omnípotens, ætérne Deus. Qui salútem humáni géneris in ligno Crucis constituísti: ut unde mors oriebátur, inde vita resúrgeret: et qui in ligno vincébat, in ligno quoque vincerétur, per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Per quem majestátem tuam laudant ángeli, adórant Dominatiónes, tremunt Potestátes. Cœli, cœlorúmque Virtútes, ac beáta Séraphim, sócia exsultatióne concélebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut admítti júbeas, deprecámur, súpplici confessióne dicéntes: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus.
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to Thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross:
that whence death rose, thence also life might arise again, and that he who overcame by a tree, by a tree also might be overcome:
through Christ our Lord.
Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, Dominations worship, Powers stand in awe.
The heavens and the hosts of heaven with blessed Seraphim unite, exult, and celebrate.
And we entreat that Thou wouldst bid our voices too be heard with theirs, singing with lowly praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy.
Communion:
Per signum Crucis de inimícis nostris líbera nos, Deus noster.
By the sign of the Cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Thou our God.
Postcommunion:
Adésto nobis, Dómine Deus noster: et quos sanctæ Crucis lætári facis honóre, ejus quoque perpétuis defénde subsídiis. Per Dóminum nostrum.
Stand by us, O Lord our God, and do Thou, who makest us rejoice in honor of the holy Cross, defend us evermore by its help. Through our Lord.
The Latin texts are from the Missale Romanum (1962).
English translations are from the Roman Catholic Daily Missal (1962).
Psalm numbering is according to the Latin Vulgate Bible.
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