- Exaltation of the Holy Cross (335). (Current, Traditional, Eastern Calendar (Melkite and Greek Catholic)) also relevant to 629 when found again
- St. Maternus (95). Bishop. (Historical)
- St. Notburga (1313). Patron or Patroness, Virgin. Patroness of peasants, servants, and the poor. (Historical)
CONSTANTINE was still wavering between Christianity and idolatry when a luminous cross appeared to him in the heavens, bearing the inscription, “In this sign shalt thou conquer.” He became a Christian, and triumphed over his enemies, who were, at the same time, the enemies of the faith. A few years later, his saintly mother having found the cross on which our Saviour suffered, the feast of the “Exaltation” was established in the Church; but it was only at a later period still, namely, after the Emperor Heraclius had achieved three great and wondrous victories over Chosroes, King of Persia, who had possessed him. self of the holy and precious relic, that this festival took a more general extension, and was invested with a higher character of solemnity. The feast of the “Finding” was thereupon instituted, in memory of the discovery made by St. Helena; and that of the “Exaltation” was reserved to celebrate the triumphs of Heraclius. The greatest power of the Catholic world was at that time centered in the Empire of the East, and was verging toward its ruin, when God put forth his hand to save it: the reestablishment of the Cross at Jerusalem was the sure pledge thereof. This great event occurred in 629.
REFLECTION: Herein is found the accomplishment of the Savior’s word: “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all things to myself.”
WORD OF THE DAY
CLARITY. A quality of the glorified human body in being totally free from every deformity and filled with resplendent radiance and beauty. The prototype is the transfigured body of Christ on Mount Tabor (Matthew 17:2) and after the Resurrection (Acts 9:3). The source of the transfiguration lies in the overflowing of the beauty of the beatified soul onto the body. Each person’s clarity will vary according to the degree of glory in the soul, and this in turn will depend on a person’s merit before God (I Corinthians 15:41-49).
Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)
