As part of our parish’s Lenten observance and as a way of gathering thoughtful and spiritual input from parishioners on our processional crucifix project, we have a “liturgical meditation on the symbol of sacrifice and faith” this evening. Here is the order of service:
Song: Take Up Your Cross #698
Sign of the Cross
Opening Prayer
Let us pray
Surround us,
O God, we pray,
by so great a cloud of witnesses,
rid us of every burden and sin that clings to us,
and strengthen us to run the race that lies before us.
Help us fix our eyes on Jesus, your Son,
the leader and perfecter of faith,
who endured the cross,
and now has taken his seat at your right hand.
Through this wood, lift us up with Christ,
and inspire us, your people,
to follow in his footsteps,
now and forever.
Amen
Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:17-18
Song: Tree of Life #397
Reading: Philippians 2:6-11
Music: Theme from Schindler’s List
Gospel: Luke 9:18-23
Veneration of the Cross
Music: Behold the Wood #420
Reflection:
The Lord is the point of reference. He is the rising sun of history. That is why there can be a cross of the Passion, which represents the Suffering Lord who for us let His side be pierced, from which flowed blood and water (Eucharist and Baptism), as well as a cross of triumph, which expresses the idea of Our Lord’s Second Coming and guides our eyes towards it. For it is always the One Lord: Christ yesterday, today, and for ever. (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger)
Music: Litany of the Holy Cross
Lord’s Prayer
Closing Prayer
Let us pray
Inspire our hearts, O God,
to follow where Christ walked,
for Christ has marked us as his own.
Let us all take new willingness
to carry our cross
and be led through sacrifice and suffering,
but also to the glory and triumph
of the Risen Life of the Savior.
Grant us all your good graces,
through Christ our Lord
Amen
Hymn: Lift High The Cross #791
Catholic Sensibility 
This is a beautiful way to reflect on the cross! How was it? Did many people attend?
It seemed to go well and people had some good things to say afterward. I accompanied a high school friend who played the Schindler’s List theme. That seemed to fit.
I was pleased to draw 26. Tuesday is a big meeting night for many of our students, plus we had RCIA.
I adapted a short melody from the Graduale Simplex Gospel Acclamation for the feast of the Triumph of the Cross for the Holy Cross litany. Hard to say how well Latin chant is received in my parish, but the cantor did a creditable job on short notice.
I really liked this. The Schindler’s List was very apropos.
When you list hymn numbers, I am unsure of the hymnal you are using.
Take Up Your Cross – Herr?
Behold the Wood – Schutte?
Lift High the Cross – Crucifer?
Thanks for your work.
Take Up Your Cross, text by Charles W Everest, tune O WALY WALY.
Behold the Wood, Dan Schutte, yes.
Lift High The Cross, CRUCIFER, with the Kitchin-Newbolt text.
They’re all in Gather Comprehensive, first edition.
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