Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The following extract from a reflection on today's feast by Fr. Enzo Del Brocco CP has an important message for all Christians, but has particular relevance for us as Vincentians. You can read the full reflection here on the Catholic Theological Union web page:
https://learn.ctu.edu/feast-of-the-exaltation-of-the-holy-cross/

There is a danger… in how we relate to the Cross. We see it in the temptation of Christian nationalism, where the Cross is used as a banner of power, identity, or exclusion. But the Cross is never a flag to wave over others. It is not a weapon to dominate, nor a tool to draw boundaries of “us” against “them.” Whenever Christians do this, we betray the very One who died on the Cross for all.

Instead, Christianity is called to be like leaven in society—quiet, small, but powerful enough to transform the whole dough. The Cross heals like the serpent in the desert: not by striking down enemies, but by drawing the gaze of the wounded and giving them life. In our world poisoned by division, violence, nationalism, and fear, the Cross offers an antidote: reconciliation, compassion, forgiveness.

To lift high the Cross today means: standing with the wounded: with refugees, the poor, the sick, the excluded; healing with mercy: countering the poison of hatred and lies with truth spoken in love; witnessing hope: refusing to let fear or ideology replace the Gospel of self-giving love.

Brothers and sisters, the Cross is not a symbol of conquest, but of healing. Not a mark of domination, but of love stronger than death. To exalt the Cross is to make visible Christ’s mercy in a broken world.

Let us lift high the Cross, not by imposing it, but by embodying it: healing wounds, building peace, forgiving enemies, and proclaiming by our lives that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Amen.

You can read the full reflection here on the Catholic Theological Union web page:
https://learn.ctu.edu/feast-of-the-exaltation-of-the-holy-cross/

Blessed Frederic Ozanam - September 9

 

Gospel Principles in Bl. Frederic Ozanam's Life

Service to the Poor:
Ozanam's primary mission was to serve the poor and oppressed, mirroring Jesus' teachings in the Gospels. He believed that caring for the poor was a direct expression of faith in God.

Justice for the Needy:
He advocated for the rights of the poor and the working class, founding a newspaper to secure justice for them.

Embodiment of Christ's Charity:
Ozanam's followers, known as Vincentians, visited and assisted the poor in their homes, encountering Christ through these relationships.

His Legacy - Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP):
He co-founded this global charitable organization to put the Gospel into action through works of mercy, becoming one of the largest church institutions in the world.

In Summary
Blessed Frederic Ozanam lived the Gospel by actively seeking out the poor, working for their justice, and forming a movement to do the same. He is celebrated as a saintly figure whose life served as a powerful example of applying Christ's message of love and compassion.

Coming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be on September 30. That makes September a good month for Canadians to learn more about this important day and the significance of reconciliation in Canada.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada's final report and 94 Calls to Action. The TRC was established to document the history and impact of residential schools and to promote reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. While progress has been made, many of the Calls to Action remain unfulfilled, highlighting the ongoing work needed for true reconciliation.

Here are some resources as recommended by Indspire, a national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.

Visit Canadian Heritage’s site for information on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  Tune in to All My Relations, a podcast that explores Indigenous identity and relationships with land, place, nation, non-human relatives, and one another.  Enroll in Indigenous Canada, a free course offered by the University of Alberta that explores Indigenous histories and issues in Canada.  Watch Bringing Our Children Home: Reflecting On Our Shared History, a video series hosted by Reconciliation Canada. Learn from expert panellists as they examine reconciliation in Canada and explore ideas that are shaping the future of our country.