Have you ever wondered why Catholics celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14th? Let us first reflect on the historical facts where in the 14th century, Saint Helena found the Holy Cross in Jerusalem.

In the year 614, the Persians took it as a war trophy. Emperor Heraclius recovered it and brought it back to Jerusalem on September 14, 628.

The wood was divided into parts, sending fragments to Rome, Constantinople, and Jerusalem.

Splinters were distributed to churches all over the world, known as the “relics of the true Cross”.

Photo Credit: Passionist Nuns

The tradition of this day holds great significance in the Catholic Church, symbolizing the triumph of the Cross as a symbol of love, sacrifice, and redemption. Throughout history, the Cross has been a powerful symbol, reminding us of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and the promise of salvation attained by the Cross the ONLY symbol of Hope among the Holy Cross Congregation International religious in our Spirituality “Ave Crux Spes Unica!” Hail the Cross our Only Hope. Handed to us by our founder Blessed Basil Moreau.

The feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is a time for all of us to reflect on the central tenet of our faith: the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and life over death. The Cross serves as a reminder of the love that God has for humanity, willing to sacrifice His only Son for the forgiveness of sins.

We know for centuries, the Cross has been a symbol of hope and strength for believers around the world. It represents the ultimate act of love and selflessness, inspiring countless individuals to live a life of compassion, forgiveness, and service to others. The feast of the Exaltation of the Cross reminds us of this profound message, calling on Catholics and people of goodwill to emulate the example set by Christ.

In a world filled with challenges, conflicts, and uncertainties, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross is more relevant than ever. It serves as a beacon of hope in times of darkness, a source of strength in moments of weakness, and a reminder of the power of faith and redemption. As we come together to celebrate this important feast, we are reminded of the enduring message of the Cross: love conquers all.

The feast of the Exaltation of the Cross holds a special place in the hearts of many Christians around the world. It is a time to reflect on the profound significance of the Cross as a symbol of love, sacrifice, and redemption. As we commemorate this important feast, let us remember the enduring message of the Cross may each one of us strive to live their lives in accordance with its teachings. May we embrace the love, hope, and forgiveness that the Cross represents, and let it guide us in our journey toward a life filled with hope, joy, and peace.

The song “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” holds deep meaning and significance of the Cross for me. It reflects on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and the profound impact it has on believers. The lyrics of course invite us to contemplate the amazing love and grace displayed through Christ’s crucifixion on the Cross, emphasizing the power of the Cross as a symbol of redemption, salvation and hope.

It also invites us to reflect on our own lives in light of Christ’s sacrifice, prompting us to consider the depth of God’s love and the magnitude of His forgiveness. It serves as a reminder of the central tenets of Christianity – love, sacrifice, and faith – and invites us to respond with gratitude, humility, and devotion.

Through its poignant lyrics and moving melody, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” is one song that draws us to meditate on the transformative power of Christ’s death and resurrection. It encourages a deep sense of introspection, repentance, and renewal, leading us to a deeper appreciation of God’s mercy and grace.

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” for me serves as a powerful expression of faith, gratitude, and reverence toward the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. It continues to resonate with us across generations, inspiring those who value its message to embrace the Cross and live a life guided by love, hope, and faith.

Talents in our lives have history and a spirituality. Let me now call it the spirituality of talents. 1 Peter 4:10-11, tells us that God has given each one of us special talents. He calls them spiritual gifts meant to help others. The challenge is how do we use them.

We are challenged to use them well because in so doing we are taking care of God’s grace in its various forms. If you can speak, do it as if you’re saying exactly what God wants. This is going to help us so much understand how Blessed Carlo is a Saint of hope.

Some of us today feel like maybe we have nothing much to offer, we are not that gifted like the people we see or know, the celebrities we admire, etc.. but we all have something unique and special about us.

Let me begin with the “Parable of the Talents”, in Matthew 25:14–30 which tells us of a master who was leaving his house to travel, and, before leaving, entrusted his property to his servants. Imagine God entrusted each one of us with a talent and gift. According to the abilities of each and so the master did to his servants, one servant received five talents, the second received two, and the third received only one. You know what each one did with their talents.

This parable teaches that God always gives us everything we need to do what he has called us to do and to me, Carlo recognized his talent and purpose in Life. He did not wait to grow up like many of us do to today. He straight away started his mission, beginning with loving his family and enjoying their company in different activities.

We truly know that he loved to pray the rosary and attended daily mass after making his first communion at age seven. What happens today after our children have attained Holy Communion?

Walking Assisi you will see shops with lots of catechising items about the faith of Blessed Carlo Acutis

As you may already know Carlo Acutis, a young Italian teenager who passed away at the age of 15, When he was eleven, Carlo became a catechist, it is said he would read the Holy Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church adding to the Eucharistic Adoration, and books on the faith every day and because of all this I strongly believe He is a model and inspiration for young people today.

His life serves as a powerful example of how to use our talents and abilities to glorify God and make a positive impact on others. I call it making God known loved and served as a Holy Cross Educator. His mother is often quoted saying.

He felt the need to do this to re-activate the faith in people. This makes him more relevant and important to us today. We need to re-activate our faith truly. Carlo wanted to convince people to know that heaven exists, angels exist, the Virgin Mary exists, and demons too exist and we need to resist them and this is only possible through prayer.

He wanted people to understand that we were created for something more. Today we see there is a lack of faith which is incredible says his mother in an interview with Clara (2021) at Holy Heroes, she added; that nowadays we live for the horizontal plane but forget about living for the vertical plane. It’s so touching because she emphasized these same words in her recent Exclusive interview with Chris Stefanick when sharing her sentiments about the good news of the Canonisation of her son. Please check it out on this link

Image extracted for the Golden interview of Chris and the Mother of Blessed Carlo Actutis Saint to be 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

One thing that has greatly inspired me about Carlo is he was known for his deep faith and devotion to the Catholic Church. He used his skills in technology to create a website documenting Eucharistic miracles, spreading the message of faith and love to a global audience.

Despite his young age, Carlo understood the importance of putting God first in all aspects of his life, including his use of technology.

In a world where social media and the internet often promote self-centeredness and materialism, negative journalism, etc.. Carlo’s story challenges young people to consider how they can use their talents for the greater good.

By prioritizing his relationship with God and using his skills to serve others, Carlo exemplified a life of purpose and meaning which all of us need today and our young people need to be guided about it. His story is not all about his upcoming Sainthood it is about a legacy.

Photo Credit: Associazione Amica di Carlo Acutis

Carlo’s legacy teaches us that our talents are gifts from God, meant to be shared and used for His glory. Whether it’s through technology, art, music, or any other form of creativity, young people have the opportunity to make a difference in the world by putting their skills to good use.

One of my former students sent me a text recently reminding me of the words it told her with seriousness and she has found herself having to tell them to her students too and these were the words “ ..imagine your school has actually provided you all the opportunities to identify your strengths and explore your talents but you are here telling me brother I have no talent aren’t you confusing yourself and blocking God’s will in your life and your future opportunities? Your future career may not be in the studies you are taking but the gift He gave you and what happens when you choose to sit on it… go and read the biblical parable of the talents…

Hearing this story this time, I remembered blessed Carlo and what his mother would think about him in all that he was trying to accomplish at his age and now reflecting on it gives us strong points of reference about our faith and how to grow it in these most challenging times.

As young people navigate the challenges of today’s digital age, Carlo Acutis stands as a shining example of how he used his talent for technology responsibly and in service of others. His life reminds us that by putting God first and using our talents for His purposes, we can make a lasting impact on the world around us.

I pray that the world may allow Carlo’s story to inspire a generation of young people and elders who prioritize their faith, use their talents for good, and follow in his footsteps as a model of service and devotion to God. Blessed Carlo Acutis Pray for us!

I took a few days away to reflect and connect with God in a more personal and profound way and during this time I would move to specific places for a day of prayer one of these places was the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Kraków Poland the home of Pope John Paul II. Visiting the tomb of St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy Sanctuary was a profound and enlightening experience that deepened my faith in ways I never imagined. As I walked through the sacred grounds, I could feel a sense of peace and compassion enveloping me, reminding me of the boundless love and mercy that God has for me and every one of us.

The divine Mercy Sanctuary

I find St. Faustina’s message of Divine Mercy very relevant in today’s divided society and world just like John Paul II desired to see a Just and Peaceful World. Now in a time where there is so much conflict and wars, natural calamities, political divides, and immigrant-related challenges, the message of Divine Mercy serves as a beacon of hope, and reconciliation, and an invitation for us to accommodate other people by going out of our way to help those in need. It reminded me that no matter our sins or shortcomings, we are all deserving of God’s infinite love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Doves are symbols of peace

The sanctuary itself is a place of solace and reflection, where people from all walks of life come to seek solace and renewal in full-time Adoration and other spiritual programs. I was lucky to touch and pray for her first-class relic that didn’t leave me the same. I had a novena prayer I was taking with a friend and when I mentioned it in silence there was an inward moment that gave me joy. It was a reminder for me that despite our differences, and difficulties in life we are all united in our shared humanity and our need for grace and redemption is desirable.

Especially in our present world which often seems to be filled with individualistic and materialistic cravings, Sweyed by Technology and social media that somehow if not well used can separate us from the love of God and our neighbor. We tend to know more about what is happening to our neighbors through social media than knowing how they actually are. Children feel separated from the parents whom they live within families because the interactions are more done on social media rather than in person, we have so many judgments and condemnations, thank compassion, and listening so with all these the message of Divine Mercy offers a different perspective. It challenges us to look beyond our own prejudices and biases, and to embrace a more compassionate and forgiving way of living with ours again seeking a just and peaceful world.

At the tomb of St. Faustina

That patience of saying I am sorry, that patience of listening more than speaking more or even listening to oneself as I speak is an act of compassion and a way to be just to others. Parents, Teachers, and families let us be just to each other, the children entrusted to our care and listen to them as opposed to judging them for the first spot but being able to understand them and guide them I always thought if the parents of Blessed Carlo Acutis were not patient they would have never known the hero in him.

After, my visit to the tomb of St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy Sanctuary reaffirmed my belief in the power of mercy and grace as a challenge I have to carry with love because it reminded me that my media work involves talking and listening to so many people sometimes I lose the patience and that no matter how divided the world may seem, there is always hope for healing and reconciliation through the boundless love of God. It is upon me and your dear reader to take a part in being a peace builder be it at your workplace or family or even with strangers.

This place itself is welcoming to all stranger on first site I recognized my Country Flag

The Emmaus story which I love so much raises an interesting question: of who the stranger is? The question is, can we welcome the strange one? How can we be as receptive to Christ in them just like those two despairing disciples were open and receptive to Jesus on the road to Emmaus? To receive what “the other” has to give, we will need to practice what I call “inner hospitality” that is, a spirit of openness and receptivity to those unlikely moments when the friendliness of a stranger or the strangeness of a friend causes our hearts to burn within us.

In Matthew 25:42-46 Jesus points out that when we welcome all types of strangers, we are welcoming Christ himself—which is exactly what happened to the two