Bulletin

O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbour, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Today’ readings all deal with the power of the cross. The veneration of the Cross gained prominence after Constantine’s conversion and the legalization of Christianity in 313 AD. Christian symbols could now be displayed without fear.

O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption,  

 look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters, 

 that those who believe in Christ may receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance.

The celebration of the Dedication of our Church brings back memories for some of us. But for all of us it is an occasion to reflect on the meaning of the Church and of the Altar. The prayer below is the Collect of today’s mass. The text is from the official Vatican preface explaining how the Catholic Church understands a church and its altar. It certainly merits reading and reflection.

O God, who cause the minds of the faithful

to unite in a single purpose,

grant your people to love what you command

and to desire what you promise,

that, amid the uncertainties of this world,

our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found.

O God, who have prepared for those who love you

good things which no eye can see,

fill our hearts with the warmth of your love,

so that, loving you in all things and above all things,

we may attain your promises, which surpass every human desire.

Almighty ever-living God,

whom, taught by the Holy Spirit, we dare to call our Father,

bring to perfection in our hearts the spirit of adoption as your sons and daughters,

that we may merit to enter into the inheritance which you have promised.

Draw near to your servants, O Lord,

and answer their prayers with unceasing kindness,

that, for those who glory in you as their Creator and guide,

you may restore what you have created

and keep safe what you have restored.

“O God, protector of those who hope in you,

without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy,

bestow in abundance your mercy upon us

and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide,

we may use the good things that pass

in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure.”

Dear sisters and brothers,

Show favour, O Lord, to your servants and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace, that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity, they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands.