August 10, 2020 Reflection – Save us, O Holy Cross!
August 10, 2020 St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr Dear Family of Mary! “Dear children! In this peaceless time in which the devil is harvesting souls to draw them to himself, I am calling you to persevering prayer, so that in prayer you discover the God of love and hope. Little children, take the Cross in your hands. May it be your encouragement for love to always win, in a special way now when the Cross and faith are rejected. You be a reflection and an example with your lives that faith and hope are still alive and a new world of peace is possible. I am with you and intercede for you before my Son, Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (July 25, 2020) Our Lady encourages us to “take the Cross in your hands. May it be your encouragement for love to always win, in a special way now when the Cross and Faith are rejected.” When many are rejecting the Cross, turning from faith, we must those who lean into the faith and hold the Cross high! We need to be those who have the courage to stand for the faith, to be love in this world so in need of it. We can’t let her down. She is standing with us and she needs us to raise the Cross high and affirm it as our standard! I want to share a Litany of the Holy Cross with you. It is a powerful declaration of belief in the Cross. The response to the many titles given to the Cross is “Save us, O Holy Cross”. And here is an explanation of that response: “This litany dates from the Middle Ages and from many countries; while the refrain refers to the Holy Cross, it is considered that in doing so, we are actually referring to our Savior Who hung upon it and thereby redeemed us all. By our salutation to the chief instrument of Our Lord’s Passion and death, we trust in hope that He will show mercy to us.” So when we call upon the Cross, we are calling upon Jesus, who died upon that Cross for our salvation. This of course it the reason that the Cross is salvific! Here is the Litany: Litany of the Holy Cross For Private Use Only. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, our Advocate, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us. Holy Cross whereon the Lamb of God was offered, Save us, O Holy Cross. Hope of Christians, Save us, O Holy Cross. Pledge of the resurrection of the dead, etc. Shelter of persecuted innocence, Guide of the blind, Way of those who have gone astray, Staff of the lame, Consolation of the poor , Restraint of the powerful, Destruction of the proud, Refuge of sinners, Trophy of victory over Hell, Terror of demons, Mistress of youth, Succor of the distressed, Hope of the hopeless, Star of the mariner, Harbor of the wrecked, Rampart of the besieged, Father of orphans, Defense of widows, Counsel of the just, Judge of the wicked, Rest of the afflicted, Safeguard of childhood, Strength of manhood, Last hope of the aged, Light of those who sit in darkness, Splendor of kings, Civilizer of the world, Shield impenetrable, Wisdom of the foolish, Liberty of slaves, Knowledge of the ignorant, Sure rule of life, Heralded by Prophets, Preached by Apostles, Glory of Martyrs, Study of hermits, Chastity of virgins, Joy of priests, Foundation of the Church, Salvation of the world, Destruction of idolatry, Condemnation of the ungodly, Support of the weak, Medicine of the sick, Health of the leprous, Strength of the paralytic, Bread of the hungry, Fountain of those who thirst, Clothing of the naked, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee, R. Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world. [Together] Behold the Cross of the Lord! Begone ye evil powers! The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has conquered! Alleluia! Let Us Pray. O God, Who for the redemption of the world, wast pleased to be born in a stable and to die upon a cross; O Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy holy sufferings, which we, Thy unworthy servants, call to mind: by Thy Holy Cross, and by Thy death, deliver us from the pains of Hell, and vouchsafe to conduct us whither Thou didst conduct the good thief who was crucified with Thee, Who livest and reignest eternally in Heaven. R. Amen. Sweet the wood, sweet the nails, sweet the Burden which thou bearest, for thou alone, O Holy Cross, wast worthy to bear the King and Lord of Heaven. R. Amen. May this litany strengthen our faith and love, as we stand with Our Lady in these difficult days. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan © Mary TV 2020