The Finding Of The Holy Cross. 3 May.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

The Finding Of The Holy Cross.
   3 May.

Double of The Second-Class.

Red Vestments.

Illustration: CATHOLICISM PURE AND SIMPLE

The Labarum.

Labarum of Constantine I (Vexilloid of The Roman Empire). Drawn after File:As-Constantine-XR RIC vII 019.jpg; The three dots represent three "medallions" or portraits that could not be rendered in detail on the coin, c.f. File:Konstantin den stores labarum, Nordisk familjebok.png c.f A. Macgeorge, Flags, Glasgow, 1881:"The Vexillium was a Standard composed of a square piece of cloth fastened to a cross bar at the top of a Spear, sometimes with a fringe all around, and sometimes fringed only below, or without a fringe, but draped at the sides, When placed over the General's tent, it was a sign for marching, or for battle. The Labarum of the Emperors was similar in form, and frequently bore upon it a representation of the Emperor, sometimes by himself and sometimes accompanied by the heads of members of his family. [...]"

Date: 1 April 2011.

Source: Labarum_of_Constantine_I.svg (reconstruction by Eugene Ipavec, 2006)

Vexilloid_of_the_Roman_Empire.svg

Author: Labarum_of_Constantine_I.svg:

TRAJAN 117 Vexilloid_of_the_Roman_Empire.svg: 

Ssolbergj derivative work: Philly boy92

(Wikimedia Commons)

After the victory gained by Emperor Constantine, by virtue of The Cross which appeared to him in the skies, and whose sign he reproduced in The Labarum, Saint Helena, his mother, went to Jerusalem to try to find The True Cross. At the beginning of the 2nd-Century A.D., Emperor Hadrian had covered Calvary and The Holy Sepulchre under a Terrace of 300 feet in length, on which had been erected a statue of Jupiter and a Temple of Venus.

Empress Helena razed them to the ground, and, in digging up the soil, they discovered The Nails from The Cross (Alleluia) and The Glorious Trophy to which we owe "Life, Salvation, and Resurrection" (Introit).

The miraculous cure of a woman authenticated The Sacred Tree (Collect).

Saint Helena divided into three the precious wood, which had been "worthy to bear The King of Heaven" (Alleluia), which had merely been figured by the cross on which the brazen serpent was raised. One part was deposited in Rome in the Church which, on this account, was called Holy Cross in Jerusalem, the second in Constantinople, and the third in Jerusalem.

This last Relic, having been carried off by the Persians and recovered by Heraclius, this Emperor solemnly brought it back to Jerusalem on 3 May, 628 A.D. Covered with Gold and Precious Stones, the Emperor suddenly felt himself held back by an invisible power.

At this sight, Zecharias, Bishop of Jerusalem, told him to imitate the poverty and humility of Jesus bearing His Cross. Heraclius thereupon covered his shoulders with a common cloak and, without further hindrance, went on his way (Breviary, 14 September).

Every Parish Priest Celebrates Mass for the people of his Parish.

Mass: Nos autem.
Commemoration: At Low Mass, only. Of Saint Alexander and Companions.
Creed: Is said.
Preface: Of The Cross.