A Celebration of Love and Sacrifice

As we mark the 39th Feast in honor of the Exaltation of the Cross at the GKK Sta. Krus in Fortune Executive Homes, Barangay Vicente Hizon Sr., Davao City, we join the Universal Church in celebrating the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, also known as the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. This sacred day commemorated three events in Christian history: the discovery of the True Cross by St. Helena in 326, its exaltation for public veneration in 335, and the recovery of the Cross from the Persians in 628.

This Feast encourages deep reflection on the Cross, not only as a historical symbol but also as a reminder of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, love, and triumph over death. As Rev. Fr. Leonardo Bong Dublan Jr., the parish priest of St. Joseph the Worker, reminds us, “This Cross is always the center of our faith in salvation, for without the Cross of Christ, our Christian life would be incomplete.”

While the Cross has become a common symbol in our daily lives—worn as jewelry or used as a home decoration—it is far more than an accessory. The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross calls us to remember the love and sacrifice it represents. The triumph we celebrate is not one of worldly victory, but the victory of God’s love manifested through the sacrifice of His Son. “The spirit of this exaltation is not of victory but of love—a gift to humanity, born from God’s great love for us,” says Fr. Dublan.

Sometimes, we are given crosses to bear in our own lives—difficulties and trials that test our faith. But these crosses are not meant to weigh us down; rather, they are opportunities to learn from God. “Sometimes God gives us crosses so that we may learn from Him,” Fr. Dublan shares. The act of carrying these crosses is not a matter of obligation or having no choice, but an act of love, carried with the grace of Christ, who embraced His Cross for us. “Our acceptance of the Cross should be done with love, because no authentic love can exist without sacrifice.”

The Cross teaches us the language of love, though we often fail to understand it fully. It is only through sacrifice that true love is experienced and lived, and this is the calling of every Christian.

As we commemorate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, may we be reminded of the power and grace that the Cross holds in our lives. Let us see it not just as a symbol but as a living testament to Christ’s love, sacrifice, and triumph. May the Cross of Christ continue to guide and strengthen us as a community of faith, inspiring us to carry our own crosses with faith and perseverance.