Live + Jesus!

IMG_0327On May 3, the anniversary of the finding of the True Cross, the five small crosses that were made on Palm Sunday are blessed with a special prayer and then buried on our grounds–one in the house and the others on the four corners. This is done for protection from all evil. This has been our tradition for as long as any of the sisters can remember and today we continued it. The crosses were sent to the Sacristy yesterday for Father to bless this morning and this evening they were “planted.” Below is the prayer and explanation.

   “At no time in the history of the Church was the true Cross of our dear Savior needed more to subdue His enemies than in these days. The wicked spirits dread and flee from this sign of four Redemption and from the Blessings of Holy Mother the Church. She blesses cro

sses on this day to protect us, our property and our crops against

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these evil spirits who, as Saint John in his Apocalypse warns, are permitted to molest us. Plant one of these crosses (blessed twice: on Palm Sunday and on May 3rd, traditionally the feast of the finding of the Holy Cross) on each of the four corners of your property and keep one in your home. Testimonials of visible protection from these crosses are numerous.”

BLESSING OF CROSSES which are to be set in vineyards, fields, etc., on or about May 3

(Approved by the Congregation of Sacred Rites, Feb. 10, 1888)

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All: Who made heaven and earth.

P: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, Father of goodness and consolation, in virtue of the bitter suffering that Thy only- begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, endured for us sinners on the wood of the cross, bless + these crosses which your faithful will erect in their vineyards, fields and gardens. Protect the land where they are placed from hail, tornado, storm, and every assault of the enemy, so that their fruits, ripened for the harvest, may be gathered to Thy honor by those who put their hope in the Holy Cross of Thy son,our Lord Jesus Christ,  who lives and reigns with Thee eternally.

All: Amen.