The Exaltation of the Cross

On September 14, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Cross.

This picture, the Exaltation of the Cross, is taken from the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry (The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Berry)—the most important illuminated manuscript of the 15^th century.

Dating back to around 1410 A.D., the richly decorated book contains prayers to be said at each of the canonical hours of the day.  There are 416 pages in all, with 131 large miniatures as well as elaborately decorated borders and some 300 decorated capital letters.  The book, which took nearly 100 years to complete, is now housed in the Musee Conde in Chantilly, France.

God our Father, in obedience to you your only Son accepted death on the Cross for the salvation of mankind.  We acknowledge the mystery of the Cross on earth. May we receive the gift of redemption in heaven.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.