The Triumph of the Holy Cross

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From catholicculture.com:

This day is also called the Exaltation of the Cross, Elevation of the Cross, Holy Cross Day, Holy Rood Day, or Roodmas. The liturgy of the Cross is a triumphant liturgy. When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent over the people, it was a foreshadowing of the salvation through Jesus when He was lifted up on the Cross. Our Mother Church sings of the triumph of the Cross, the instrument of our redemption. To follow Christ we must take up His cross, follow Him and become obedient until death, even if it means death on the cross. We identify with Christ on the Cross and become co-redeemers, sharing in His cross.

We made the Sign of the Cross before prayer which helps to fix our minds and hearts to God. After prayer we make the Sign of the Cross to keep close to God. During trials and temptations our strength and protection is the Sign of the Cross. At Baptism we are sealed with the Sign of the Cross, signifying the fullness of redemption and that we belong to Christ. Let us look to the cross frequently, and realize that when we make the Sign of the Cross we give our entire self to God — mind, soul, heart, body, will, thoughts.

O cross, you are the glorious sign of victory.
Through your power may we share in the triumph of Christ Jesus.

Nothing fancy, but memorable nevertheless -- a cross shaped pan of brownies. I used my Wilton cross pan and my mom's recipe for cakey brownies. I sprayed the pan extra well and them came out just beautifully. No special serving dishes -- just a plastic serving tray, purple no less, with a sprinkle of confectioner's sugar. It's the thought that counts. They could be frosted but I prefer the unadorned for this feast.

Holy Cross Brownies

4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
⅔ c. shortening
2 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 t. baking powder
4 eggs
1 ¼ c. flour
1 t. salt


Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a cross-shaped pan. Heat chocolate and shortening over low heat (or in the microwave) until melted; remove from heat. Stir in sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix in remaining ingredients and spread in pan. Bake until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan, about 30 minutes (they should look done, but the toothpick test doesn't really work for these brownies -- the top should be crackled looking).

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