Rosary Workshop - Rome Pilgrimage
RELICS of the
PASSION
SANTA CROCE in GERUSALEMME
The Relics of the crucifixion
of Jesus were brought back from Jerusalem by St Helena, mother of the first
Christian Emperor of Rome in the early part of the 4th Century. By
tradition the first building to house the relics of the Passion was on
the property where she lived. The floor was packed with earth from Jerusalem
which gave it its name.
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READINGS - HISTORY Photos were taken on a Pentecost Pilgrimage to Rome in 1998. Missing for 4 years, they were found today, on this, the feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross - September 14th 2002. |
~ HOLY CROSS at JERUSALEM ~
OF JESUS CHRIST "Christ opened his arms on the Cross to embrace the whole World, because Golgotha stood at the centre of the World" (St. Cyril) |
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HOLY CROSS |
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Christ humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. (cf.Phil 2:8) + The cross, instrument of torture and death, raised aloft as a sign of glory, continues to confound the wisdom of this world. God's word of salvation stands human expectations on their head: humility is exaltation, wounds are healing, death is life. |
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(Savior from a small village in Galilee) Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews." Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that he said, 'I am the King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." (Jn 19:22) + History has it that, on finding the title board, it was split into 3 pieces by St. Helen. She gave one to her son, Emperor Constantine and left one in Jerusalem and brought one section back to Rome (above). It was missing for a long time, then found hidden in the wall in a lead box for protection in 1492. Witnesses said at that time, the lettering was still well defined with color still showing. Carbon dating put the walnut wood at 1st to 4th c (original believed to be approx. 12 in) |
TWO THORNS AND FINGER OF THOMAS
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THORNS FROM CROWN |
FINGER OF THOMAS |
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And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, ... and they came to him and said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Once more Pilate went out and said to them, "Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, "Behold, the man!" (Jn 19:4-5) |
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Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked ... Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"(Jn 20:26-28) |
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~ FRAGMENTS of the HOLY CROSS ~
TWO ARMS OF THE CROSS
This closeup of the reliquary cross (above) shows 2 of the 3 slivers of the Holy Cross of Jesus. The center image below is the reverse side of the reliquary. The two side images (below) are of the obverse side. |
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(cf Veneration of the Cross/Good Friday) |
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FRONT |
REVERSE |
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~ SMALL CRUCIFIX RELIQUARY ~
MOVE BEFORE ITS WEARER |
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FROM THE VATICAN FRAGMENT + Small splinters from the Vatican fragment of the Holy Cross have been set into wearable crucifix reliquaries. Each has been placed into a small metal cross, then wrapped with red threads. The threads were secured with a red wax seal of the Vatican to authenticate the relic. It was then set into a larger Reliquary Cross. These relics were then made available to bishops, cardinals, priests and laity. This created an embracing cross, scattered throughout the world so that it may be venerated by all. |
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We have often wondered, and maybe you have too - if all the known slivers of wood claimed to be part of the true cross were put together today, how large of a cross would it make? French architect Charles Rohault de Fleury, who was also involved in religious archaeology, wrote a magnificent book, "Les instruments de la Passion", Paris, 1870. He measured all existing relics known and those that have long been lost. He discovered that if indeed they were all put together they would only fill one third of the original and true cross. |
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~ READINGS ~
It is good to give thanks
to the Lord, to make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your
love in the morning and your truth in the watches of the night, on the
ten-stringed lyre and the lute, with the murmuring sound of the harp.our
deeds
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~ MINI HISTORY ~
REVEALED ITS HIDING PLACE The area where Christ was crucified and buried was
easy to find as Hadrian, tired of the pilgrimages to this holy place in
Jerusalem, had a Pagan Temple - possibly dedicated to Aphrodite, built
over the spot to subdue the Christian crowds. Hadrian
also renamed Jerusalem, Aelia Capitolina and had statue to Jupiter Capitolinus
erected. But the Christians of Jerusalem kept their very holy and important
site in their hearts, passing it from generation to generation in the custom
and tradition of their country and for many, their Jewish heritage.
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MORE
INFORMATION ON THE TRUE CROSS
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:26-28 |
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