Personal Veneration of the Cross

Venerating the Cross dates back to the fourth century. On the Friday before Easter, the Christians in Jerusalem would gather before a relic of the true cross. They would kneel, bow and kiss the cross. In this way they would remember the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

It is tradition to venerate the cross during our Good Friday liturgy. Due to the Coronavirus, we are unable to gather for this liturgy, but we encourage you to watch the livestreamed liturgy either on our website (standrewsva.org) or on our Facebook page and you may venerate the cross in your own home. This can be a very moving form of personal meditation and prayer.

Here is a simple guide to venerating the cross at home:

Before the livestream liturgy begins, put your favorite, most special crucifix in a place of honor in your home. Place some candles one on either side of it and prepare a place in front of it where you can kneel.

During the appropriate time in the liturgy, light the candles and kneel in front of your crucifix and pray. First, thank Jesus for the gift of salvation. At some point in your prayer make an act of contrition.

Here is a prayer that you might find helpful:

Behold, O kind and most sweet Jesus, I cast myself upon my knees in Your sight, and with the most fervent desire of my soul, I pray and beseech You that You would impress upon my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, with true confession for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment; while with deep affection and grief of soul I ponder within myself and mentally contemplate Your five wounds, having before my eyes the words which David, your prophet put on Your lips concerning You: “They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones.” (Psalm 21:17,18).

Then say an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

Whenever you have concluded your prayer, kiss Jesus’ feet on your crucifix and remember how truly loved we all are!

St. Andrew’s will have a two-hour window immediately following the livestreamed liturgy when veneration will be aired. You are welcome to come the church, strictly adhering to the ten people maximum limit, and venerate our cross without kissing it, or continue to venerate your cross from your home.