Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 2025
Knowing that the Father sent his Son into the world not to condemn us but to save us, we offer our prayers with confidence in His love.
- That through today’s Ecumenical Commemoration of Martyrs and Witnesses of the Faith of the Twenty-first Century, the blood of these recent martyrs will proclaim unity among Christians and be “a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love.”[1] We pray to the Lord.
- That nature will not be “reduced at times to a bargaining chip, a commodity to be bartered for economic or political gain, a battleground for the control of vital resources.”[2] We pray to the Lord.
- That we may seek the gift of wisdom to better understand God’s plans for our lives and world, follow them faithfully, and use our gifts to bring others to God through our example, words, and actions.[3] We pray to the Lord.
- That as Christians, we will raise our voices — united in prayer — and stand firm in our commitment to justice which is necessary for peace.[4] We pray to the Lord.
- That during this Season of Creation we may be “seeds of peace and hope” so that through prayer, determination, and concrete action, all people will abide in peaceful habitation, secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.[5] We pray to the Lord.
- “That inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.”[6] We pray to the Lord.
- That the Catholic and Orthodox clergy caring for the sick, the elderly, and children in Gaza who are refusing to evacuate despite orders from the Israeli army will be protected from harm and able to bring comfort and healing to the people they serve and to the region. We pray to the Lord.
- That the cruel, brutal, and lethal bombing of citizens striving to live in peace in Ukraine, Gaza, and other war-ravaged countries may come to an end as leaders realize the wastefulness and fruitlessness of war. We pray to the Lord.
- That the children of Gaza — out of school for two years and deprived of education, healthcare, and even the opportunity to play — may come to know more than war, fleeing, hiding, destruction, and rubble.[7] We pray to the Lord.
- That those who are ill will not complain against the Lord, but will look upon the cross of Jesus, uniting their suffering with his, as they seek healing of mind, body, and spirit. We pray to the Lord.
- That all who have died will be welcomed with joy into heaven because by his holy cross, Christ has redeemed the world. We pray to the Lord.
God, our Father, on this day when we commemorate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of your Son, we ask for your mercy so that through his cross and Resurrection, we might be set free knowing that Jesus, through whom we pray, is the Savior of the world. Amen.
[1] Quote from Archbishop Fabio Fabene, President of the Commission of New Martyrs, September 8, 2025.
[2] From the message of Pope Leo for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, September 1, 2025
[3] Based on homily of Pope Leo at canonization of Pier Giorgio Frasatti and Carlo Acutis, Sep 7, 2025.
[4] Based on statement of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, August 27, 2025.
[5] Based on the message of Pope Leo for the 10th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, September 1, 2025
[6] Pope Leo’s prayer intention for September, 2025
[7] From reflection of Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, a Franciscan friar of the Custody of the Holy Land, during a recent visit to Italy.
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