Litany of the Graces of the Cross

This is a wonderful litany,
one of those prayers that makes you think,
not just a recitation of
a bunch of "holy" words.
The first time I read through it,
I loved it.
I decided to do a little research
to see who put this prayer together
and then offer it here
on the Liturgy House blog.
This litany was compiled by
A Dominican priest, Father Peter John Cameron, O.P.
You are free to distribute this as widely as you like.

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Litany of the Graces of the Cross

Response: Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

We adore you, O Christ,
when we do not get our own way. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in the midst of day-to-day aggravations, frustrations, and annoyances. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when we live deprived of recognition or gratitude. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when dealing with others who exalt themselves and demean us. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in the face of worry, anxiety, and fear. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when we forgive others and show them mercy,
especially when it hurts. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in the face of others’ thoughtlessness. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in confronting our daily inner rebellion. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in refusing to give in to vanity and self-importance. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in always thinking about others first
and putting them first. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when others take us for granted. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when suffering the agony of depression. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in our inability to make sense out of life
or to have things follow our plans,
especially when we’re trying so hard to be good. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in rejecting self-assertion and self satisfaction. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in the midst of the oppressiveness of life
– its futility, drudgery, pointlessness, and tedium. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in letting go of the order and control we crave. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when accosted by the unfairness
of seeing the wicked succeed. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
despite the world’s contradiction, humiliation, and derision. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
by refusing to live according to our feelings. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when we are under-appreciated. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when our egoism and willfulness flare up. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
when we are persecuted for your sake. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
as we live by love and no lesser motive. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in finding peace in the total surrender of self. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
in accepting that God works in the ways we least expect. Rs

We adore you, O Christ,
as we search for self worth
only in God’s love for us and nothing else. Rs

Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Behold The Wood of This Cross

Behold, the Wood of This Cross.

You know, church life can be really trying sometimes. Just because it is "church" doesn’t mean it will be without communication breakdowns. Just because it is "church" doesn’t mean that people and procedures will be respected. On the contrary, precisely because the church is human many unfavorable qualities can, and often do, abound.

The challenge for each of us is to bear this cross when it presents itself. We must be Simon to each other and help each other carry the cross. Indeed, we must challenge those who thrust the cross upon our shoulders, or on our friend’s shoulders, to begin with. And this challenge is one of made out love. Precisely because I love you as a sister/brother in Christ, I must challenge you sometimes.

The thing is, most of us are afraid of that confrontation. We fear losing the friendship. We fear being cast as the troublemaker. And so many end up whispering in the pews to those they would see as allies about what this one or that one did, about what this group or that group did. In the end, that does nothing but build up another cross.

Near as I can tell, Jesus Christ spent his ministry challenging folks. Wouldn’t it really be more Christ-like to offer the challenge? And to do so in love and respect? To really pray about what words to say, about how to lovingly offer the challenge? Instead, many stand crucified. Maybe we are nailed to the cross because we are afraid to open out mouths.

There are times when it is necessary to stand Silent Like the Lamb, Silent with The Lamb. However, there are other times when our silence perpetuates and exasperates the sin.

Now, I won’t detail on this electronic parchment why the San Damiano crucifix in the photo here is a cross for me to bear. It has nothing to do with the cross itself or the fact that it is San Damiano. It will suffice to say that this cross I bear is a cross due to communication breakdowns and disrespect.

Still, this cross, that is to say, the cross made of wood in this photo, has been part of our parish’s Lenten mission. As I reflect on it now, even the cross built of communication break downs and disrespect has been an integral part of this mission. At least it has been for me.

Even so, it has been difficult for me to enter into the spirit of this mission knowing that people I love deeply have been hurt.

The presenter of the mission told the story of St. Francis of Assisi and the wolf. Now, that is a story I’ve heard since childhood. I won’t detail it here, but you can Google it easy enough if you want to know more about.

The presenter spoke of the wolf being that wild animal we fear. St. Francis managed to tame that wolf, at least for himself.

And with that I realize that writing this blog is cathardic. I am not afraid of the wolf (confrontation/challenge). On the contrary, I think there are many who do not like me precisely because of that.

The leader of the mission also asked the question of those present, "Who are you?" I had no difficulty answering the question. With Judith, my girlfriend from the Old Testament, I rejoice knowing I am a daughter of God.

But, at least for me, knowing I am a daughter of God is not enough. I need to articulate for myself what role I play in this family.

I am the member of the family that agitates every now and again. I am the member of the family that rocks the boat a little every once in a while. And I do this so that my brothers and sisters don’t grow apathetic and complacent in their faith.

I am the member of the family who dares to say we must worhip at the cross and not worship the cross. I am the one who dares to say that sometimes people use ministry not as mission but as an attempt to monopolize the Kingdom, as if that were even possible. I am the member of the family that recognizes that sometimes people can use God as an alibi for not seeing and hearing the Crucified one in our midst.

Indeed, true converstion calls for nothing less that confrontation.

I am not the wolf. I am the member of the family who is not afraid of the wolves named "Challenge" and "Confrontation." And because of this, there are some who don’t like it, don’t like me. So be it. I grew up with these wolves fearing them tremendously. And now I embrace them lovingly.

I will not stop embracing these wolves simply because others don’t like it. What these folks don't like, indeed what they fear, is their own conversion.

And so there is confrontation. For if I stand in silence and watch as others are hurt then I am just as guilty. I don’t know about you, but I can’t own that.

Perhaps now, I can embrace this cross, that is to say, the one built of communication break down and disrespect. By embracing it I mean to say/speak out loud (or least, on this electronic parchment) that this communication breakdown exists and has caused damage to the Body of Christ. As a daughter of God I will always embrace The Crucified. I pray that by doing so and by speaking these words we can begin the process of healing and reconciliation for that is what embracing the wolf is all about.

Behold the Wood of the Cross.
Behold and Listen.
This Crucifix of San Damiano is speaking.
I only hope I am not the only one who can hear it.

It's Lent. With Whom Do You Identify?

Of the many people that appear in the scriptures during Lent and Holy Week, with whom do you most identify?

Are you one of the soldiers that pounded the nails into His cross?

Are you the sarcastic bad thief who steals hope and joy from the faithful?

Are you the good thief who cries,
"Good Jesus, remember me when you come into your reign?"

Are you Judas, one who would betray a friend with a kiss?

Are you Simon of Cyrene,
one who dares to help another with their cross?

Are you Peter,
one who not only denied knowing one of his very best friends
but also denied his own reality?

Are you like the women at the foot of the cross,
crying for another unable to help them in their agony?

Are you like His friends who ran away from it all?

Are you like Veronica,
the valient woman who wiped the face of Jesus,
breaking the barriers and the rules of protocol?

Are you like the Samaritan woman,
a person of mixed culture
who has difficult time finding acceptance in either culture?

Are you the psalmist that cries out,
"My God, my God why have you abandoned me?"

Are you the psalmist that cries out,
"As a deer yearns for running streams, so I thirst for you?"

Are you awake or asleep during prayer?

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About the photo: A beautiful stained glass window just above the main entrace in St. Frances Cabrini Church in Allen Park, MI

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