Service with the Cross
Click here to download this webpage in a Word document.

This rite is used when the groups of young people are invited to pray before a Cross; it may be adapted according to the circumstances and needs of the community.

Introductory Rites

An appropriate hymn may be sung as a gathering hymn.  If deemed appropriate a Cross for veneration may be carried by young people in procession.

The leader who is a deacon or priest:            
In the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All:                                   
Amen.

The Leader:            
The Lord be with you.

All:                                   
And also with you.

___________________________________________________________________________

A lay leader signs him/herself saying:            
Let us praise the Lord Jesus Christ who redeemed us through his death on the cross.  Blessed be God for ever.

All:                                   
Blessed be God for ever.

___________________________________________________________________________

Communal Prayer

The leader continues:              
Let us pray together:

Lord, our God and loving Father, grant us a deeper insight into the meaning of the cross of your Son, Jesus.  We contemplate the cross, as did Mary, the Mother of the Lord, John the faithful witness, Stephen the first Martyr and so many others after them.

May we see the glory of your Son shining from the Cross; the glory of a love that is faithful to the end.  Grant us a share in the experience of the first disciples, the saints, mystics and martyrs who forgave their enemies and offered their lives for their faith.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Brother, who forgave his tormentors and revealed himself to be the Messiah, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Reading from the Word of God

The Leader:           
Let us be seated and be attentive to the Word of God.

A reader may read John 12:23-24, 31-33 or some other appropriate reading. 

Psalm

If deemed appropriate otherwise Psalm 22, (for musical settings see CBW III: 63), Psalm 31 (for musical setting see CBW III: 70) or some other appropriate Psalm may be sung.  If not sung a reader may also proclaim the Psalm with the congregation responding with the response.

Reflection

The leader or some other minister may give a reflection on the Word of God at this time.  For possible written reflections that may be used see Prayers for World Youth Day 2002 pgs 23-29, 38-39 or some other appropriate text about the mystery of the Cross may be used.

Silence/Song

A period of silence may then follow.  An appropriate hymn may also be used either in place of the silence or at the end of it before the intercessions.

Intercessions

Below is a sample of intercession and response.  Other intercessions may be added according to the needs of the community.  A sung response to the intercession may also be used if deemed appropriate.

The Leader:           
God is the source of all goodness and life.  Let us now place our prayers of intercession before him, trusting in his divine providence.

Someone other than the leader should be designated to present the petitions.           

The reader:           
Lord Jesus, Son of the living God, in the desert your healed those who looked upon the serpent raised up by Moses as a sign of salvation.  Save us by your Cross, from the poison of pride and an exclusive concern for ourselves and our own fulfillment.

All:                       
Lord by your Cross and Resurrection, hear us and save us.

The reader:            
Lord Jesus, only Son of the Father, you gave yourself on the Cross to set us free.  Give the fullness of life to those who seek the way of your Cross with a living hope.

All:                       
Lord by your Cross and Resurrection, hear us and save us.

The reader:            
Lord Jesus, only begotten Son of the Father and almighty judge, you came to save and not to condemn the world.  Save us by your sacred Cross.

All:                 
Lord by your Cross and Resurrection, hear us and save us.

The reader:            
Lord Jesus, you said to your disciples: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself”.  May young people today be drawn to the power of your love poured out on the Cross.

All:                 
Lord by your Cross and Resurrection, hear us and save us.

Our Father

The leader invites the assembly to prayer in these or similar words:

The Father sent his only Son into our world to redeem the whole of creation.  Before Jesus experienced his passion, death and resurrection he invited his disciples to prayer in this way:

All:           
Our Father...

Veneration of the Cross

The leader invites the assembly to come forward to venerate the Cross with these or similar words:

The leader:           
My sisters and brothers by our common baptism we have embraced the Cross of Christ, thus dying with him. We have also been caught up in his resurrection, thus rising with him. Let us now come forward to venerate the cross of our Saviour.

Final Prayer (together)

Lord, grant us the courage to face the Cross.  Let us never accept suffering for its own sake nor give up on life and its joys.  Never let us be satisfied with our misery for its own sake.  Help us to accept the Cross if it means abandoning ourselves to you.  Help us to recognize that we are in your hands, even when everything seems to indicate the contrary.  Help us to accept the Cross, if it is the price of the battle against injustice, violence, hatred and the abuse of power.  Help us to risk the Cross, to suffer and even to die for the sake of making the world more human.  Help us to accept the Cross if it means announcing you, the God of Life to those for whom life has lost all of its meaning.  Today, we accept the Christian way, to be your disciples and to bring hope to those who despair.  Amen

Signing the Cross

The leader invites the to sign each other’s foreheads with the Sign of the Cross, as a reminder of our Baptism through which we became members of God’s family.  It should also be a gesture reflecting our desire to have the Cross planted deeply within our hearts in order to help us announce to the world the self-giving love of Christ.

Final Blessing

The leader:           
May God, our gracious Father, who in the Cross of Jesus his Son, showed the greatness of his love for us, bless us with the joy of the Holy Spirit in our service to our sisters and brothers.

All:                       
Amen.

The leader:            
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death on the Cross you saved us from eternal death, bless us with the gift of everlasting life.

All:
Amen.

The leader:            
Sisters and brothers, you have venerated and been signed the Cross of the humble and suffering Christ; may you also have a share in his resurrection.

All:                       
Amen.

The leader who is a deacon or priest:            
May almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son X and the Holy Spirit.

A lay leader signs him/herself saying:            
May almighty God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who has redeemed us through the mystery of the cross, enrich us with every gift, now and for ever.

All:                                   
Amen.

Closing Hymn

The service may conclude with an appropriate hymn.