When we honor, or exalt, the Cross, Christians are primarily acknowledging Christ Himself (2nd Council of Nicaea). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, The Council of Trent emphasizes the unique character of Christ's sacrifice as "the source of eternal salvation" and teaches that "his most holy Passion on the wood of the cross merited justification for us." And the Church venerates his cross as she sings: "Hail, O Cross, our only hope" (CCC 617). As well as celebrating the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross commemorates two historical events. The first is the discovery in 320 AD of the True Cross, of Calvary and of the tomb of Christ by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, which the Romans had buried under a Temple to Venus. The second is the dedication of a church on the site in 335 AD. Today this church, in continuous existence since then, is known as the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, and houses Calvary, the Tomb of Jesus and the cistern in which St. Helena found the instruments of the Passion, including the Cross. READ MORE Prior to His Crucifixion, Our Lord spoke of His death on the Cross several times to His disciples, first in allusions, and then directly. Matthew 10:37-38 “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”Mt. 16;24 “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”Mt. 20:18–19 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”Mt. 26:2 You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of man will be delivered up to be crucified.”