Jubilee Cross Brings Sacred Relic to Holy Ghost Church, Inspiring Faithful in Bangalore

Bangalore, February 13, 2025— Holy Ghost Church in Richards’ Town, Archdiocese of Bangalore, welcomed the Jubilee Cross on February 8 and 9 as part of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 celebrations. The Jubilee Cross, designated by the Archdiocese, carries a tiny fragment of the relic of the True Cross, making its visit a privileged occasion for the parish community.

Parish priest Fr. Siluvai Muthu, C.Ss.R., along with co-pastors Fr. Rajanayagam, C.Ss.R., and Fr. Sandeep Menezes, C.Ss.R., led the welcoming ceremony. The Cross was incensed and carried in procession from the Presbytery to the main church, where it remained available for veneration. Throughout the two-day event, members of various parish groups, including Basic Ecclesial Communities, pious associations, youth, and catechists, participated in the veneration. Hymns and prayers accompanied the ceremony as individuals approached the Cross, some visibly moved, touching their rosaries and religious articles to the relic.

The True Cross, believed to be the cross of Jesus' crucifixion, remained hidden for centuries until St. Helena discovered it in Jerusalem in the early fourth century. Tradition holds that its authenticity was confirmed when a dead youth revived upon touching it. This led to the construction of churches on Calvary and the annual Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the Catholic Church.

This year, in solidarity with the global Church and the Archdiocese of Bangalore, this prominent parish will organise several programs emphasising hope, repentance, and acts of mercy inspired by the victorious Cross of Christ.

The visit of the Jubilee Cross served as a powerful reminder that, for believers, the Cross of Jesus is a symbol of victory and hope, through which the human race was saved. The presence of the Jubilee Cross highlighted the call for the faithful to become "Pilgrims of Hope" by embracing hope amid life’s challenges and extending Christ’s love to others with joy.

By Fr. Sandeep Menezes C.Ss.R.