St. Helena was in the Holy Land.
She closed her eyes prayerfully. She stood on holy ground.
Beneath her feet, three wood crosses were buried deep in the earth at Golgotha.
This was the true cross, the place where salvation was purchased for all of us. How did she get here?
Helena was the mother of Constantine, the Roman emperor who legalized Christianity in the fourth century. By the time of her pilgrimage, she was in her eighties, yet her faith drove her to seek out the places where Christ lived, died, and rose.
Constantine himself entrusted her with this mission: to honor Christ’s memory and raise churches in His name.
Arriving in Jerusalem around the year 326, Helena poured her resources and energy into uncovering the sacred sites of Christ’s Passion. Guided by local Christians, she helped uncover three wooden crosses buried at Golgotha. Unsure which one had borne Christ, tradition tells us that a dying woman was brought to touch them. When she was healed by one, Helena and those with her knew they had found the True Cross.
Her journey did not stop there. She ordered the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over Christ’s tomb, the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and other holy shrines that still stand today. Through her devotion, the holiest places of Christianity were preserved for pilgrims throughout the centuries.
Because of her, Christians have, for over 1,600 years, been able to kneel in the very places where heaven touched earth.
We may not all be able to travel to the Holy Land, but we are all called to honor the cross, just like St. Helena. Experience the solace of the cross, and create a connection to the Holy Land, with this Olive Wood Relic Cross. Crafted from smooth olive wood, this comforting cross features a relic that touched the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Order yours today from The Catholic Company!
