Carry the Cross

No fixed feast day in the calendar

Jesus invites disciples to deny themselves and take up their cross daily to follow Him.

Denying self and taking up the cross

Jesus says to his disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." He teaches that whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for his sake will find it. This is not just a call to suffer, but a call to deny oneself to live for love. The cross is not a meaningless burden, but the path to glory. Following Jesus requires determination, putting God's will above personal desires every day. It is a deep communion with the Lord's passion to share in his resurrection.

Prayer

The path of self-giving love

The cross is a symbol of self-giving love. Embracing it means entering the path that leads to glory.
Denying oneself opens the heart to God. It is not destroying the self, but letting God reign within us.
Carrying the cross daily is a witness. Our everyday life becomes the place where we testify to God's love.

Lord, help me to courageously accept my cross every day so that I may become more like You.

Prayer

Lord, give me the strength to carry my cross daily and faithfully follow You on the path of love.

The text on this page is the card in the Catholic Information app, word for word.