Cross of Gratitude.

THE CROSS OF GRATITUDE IS COMING TO HOLY FAMILY CHURCH

NOVEMBER 14-20, 2025

SPECIAL WELCOME MASS – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th @ 6:30 PM

** Please note due to this visit and Mass, Confession will be cancelled this day. **

The Ukrainian Cross of Gratitude is an 800 pound, 16 foot high and 8 foot wide wooden cross crafted by Vitaliy Sobolivskyy in Lviv, Ukraine in 2003. The cross is on a spiritual pilgrimage to visit every capital city in the world by 2033, the 2000th jubilee anniversary of the crucifixion death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, as a sign of gratitude for the salvation we receive through Jesus Christ. The mission and its initiators have been blessed by three popes: 2004 by St. John Paul II at the Vatican, 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI in Poland and again in 2012 at the Vatican and 2016 by Pope Francis at the Vatican. The mission of the pilgrimage with the Cross of Gratitude began with the words heard by Vitaliy on the day of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in 2003:

“Take My Cross and carry it to all the capitals of the world as a sign of gratitude to Almighty God for our salvation, which we receive from Jesus Christ.”

The cross has traveled to 46 European capitals, including Kyiv, Warsaw, Rome, Paris, Berlin, the Baltic countries, Scandinavia, and Great Britain, as well as various locations within the United States since 2003. In many places, the Cross was present during Holy Mass, night vigils and adoration. Since the beginning of the pilgrimage, the cross has been visited and carried by men and women of many faiths including Catholic Christian, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, and Buddhist.

Come pray and spend some time with the Cross and become a Cyrenian and help carry the message of the Cross forward (Luke 23:26).