CHRISTIANS AND Catholics are often called to take up the cross. And while that typically refers to how one conducts their lives and faith, for others there is a more literal way to show that kind of devotion.
THE FAITHFUL LINE UP WAITING TO VENERATE THE CROSS OF GRATITUDE AT CHRIST CATHEDRAL’S ARBORETUM. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Vitaliy Sobolivskyy said his literal marching orders came on an April afternoon in 2003 when he heard God tell him to “Take My cross and carry it to all the capital cities of the world as a sign of gratitude for the salvation we receive through Jesus Christ.”
At the time, Ukraine was in political upheaval in the run-up to the Orange Revolution and transition to democratization. It was also a time when many like Sobolivskyy felt the world needed to lean on faith. After making drawings of his vision, Sobolivskyy contacted a pair of Ukrainian sculptors, one to carve the Cross and another for the body of Jesus, and the three created a remarkable 16-foot-by-8-foot, 800-pound crucifix made of oak.
Since then, Sobolivskyy has followed through on the directive, traveling to churches across Europe and the United States with the sculpture called the “Cross of Gratitude.” He said the Cross has been to 46 European cities, 15 United States cities, including stops at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. Along the way it has been witnessed, venerated, prayed over and kissed by more than 2 million people.
Recently, the Cross alighted in Orange County for the first time, where it was available for viewing and veneration, including a stop at the Arboretum on the Christ Cathedral campus. The Cross was presented for morning Mass, with prayers for peace in Ukraine, adoration and rosary prayers at the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Parishioners were also able to come on their own for prayer and veneration.
AN AFFECTING EXPERIENCE
“It was really emotional to see all the hard work come to fruition,” said Susan Katzmann, a parishioner at Santa Clara de Asis Catholic Church in Yorba Linda, who played a central role in bringing the pilgrimage to the diocese. As special as it was to actually see and observe the Cross in person, said she equally enjoyed “just sitting in church and watching people and their reactions, venerating and crying.”
She added that one woman told her she could feel a pulse when she touched Jesus’ feet on the crucifix.
Fr. Al Baca, Episcopal Vicar of the Office of Ecumenism and Inter-religion for the Diocese of Orange, who helped organize the visit to the Christ Cathedral campus, was similarly touched by the effect of the Cross.
“I knew it was going to be large but seeing it in the Arboretum before the Mass altar was dramatic,” he stated in a written message. “It took a team of strong men to bring it into the Arboretum. As people venerated the Cross before and after Holy Mass, I could see the impact it had on them. I was very touched by the time I spent with the Cross.”
The Cross has also been to several Diocese of Orange churches including Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church in Anaheim, where a week of nightly liturgies were conducted; Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange, where a special welcoming Mass was held; Santa Clara de Asis, St. Martin de Porres and St. John Paul II Polish Center, all in Yorba Linda. In addition, St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Tustin, a monastery in Northern California and other churches are on the pilgrimage itinerary in California.
A NEED TO SHARE
Katzmann, who with her husband, Stephen, pulled the project together locally, said she first learned of the Cross last year shortly after her mother passed away, while visiting St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Shenandoah, Pa., where her mother had been a parishioner and the Cross had visited.
“I felt compelled to want to see it,” Katzmann said.
That launched her on a journey to bring the Cross and Sobolivskyy, who resides in New Jersey, to Southern California. Sobolivskyy and the Cross rely on the generosity of the faithful for the pilgrimages, which can organically take on a life of their own. Sobolivskyy and the Cross have no online presence. Although Katzmann helped launch the latest journey, she said word of mouth and communication between churches and social media have allowed added stops and opportunities along the way. Sobolivskyy escorts the Cross with family and friends to help out and interpret his heavily accented English when needed.
Since its creation, the Cross of Gratitude and creator have been blessed by three popes: St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis. On March 10, 2004, Pope John Paul II blessed the initiators at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI, added his blessings, consecrating the Cross in 2006 during his pilgrimage in Krakow, Poland. Pope Francis blessed the Cross and all those who led the evangelization action in 2016.
Sobolivskyy’s goal is to visit every capital city in the world by 2033, the 2,000th Jubilee of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.
“The Cross of Gratitude is, I believe, important in two ways,” Fr. Al said. “It has been given a mission to proclaim Christ and urge peace, understanding and reconciliation among all people. It is a celebration of the salvation we have in Christ crucified.”