This posting has been superceded on my new blog

In response to Pope Benedict XVI's speech in Regensburg on September 12, 2006, Muslim reaction erupted on September 14 - The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross! Among the reaction was the following quote from Mujahideen Shura Council, an umbrella group led by Iraq's branch of al Qaeda:

"We shall break the cross and spill the wine. ... God will (help) Muslims to conquer Rome. ... God enable us to slit their throats, and make their money and descendants the bounty of the mujahideen,"

Is there any doubt that
Christianity
must battle Islam in the spiritual realm?

But, of course, this should never be used as an excuse for violence against any Muslim. Lest there be any doubt, the only valid use of force on a personal level is in self-defense

"Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places." Eph 6:12

The Chaplet of the Holy Cross,

to be said on regular Rosary beads.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Alleluia. (except during Lent)

On the large beads (one antiphon per decade)

O mighty work of mercy! Death died when Life died on the Tree.
Save us, O Christ our Saviour, by the virtue of the Cross: You who saved Peter perishing in the sea, have mercy upon us.
Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee all you His enemies: the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed.
But as for us, it is proper that we glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
By the Sign of the Cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Lord our God.

and on the small beads, we say

To Your Cross (+), O Master, we bow in veneration, and we glorify your holy resurrection.

after each decade, we pray

Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for the conversion of Muslims.

and then

O Lord, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Grant victory over their enemies to orthodox Christians, and protect Your people with Your Cross.

O Cross, surpassing all the stars in splendor, exceedingly dear to all Christian people and world-renowned, holiest of earth's treasures: which alone was counted worthy to hold aloft the Price of our Redemption: sweet is your wood and sweet thine iron, but sweetest of all the Burden that hung on you! O that all who come this day to celebrate your praises may find in you salvation.

O Tree of life, you surpass in greatness all the cedars of Lebanon, for on you the Life-Giver of this world was hung; on you, Christ was victorious in his death, and triumphant over all death for ever.

V. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

O Christ our God Who was voluntarily lifted up on the Cross, grant Your mercies to Your new people named after you. Gladden with Your power orthodox Christians and give them victory over their enemies. May they have as an ally that invincible trophy, Your weapon of peace.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

The 5 antiphons of the large beads are the 5 psalm antiphons of Lauds for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Roman Breviary. The responsory and the 2nd and 3rd prayers following are also taken from the Breviary. The first prayer is the Byzantine Troparion of the same feast, and the fourth prayer is the Byzantine Kontakion of the feast.

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Crusaders of the Immaculate