Christian thought is not only permeated by the crossit is dominated by it. The cross, in fact, is no mere symbol of religious belief, but a constant reality: it is the sign of triumph, the sign of redemption, and its tremendous implications are not restricted to an historic moment in time. That is to say, the redemption was not a process accomplished at Calvary, without any further relevance in the everyday existence of mankind. On the contrary, the process of redemption is continually manifested in all the activities of the mystical body, Christ's Church.

This is often overlooked by the faithful who constitute the Church. We are prone to underestimate our riches and our potentialities; we tend to seclude ourselves in spiritual catacombs, fearful of identifying ourselves with the events of the world at large.

In this respect, the true significance of the cross is lost to us.