The following homily was given by the then – Archbishop Justin Rigali in the Cathedral in St. Louis on Good Friday, April 10, 1998.

The Church celebrates the Death of Jesus, gratefully acknowledging his Cross as the great sign of victory over sin and death. In the liturgy the Death and Resurrection of Jesus become our destiny and our triumph. The Church is proud of all the actions of Christ but her greatest boast is the Cross. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.