Consequently it is impossible to follow Christ without being renewed and taking up one's cross "each day".

Jesus teaches that becoming his disciple requires taking up one's cross and that whoever loses his life for him and the good news will save it.

The archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, who led a dawn Mass, said the celebration personifies "taking up one's crosses and trials in life in imitation of Christ."

But criminals carrying their own cross to the place of crucifixion was a common sight in the Roman Empire, so the metaphor was probably in common use (see 16:24 for an explanation of what might be involved in taking up one's cross).

It seems particularly apt as a prayer that we could easily envisage on the lips of Brebeuf and his fellow missionary companions, those martyred and those who were spared to struggle daily to be faithful to God by taking up one's cross daily in surrender.