The vision of the Cross which Conchita saw gives us an understanding of the Spirituality of the Cross. The Holy Spirit is situated above the Cross, and His influence is pervasive. The Cross seems to be floating in the Rays of the Holy Spirit. In the pierced Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns is represented Jesus’ immense love for us, together with His intense suffering. The tiny cross above the Heart of Jesus represents the interior suffering He experienced in the Garden of Olives, the night before He died. This picture is sometimes presented with two words—“Amor” and “Dolor”—which mean “Love” and “Suffering in Sorrow.”               The Cross of the Apostolate symbolically is a symbolic representation of our Redeemer. In the center of the Cross is represented the suffering Heart of Jesus covered with the Light of the Holy Spirit.

              The Cross also represents the person trying to live the Spirituality of the Cross; a person who, with the grace, light, and strength of the Holy Spirit, is able to become the true disciple, one who carries the crosses of life with real love for Christ. At first one comes to know Jesus, then to love Him. Through prayer and Scripture, with the help of the Holy Spirit, it is possible to begin to penetrate the Mystery of the Heart of Jesus and to arrive not only at an appreciation of His physical sufferings, but His interior sufferings as well. These are represented by the small cross upon His Heart. One of the great interior sufferings of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane was the knowledge of so many souls who would be lost, for whom He would suffer in vain. It is possible, with the grace of God, for one to begin to have in a small way, the same mind, the same heart and something of the same love and suffering that Jesus had for us. This is always a gift of the Holy Spirit, however, Who is pictured above the Cross and Whose Rays penetrate the Cross and lift it up.

              The Spirituality of the Cross is a call to discipleship for lay people, as well as for religious and clergy. Jesus said, “If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up this cross, and follow in my steps” (Mark 8:34). The words “love” and “suffering” call to mind the love of a mother. Maternal love is a pure love, a deep love, a love that is willing to forget oneself in sacrifice.

The Spirituality of the Cross may seem at first glance somewhat depressing. This is because one forgets that the Cross is floating in the Rays of the Holy Spirit. Those whose lives are moved by love and are deeply influenced by the Holy Spirit, lead full and happy lives. The first three fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy and peace.

Conchita is a woman for our time and age. She was married, a widow and consequently, a single parent: the mother of nine children. None of her children seemed to be aware of the depth of her religious experience, or her extraordinary virtue. For them, she fulfilled her role of mother in a very loving way. Conchita had little formal education, yet her spiritual influence has been great. The cause for her beatification is steadily progressing.

              It is not possible for us to imitate Conchita in her penance, but her basic spirituality is for lay and religious alike. It is the basic spirituality taught by Jesus in the Gospel. It only has meaning however, for those who are really serious about following Jesus.