The Angel
The four Houses of Holy Cross are derived from the four traditional images of the Gospels - the angel, the lion, the ox, and the eagle. These images first find their expression in the Old Testament prophesies of Ezekiel and again later in the New Testament in the book of Revelation, as they are described as the same four living creatures surrounding the Thorne of God. It was the Church Fathers who recognized and first attributed these living creatures to the Gospel writers - Matthew, Mark, & Luke & John. The Angel, which is also translated as "the face of a man", corresponds to Matthew's Gospel, which focuses on Jesus' human lineage and rightful legitimacy to the throne of David. It also begins an initial focus on the Incarnation - the moment God takes a human face.
The Lion
The four Houses of Holy Cross are derived from the four traditional images of the Gospels - the angel, the lion, the ox, and the eagle. These images first find their expression in the Old Testament prophesies of Ezekiel and again later in the New Testament in the book of Revelation, as they are described as the same four living creatures surrounding the Thorne of God. It was the Church Fathers who recognized and first attributed these living creatures to the Gospel writers - Matthew, Mark, & Luke & John. The Lion corresponds to Mark's Gospel as it begins with Jesus' cousin John the Baptist being "the voice crying out in the wilderness", much like the 'roar of a lion'. Additionally, the text emphasizes Jesus' royal dignity, as well as the power of his Resurrection.
The Ox
The Four Households of Holy Cross are derived from the four traditional images of the Gospels - the angel, the lion, the ox, and the eagle. These images first find their expression in the Old Testament prophesies of Ezekiel and again later in the New Testament in the book of Revelation, as they are described as the same four living creatures surrounding the Thorne of God. It was the Church Fathers who recognized and first attributed these living creatures to the Gospel writers - Matthew, Mark, & Luke & John. The Ox corresponds to Luke's Gospel as much of his Gospel takes place in the temple and has an emphasis on the sacrificial & priestly role of Christ.
The Eagle
The Four Households of Holy Cross are derived from the four traditional images of the Gospels - the angel, the lion, the ox, and the eagle. These images first find their expression in the Old Testament prophesies of Ezekiel and again later in the New Testament in the book of Revelation, as they are described as the same four living creatures surrounding the Thorne of God. It was the Church Fathers who recognized and first attributed these living creatures to the Gospel writers - Matthew, Mark, & Luke & John. The Eagle corresponds to John's Gospel as it soars theologically the highest of the four Gospels, having been written with an assumed knowledge of the first three Gospels. Also it's richness comes from the fact that it is the work of an Apostle, and the only one who witnessed Jesus' crucifixion, and who afterwards spent the rest of his life meditating on these mysteries, alongside the Blessed Mother.