Altar Cross/Crucifix?

[Penitant]

I’m currently in college and once a month we have Mass here on campus in our chapel. The chapel isn’t specifically Catholic, so it lacks things like an altar cross.

The specific question I need answered is “what is suitable?”

I’ve seen 15" tall altar crosses that stand on the altar itself. Is it permissible or appropriate to have it blocking the view between the congregation and the consecration of the Eucharist? I don’t have an issue with this (you don’t have such a view during a Tridentine Mass until the priest elevates the Host for adoration anyways), but I’m more looking for a way to respond to questions or concerns that others might have.

I think a processional crucifix would be the best answer, but we don’t have the funds available (unless someone here knows of somewhere with an extra one they’d be willing to part with). We’ll probably be able to raise around $500, but we’re also using that to replace chalices and patens (we’re currently using glass ones).

So, to summarize, what is a suitable altar crucifix for a chapel in which we don’t have the ability to have anything permanent and on limited funds?

Pax Vobiscum,
Zach

 

[benedictgal]

I’m currently in college and once a month we have Mass here on campus in our chapel. The chapel isn’t specifically Catholic, so it lacks things like an altar cross.

The specific question I need answered is “what is suitable?”

I’ve seen 15" tall altar crosses that stand on the altar itself. Is it permissible or appropriate to have it blocking the view between the congregation and the consecration of the Eucharist? I don’t have an issue with this (you don’t have such a view during a Tridentine Mass until the priest elevates the Host for adoration anyways), but I’m more looking for a way to respond to questions or concerns that others might have.

I think a processional crucifix would be the best answer, but we don’t have the funds available (unless someone here knows of somewhere with an extra one they’d be willing to part with). We’ll probably be able to raise around $500, but we’re also using that to replace chalices and patens (we’re currently using glass ones).

So, to summarize, what is a suitable altar crucifix for a chapel in which we don’t have the ability to have anything permanent and on limited funds?

Pax Vobiscum,
Zach

You don’t have to spend several hundreds of dollars for a suitable altar crucifix. If your city has a religious goods store, they might be able to help you find a reasonably affordable crucifix that is also suitable for altar use. Of course, I’m spoiled becuse (until the passports become an issue) I can always walk across the bridge and get a very reasonably priced on in Mexico for a fraction of the cost on the Texas side.

But, I digress. You don’t have to have a huge crucifix for it to be suitable for the Mass. Just be sure that it does have a corpus on it. Now, you might also be able to incorporate the crucifix into a processional cross. Do you have any vocational shop students in your area who might be willing to help? If you have a Job Corps center near by, the carpentry trade students could help you. If there’s a will, there’s a way to get things done.

 

[Penitant]

You don’t have to spend several hundreds of dollars for a suitable altar crucifix. If your city has a religious goods store, they might be able to help you find a reasonably affordable crucifix that is also suitable for altar use. Of course, I’m spoiled becuse (until the passports become an issue) I can always walk across the bridge and get a very reasonably priced on in Mexico for a fraction of the cost on the Texas side.

But, I digress. You don’t have to have a huge crucifix for it to be suitable for the Mass. Just be sure that it does have a corpus on it. Now, you might also be able to incorporate the crucifix into a processional cross. Do you have any vocational shop students in your area who might be willing to help? If you have a Job Corps center near by, the carpentry trade students could help you. If there’s a will, there’s a way to get things done.

I’m not terribly worried about finding something minimally suitable. Processional crosses are expensive, but simple standing altar crucifixes are relatively easy to find and not prohibitively expensive. However, if we go this route, I’m curious about placement. I’ve never been to a Church or chapel that didn’t have a hanging or large free standing crucifix. What’s the appropriate placement for a crucifix that stands on the altar itself?

If anyone has pictures of such setups, I would be very appreciative.

Pax,
Zach

 

[benedictgal]

I’m not terribly worried about finding something minimally suitable. Processional crosses are expensive, but simple standing altar crucifixes are relatively easy to find and not prohibitively expensive. However, if we go this route, I’m curious about placement. I’ve never been to a Church or chapel that didn’t have a hanging or large free standing crucifix. What’s the appropriate placement for a crucifix that stands on the altar itself?

If anyone has pictures of such setups, I would be very appreciative.

Pax,
Zach

You can have it either hanging behind the altar (high enough where it can be seen). If it is used as a processional cross, you can place it to the side of the altar (Papal Masses usually have a large crucifix placed to the side, but, always in the sanctuary). Because of the special circumstances of your situation, you don’t have to have something large, as the space does not belong to you.

I don’t have pictures to show you; however, you can look at some of the photos of Papal Masses (celebrated at St. Peter’s Square) to give you an idea of where you could place the crucifix. Go to www.vatican.va and check out the media section. I hope this helps.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I’m not terribly worried about finding something minimally suitable. Processional crosses are expensive, but simple standing altar crucifixes are relatively easy to find and not prohibitively expensive. However, if we go this route, I’m curious about placement. I’ve never been to a Church or chapel that didn’t have a hanging or large free standing crucifix. What’s the appropriate placement for a crucifix that stands on the altar itself?

If anyone has pictures of such setups, I would be very appreciative.

Pax,
Zach

When we do masses at the retirement homes we place the crucifix and candles on the table being used as an altar.

 

[Penitant]

When we do masses at the retirement homes we place the crucifix and candles on the table being used as an altar.

How large of a crucifix do you use?
Is it standing or does it lay flat?
Is the corpus facing the priest, or the congregation?

Thanks
Zach

 

[japhy]

I’ve seen 15" tall altar crosses that stand on the altar itself. Is it permissible or appropriate to have it blocking the view between the congregation and the consecration of the Eucharist? I don’t have an issue with this (you don’t have such a view during a Tridentine Mass until the priest elevates the Host for adoration anyways), but I’m more looking for a way to respond to questions or concerns that others might have.

There is nothing wrong with the crucifix being placed on the altar. If the priest is celebrating Mass facing the people, it is appropriate to have the crucifix on the far side of the altar (opposite the priest, on the congregation’s side) so that it is a focal point for the priest during the Eucharistic Prayer. It that case, the corpus on the crucifix can face the priest rather than the people; however, the corpus could just as well face the people.

All the images below are from the Ordinary Form of the Mass – that is, not the Tridentine (Extraordinary Form), but the revised liturgy of Paul VI.

img156.imageshack.us/img156/1599/stickler1af8.png
img337.imageshack.us/img337/23/or464598cb3.jpg
img88.imageshack.us/img88/640/or464599dz7.jpg
bp2.blogger.com/_YC87epvokPc/R0vekMwFTKI/AAAAAAAADwM/PxgRqTJw9Gs/s400/efpope24.jpg
bp3.blogger.com/_YC87epvokPc/R0veIcwFTJI/AAAAAAAADwE/xVRZLH6avSw/s400/efpope23.jpg
bp2.blogger.com/_YC87epvokPc/R0veHMwFTII/AAAAAAAADv8/AO1EZiRcmpc/s400/efpope21.jpg
img91.imageshack.us/img91/1453/watermarks2fq3.jpg

 

[Penitant]

Japhy-

Thank you, that was exactly what I was looking for.

Pax Tecum,
Zach

 

[japhy]

Thank you, that was exactly what I was looking for.

You’re welcome. Here’s an excerpt from an EWTN answer on the matter:Thus, strictly speaking, the altar crucifix is in relationship to the altar, and not just to the priest, and for this reason the “corpus” is usually turned toward the altar.

 

[John_Lilburne]

I think the figure of Christ should face the people, rather than the priest. Also the crucifix should not be so big as to obstruct the people’s view.

My basis for this is from the 2002 General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) approved for the USA, which can be accessed from romanrite.com/girm.html :

“307. The candles, which are required at every liturgical service out of reverence and on account of the festiveness of the celebration (cf. above, no. 117), are to be appropriately placed either on or around the altar in a way suited to the design of the altar and the sanctuary so that the whole may be well balanced and not interfere with the faithful’s clear view of what takes place at the altar or what is placed on it.
308. There is also to be a cross, with the figure of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar or near it, where it is clearly visible to the assembled congregation. It is appropriate that such a cross, which calls to mind for the faithful the saving Passion of the Lord, remain near the altar even outside of liturgical celebrations.”

It is saying specifically that the candles should not block the view. It is logical that the same apply to the crucifix. The “clearly visible” part leads me to believe that the figure should face the people, rather than the priest.

 

[japhy]

I think the figure of Christ should face the people, rather than the priest. Also the crucifix should not be so big as to obstruct the people’s view.

The idea of candles and a crucifix obstructing the view of the altar doesn’t hold much weight with me (and I might add that the Pope has his altars arranged with candles and crucifix upon them, in between him and the congregation). The reason is because candles are thin, and the crucifix is essentially thin as well. While you may not be able to see 100% of the altar and its contents, you can certainly see most of it. The priest also elevates the Precious Body and Precious Blood for adoration just after the consecration, so they can certainly be seen then.

1. There is also to be a cross, with the figure of Christ crucified upon it, either on the altar or near it, where it is clearly visible to the assembled congregation.

The “clearly visible” part leads me to believe that the figure should face the people, rather than the priest.

The crucifix must be “clearly visible”, not necessarily the corpus (the figure). See Fr. Z’s analysis.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

How large of a crucifix do you use?
Is it standing or does it lay flat?
Is the corpus facing the priest, or the congregation?

Thanks
Zach

I haven’t done it for a few years, so don’t remember exactly. As I recall the crucifix is about 12" high and on a stand. I think it faces the corporal.

 

[John_Lilburne]

…
The crucifix must be “clearly visible”, not necessarily the corpus (the figure). See Fr. Z’s analysis.

Say I had a cross, rather than a crucifix, on the wall. To satisfy this interpretation of the GIRM, all I would need to do is draw a figure of Christ on the back, so it was facing the wall and no one saw it.

Clearly this is missing the spirit of what the GIRM is communicating. Four times it refers to a “figure of Christ crucified” (n. 117, 122 and 308). It is highlighting the importance of this figure. So, to my mind, it follows that the people should see this figure.

 

[japhy]

Say I had a cross, rather than a crucifix, on the wall. To satisfy this interpretation of the GIRM, all I would need to do is draw a figure of Christ on the back, so it was facing the wall and no one saw it.

Clearly this is missing the spirit of what the GIRM is communicating. Four times it refers to a “figure of Christ crucified” (n. 117, 122 and 308). It is highlighting the importance of this figure. So, to my mind, it follows that the people should see this figure.

Yes, your example is missing the spirit of the GIRM, whereas a crucifix on the altar, visible to both the priest and the congregation, but with the corpus facing the altar (and the priest) is not missing the spirit of the GIRM. The fact that it is a crucifix is not “hidden”, and the fact that the cross is not bare is the important thing. Besides, this is the sort of thing that catechesis is supposed to explain.

 

[Rabbititus]

Maybe check out places like ebay, I found a nice silver crucifix from an old 1892 Viaticum set for $9.00 a few years ago. It was missing its original stand, so I bought a cheap spindle and drilled a hole at the top end to stick the crucifix into. It sits on one of my shelves in a sort of shine I made, and makes me happy whenever I see it.

However, I have since heard that one isn’t supposed to buy blessed objects, so maybe someone else could clarify if it’s okay to buy used religious objects on ebay if it is likely to have blessed.

 

[R11]

Maybe check out places like ebay, I found a nice silver crucifix from an old 1892 Viaticum set for $9.00 a few years ago. It was missing its original stand, so I bought a cheap spindle and drilled a hole at the top end to stick the crucifix into. It sits on one of my shelves in a sort of shine I made, and makes me happy whenever I see it.

However, I have since heard that one isn’t supposed to buy blessed objects, so maybe someone else could clarify if it’s okay to buy used religious objects on ebay if it is likely to have blessed.

I don’t know the specific answer but I do know that:

1. 3rd Class relics are allowed to be sold. 2nd and 1st are NOT.
2. Things that are sold loose their blessing and need to be Blessed again.

Given that your Crucifix was from a Viaticum set it may or may not be a highly sacred item. Again, I am unsure if you can or cannot buy it, you have to check with a qualified Priest. If not, the best thing is to return it to the Church.