B
Brendan
Guest
That is what my pastor does as well. There is a large wall crucifix on the back wall, and he has a small crucifix on that altar facing towards him. The processional cross is placed out of sight during Mass.Most of the older churches have a high altar with a large crucifix on the back wall.
If one uses a freestanding altar, positioned in front of the high altar a smaller crucifix is on the altar. A processional cross should be removed from sight but us often left to the side.
That is my understanding as a sacrastin.
The Pope also lamented the non use of the larger cross by the priests,he was told it blocks the view of the celebrant.
Note the size of the crucifix in the picture you provided.