Beautiful crucifix

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Nap66

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I was at my mother’s house today and I noticed a crucifix lying on top of a filing cabinet in her “junk room.” I know she hasn’t hung this crucifix up ever and I believe the last time I saw it on the wall was in my grandmother’s bedroom. So I took the crucifix home and proceeded to clean all the dust off from it.

This is a beautiful wooden crucifix with Jesus actually cast in metal (not a speck of plastic on it). It is also one where you slide off the front portion and inside is a hidden compartment. I asked my sister why does the front slide off and she said so a person can take the crucifix on the go to bless people! Ha! Maybe.

But what about the secret compartment - is that for a vial holy water? Other sacred things? A secret safe for your valuables? (a thief would never look in a crucifix). See attached pics, one of the crucifix put together the other one with the front slid off. The secret compartment is the long verticle space under the metal hanger in the middle.(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
From my understanding, they were extremely common years ago, at least in American territories that were former missions. Today, perhaps, a thief would not look, but long ago, they would have!

The container is to keep a bit of holy water, blessed oil and a candle so that a priest could administer last rights. Or perhaps an emergency baptism. Back when it was common for people to be born and die in their homes.
 
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Exactly. I have a few of them. They were called “sick sets” in my area.
 
Yep, they’re from the days when “last rites” meant emergency, someone is at death’‘s door and needs the priest right now. More people also died at home back in the day when docs made house calls. They still sell these, but I imagine they are less popular since what used to be done only at death’'s door is now done for anyone elderly or in poor health.
 
Cool info! Now I know why my Irish grandmother had it (birth to death in the home). Does anyone know how old it may be? 1940’s, 50’s maybe?

I’m keeping my sick set and stocking it up. You just never know when you might need something…
 
It’s hard to say. Can you take it down and look at the back for a maker’s mark? These became popular in the early 1900’s but were common from the 1800’s to the mid 1900’'s. Given that it’s all metal and was likely cast, it really can’t be from during the 1940’s as much of the metal production was given to war efforts.
 
My brother was given one at confirmation by his sponsor. Very nice.
 
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