Crucified Christ and Canon Law

[Feedmysheep]

A friend of mine recently stated that Canon law states that a crucified, NOT risen Christ must be the main display in the sanctuary for the majority of the year. She brought this up after visiting a local parish which has a risen Christ on a cross up all year.

Is this correct? If so, could someone direct me to documentation?

She also states that a priest must be looking at a Crucifix during the Consecration, even if it is a small on the altar, yet I’ve never seen this observed. Comments?

Thanks. I hate quoting things that turn out to be untrue.

FMS

 

[otjm]

I cannot quote the rule, but it is my understanding that there is to be a crucified Christ in the sanctuary during the Mass, and that the processional cross with the corpus satisfies that requirement.

 

[TheDoctor]

Try looking at this thread
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=177770&highlight=crucifix+on+altar

 

[cameron_lansing]

A friend of mine recently stated that Canon law states that a crucified, NOT risen Christ must be the main display in the sanctuary for the majority of the year. She brought this up after visiting a local parish which has a risen Christ on a cross up all year.

Is this correct? If so, could someone direct me to documentation?

She also states that a priest must be looking at a Crucifix during the Consecration, even if it is a small on the altar, yet I’ve never seen this observed. Comments?

Thanks. I hate quoting things that turn out to be untrue.

FMS

I’m glad you are both thoughtful and perceptive. The onus is upon your friend to present the relevant canon or liturgical law which she asserts with such specificity. I will tell you with reasonable confidence that it is not in the code of canon law, and leave the rest to your investigation with her.

 

[Sure]

I’m glad you are both thoughtful and perceptive. The onus is upon your friend to present the relevant canon or liturgical law which she asserts with such specificity. I will tell you with reasonable confidence that it is not in the code of canon law, and leave the rest to your investigation with her.

As for the crucifix requirement, it’s in the General Instruction:

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. 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 would seem that a “risen” Christ is not sufficient because it is not “crucified.”

 

[Formosus]

The Crucified Christ is mandated in Sacrosanctum concilium, canon law, and the GIRM to my knowledge. The “Risen Christ” is not appropriate liturgically… The Mass is a representation of the Sacrifice of Calvry, how is it appropriate to have the Risen Lord behind the Altar?