Crucifix on the Altar

[Catholig]

Someone on another thread mentioned that the Code of Canon Law or something to that effect required that there be a crucifix “on or near the altar”. My question is - is this in reference to the metal crucifix on the altar like that on EWTN? My church doesn’t have a crucifix like that - we do however have a lifesized crucifix above the altar…but I’m not sure if that counts.

Catholig

 

[palmas85]

Someone on another thread mentioned that the Code of Canon Law or something to that effect required that there be a crucifix “on or near the altar”. My question is - is this in reference to the metal crucifix on the altar like that on EWTN? My church doesn’t have a crucifix like that - we do however have a lifesized crucifix above the altar…but I’m not sure if that counts.

Catholig

The crucifix is to be in or near the sanctuary, not necessarily the altar itself.

 

[Melanie01]

Sorry Palmas I am confused…why would the sanctuary not have the altar in it and therefore not the crucifix.

The sanctuary should have altar, tabernacle , crucifix at the least I would have thought…

Often the crucifix is a massive dominate item and is suspended from the roof or afixed to the wall …

 

[rciadan]

Someone on another thread mentioned that the Code of Canon Law or something to that effect required that there be a crucifix “on or near the altar”. My question is - is this in reference to the metal crucifix on the altar like that on EWTN? My church doesn’t have a crucifix like that - we do however have a lifesized crucifix above the altar…but I’m not sure if that counts.

Catholig

This is quoted directly from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which can be found and downloaded from the USCCB website.

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. (Bold and italics added)

I would interpret this to mean that a crucifix on the wall behind the Altar is good. It must; however, be a cross with the crucified Christ upon it! If it is not, there must another cross with the corpus on it on or near the Altar: not on or near the sanctuary. A crucifix over in the corner is not according to the GIRM.

 

[Feedmysheep]

So does the Crucifix carried in during the procession, then placed in a stand behind the priest’s chair count?
I ask because I started another thread (forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=2893189#post2893189) asking sort of the same question. A local parish has the Crucified Christ only on the cross carried in during the process. Risen Christ on the cross is the main one over the altar.

FMS

 

[mystified]

Feedmysheep,
I’ve wondered about this too, particularly in the parish I sometimes attend where the church is “round”. The processional cross, with corpus, is brought up to the altar, then deposited in a front pew where the altargirls are seated, off the “stage” where the altar is located.

 

[palmas85]

Sorry Palmas I am confused…why would the sanctuary not have the altar in it and therefore not the crucifix.

The sanctuary should have altar, tabernacle , crucifix at the least I would have thought…

Often the crucifix is a massive dominate item and is suspended from the roof or afixed to the wall …

I agree. I merely said what the rubrics call for. Many Churches these days have no crucifix at all. Often the Tabernacle is no where near the Sanctuary and in many newer churches there is no discernable sanctuary period. It all goes to the community aspect of religion. The community is whatamtters above all else.

 

[CatholicCid]

Feedmysheep,
I’ve wondered about this too, particularly in the parish I sometimes attend where the church is “round”. The processional cross, with corpus, is brought up to the altar, then deposited in a front pew where the altargirls are seated, off the “stage” where the altar is located.

Though I’m not positive, I remember hearing somewhere that 1 crucifix is to be in a prominant place in the Sanctuary.
I would think this comes from GIRM 308 as it says “a crucifix”, but I am not positive.
At most parishes in my area though the processional Crucifix is either placed off to the side of the Sanctuary near the Servers or in the Sacristy, so I’ve assumed it to be the case as we would have a much larger, more prominant Crucifix either behind or suspended above the Altar.

I don’t believe a risen Christ cross would count as a Crucifix so the processional Crucifix should be kept in view if there is no Crucifix to my understandings.

As for the Tabernacle in the Sanctuary, to my understanding of the GIRM, though preferred, it does not have to be place in the Sanctuary. (Personally, I prefer it in the Sanctuary for most Church’s I’ve seen)

The Place for the Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist

1. In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.125

The one tabernacle should be immovable, be made of solid and inviolable material that is not transparent, and be locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is prevented to the greatest extent possible.126 Moreover, it is appropriate that, before it is put into liturgical use, it be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual.127

1. It is more in keeping with the meaning of the sign that the tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved not be on an altar on which Mass is celebrated.128

Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgment of the Diocesan Bishop,

Either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration (cf. above, no. 303);

Or even in some chapel suitable for the faithful’s private adoration and prayer129 and which is organically connected to the church and readily visible to the Christian faithful.
316. In accordance with traditional custom, near the tabernacle a special lamp, fueled by oil or wax, should be kept alight to indicate and honor the presence of Christ.130

1. In no way should all the other things prescribed by law concerning the reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist be forgotten.131

 

[Feedmysheep]

Well, the amount of confusion and ambiguity here has softened my exasperation with the local parish, which has a large risen Christ suspended above the altar, and only a small crucified Christ, carried in the processional, then placed out of the way.

So it would seem that my friend was both right and wrong.

But what about the priest having to look at a crucifix during the consecration? This was another thing she insisted was in Canon law- that during the consecration, the celebrant MUST be looking at a crucifix, even if it was a small one placed on the altar (a recent modification since priests traditionally celebrated Mass facing the large crucifix suspended over the altar) Anyone know of any documentation for that??

FMS

 

[blackrobe]

But what about the priest having to look at a crucifix during the consecration? This was another thing she insisted was in Canon law- that during the consecration, the celebrant MUST be looking at a crucifix, even if it was a small one placed on the altar (a recent modification since priests traditionally celebrated Mass facing the large crucifix suspended over the altar) Anyone know of any documentation for that??FMS

Sounds unlikely. I couldn’t find it in Canon Law, which is not surprising since CIC doesn’t deal much with liturgy. GIRM would be the likely place to find it and I can’t locate anything like that there either. Verdict: liturgical folklore.

CIC and GIRM are readily available. Anyone insisting on them for authority should be required to cite them. Your friend should not be making such assertions without documentation.

BTW, I often attend the Extraordinary form of the Mass offered by a devout priest of the Institute of Christ the King. As far as I can see, at the consecration his gaze is fixed on the sacred species.

JSA

 

[Feedmysheep]

Verdict: liturgical folklore.

CIC and GIRM are readily available. Anyone insisting on them for authority should be required to cite them. Your friend should not be making such assertions without documentation.

“Liturgical folklore” Love it! Thank you, I should have remembered my “Apologetics 101” lessons: “Show me documentation for said accusation/statement”

FMS

 

[Sure]

Actually, I think during the consecration the priest is supposed to be looking at the Missal and reading the words of consecration.

 

[blackrobe]

Actually, I think during the consecration the priest is supposed to be looking at the Missal and reading the words of consecration.

That is one thing I have never seen.

JSA

 

[Sure]

That is one thing I have never seen.

JSA

Yes, it is a bit uncommon perhaps. But I believe the instruction is for the celebrant to read the words. With the priest bowed over and looking down, can you really tell if his eyes are looking straight down or off to the side a little bit? I can think of quite a few priests who always look at the book while saying the words of consecration.

 

[Like]

Yes, it is a bit uncommon perhaps. But I believe the instruction is for the celebrant to read the words. With the priest bowed over and looking down, can you really tell if his eyes are looking straight down or off to the side a little bit? I can think of quite a few priests who always look at the book while saying the words of consecration.

I do agree with you, Our priests and visiting priest are reading or looking at the book during the consecration. I believe they do this so as not to make a mistake no matter how good their memory might be.

 

[blackrobe]

Yes, it is a bit uncommon perhaps. But I believe the instruction is for the celebrant to read the words. With the priest bowed over and looking down, can you really tell if his eyes are looking straight down or off to the side a little bit? I can think of quite a few priests who always look at the book while saying the words of consecration.

Sad to say, I see many priests celebrating the NO who will hold the host up in front of their faces for the consecration. Some are looking at the host, some at the assembly, and some past the host and over the assembly.

I would estimate that no more than half the sanctuaries I see regularly have a proper crucifix. The risen Christ, often beside the cross, is common. I am happy to say I have never seen such an abomination as Fr. Corapi relates concerning a church he visited in coastal California.

JSA

 

[Sure]

Sad to say, I see many priests celebrating the NO who will hold the host up in front of their faces for the consecration. Some are looking at the host, some at the assembly, and some past the host and over the assembly.

I would estimate that no more than half the sanctuaries I see regularly have a proper crucifix. The risen Christ, often beside the cross, is common. I am happy to say I have never seen such an abomination as Fr. Corapi relates concerning a church he visited in coastal California.

JSA

Thankfully, the standing up posture when consecrating seems to be going away. All the priests I have seen who have been ordained in the last 20 years or so, do it the correct way.