Crucifix?

[ELROD]

I became Catholic 15 years ago, began attending my local parish. About 10 years ago they began a remodeling of the church. Somewhat controversial, but, the priest seemed to be pushing it and it was finished after several months. This was a fairly ordinary church, but, we had several icons and a fairly large crucifix in place before all the remodeling. One day as the remodeling was being done I actually witnessed the crucifix being taken down and hung in the back of the church over the front door, more or less. Anyway, when the renovation was complete. No icons, crucifix on back wall by front door, big sheet of glass hanging around up behind the alter. Over the years, we have had different priests say mass for all kinds of different reasons and some of them have pointed out the crucifix was hanging in back of the church, instead of the front. I did make an inquiry, with no response after a couple months. Is this important? When I asked about it, they responded something about vatican 2. Well, I was thinking, do they not see the folly of what people have done to the church? Anyway.

 

[SMHW]

I became Catholic 15 years ago, began attending my local parish. About 10 years ago they began a remodeling of the church. Somewhat controversial, but, the priest seemed to be pushing it and it was finished after several months. This was a fairly ordinary church, but, we had several icons and a fairly large crucifix in place before all the remodeling. One day as the remodeling was being done I actually witnessed the crucifix being taken down and hung in the back of the church over the front door, more or less. Anyway, when the renovation was complete. No icons, crucifix on back wall by front door, big sheet of glass hanging around up behind the alter. Over the years, we have had different priests say mass for all kinds of different reasons and some of them have pointed out the crucifix was hanging in back of the church, instead of the front. I did make an inquiry, with no response after a couple months. Is this important? When I asked about it, they responded something about vatican 2. Well, I was thinking, do they not see the folly of what people have done to the church? Anyway.

Big sheet of glass? Is the glass a window to the outdoors? Is it a window to a Blessed Sacrament reservation chapel? Are the renovations really finished? (Sometimes specially commissioned sacred art can take a couple of years to be finished.)

I’m not a fan of major renovations of the sanctuary but as far as I know the crucifix does not need to be in the sanctuary if it is prominently displayed. (There should be an altar crucifix during Mass but as far as I know it doesn’t need to be visible to the congregation.)

 

[John_Lilburne]

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal has:

"122. When they reach the altar, the Priest and ministers make a profound bow.

The cross adorned with a figure of Christ crucified and, carried in procession, may be placed next to the altar to serve as the altar cross, in which case it must to be the only cross used; otherwise it is put away in a dignified place. …"

So this makes it an option not to have a permanent cross, but to use a processional cross.

The 1968 Instruction Pontificalis ritus had:

“20. Only a single cross is to be carried in a procession, to increase the dignity of the cross and its veneration. If an archbishop is present, the cross will be the archiepisocopal cross, to be carried at the head of the procession, with the image of Christ crucified facing forward.”

(From the book Documents on the Liturgy 1963-1979, Liturgical Press, 1982, page 1394.)

 

[ELROD]

Discretion being the better part of valor, I will only say, yes, the renovations are finished (I pray to God) and thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I will simply say there have been several discussions over the years about the implementation of the GIRM as John cited above. I’ve yet to hear any authority beyond well-trained priests (who disagreed) give a definitive interpretation. There are parishes nearby that, in my opinion, have multiple crucifixes present, while others only have one - and some may argue that the one doesn’t “count” for one reason or another.

 

[pianistclare]

'd ask those people to SHOW ME where it says in any Vat II document that the crucifix can be replaced with a big sheet of glass.
All of the churches here have a large corpus above the altar, and a small one at the back wall.

 

[ELROD]

'd ask those people to SHOW ME where it says in any Vat II document that the crucifix can be replaced with a big sheet of glass.
All of the churches here have a large corpus above the altar, and a small one at the back wall.

Well, I feel they just mentioned vat2, not because they felt that way, but that, well now that I think about it, a parish committee hired some architect or something to design it. I guess I am just getting grumpy.

 

[pianistclare]

Well, I feel they just mentioned vat2, not because they felt that way, but that, well now that I think about it, a parish committee hired some architect or something to design it. I guess I am just getting grumpy.

I don’t think you’ll find many people who are completely contented with their home parishes…there’s always something.
The thing to focus on is our pwn participation int he life of the church, our prayerful attendance at Mass, and our attempts at reaching out to the needy.
Everything else falls away at the end of our lives and we wish we had drilled down to what really matter.
Don’t be too hard on yourself.
We’ve all been a tad cranky at times.
Welcome to the fora, btw.
Peace!

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Do you have the stations of the cross?

In my experience, having a Church, Priests, and transport to a Mass to attend makes those blessed with this gift, pretty special.

Do they need a fund raiser to buy a big crucifix?

 

[InThePew]

The starting point for all things liturgical is the General Instruction on the Roman Missal (there are of course other relevant documents too) and para 308 of the GIRM applies to this situation:

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.

This can (presumably) be the processional cross.

Okay, so much for the theory - now the reality. Church renovations are a fraught business at the best of times with different tastes and viewpoints jockeying for position amongst those involved. All too often, “Vatican II” (meaning whatever the person referring to it wants it to mean) becomes either a whipping boy or rallying point in support of particular liturgical tastes. All the while, the business of the Church goes on as always and the average catholic in the pew wishes they’d just get on with it!

Ultimately, there’s not a lot than can be done when faced with determined desires to push a particular preference. It’s worth remembering though that the mass still remains the same regardless of the surroundings and Christ remains ever present in the eucharist and those gathered to celebrate it.