Name of an object in Brideshead Revisited

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This is a question for those who have seen the movie “Brideshead Revisited”. When Lord Marchmain is ill, toward the end of the work, there is a period during which the nurse is shown going in and out of his room; nearby are people in conference about whether the priest should be sent for (1). As the camera pans back and forth several times, we can see an object on the wall behind them, rather near the door. It appears to be a crucifix set into a wooden box with two shutters, which appear to be designed to make it possible to hide the crucifix. What is the name of that object, i.e. a wooden box that hangs on a wall which makes it possible to hide or display the crucifix?

If you haven’t seen the movie or read the book, either is delicious. Try to get an old printing of the book, as there are a few changes to the 1960s edition. The earlier one is rather better–but either is a delight. The author is Evelyn Waugh, about whom The Latin Mass: A Journal of Catholic Culture printed an article in the Spring '04 issue, stating “…Waugh needs to be invoked today as a patron saint of sorts for orthodox Catholics who can learn from him to ‘be not afraid’ to stand against the vulgarizing tendencies…”
 
I think I know what you mean. Painted altarpieces with doors that closed were popular in the Middle Ages and were called “triptych”. I don’t know if this would be considered a triptych, which I think is generally painted with the main scene on the center panel inside.
 
It was probably a “sick call box”. These were quite common at one time in the church.

Sick call sets, which consistrf of a wooden box that usually hangs on the wall of a bedroom. The sick call set functioned as a one-stop sacramental supply storage unit. When a member of a family became gravely ill, the sick call box became a spiritual necessity used by a priest making a home visit.

In the lower portion of the box is a drawer that contains two candles, a vial of holy water and a ciborium or communion plate. There might be oils for annointing also. .

When the priest was called to minister to the sick and dying person, he would come without equipment because the supplies necessary would be in the sick call set. The candles would be lighted, the person sprinkled with holy water and Holy Communion given to the patient.

Another name for this is **Holy Viaticum Box **
 
Interesting, thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut. It was three-dimensional, so I don’t consider it a triptych. Could a Holy Viaticum Box have a crucifix at the top? Perhaps it would be exposed when a person was sick, and closed when not expected. I’m not sure of the surrounding furniture in the movie set, but there may have been a kneeler under the item on the wall. Perhaps the crucifix, when exposed, can be the object of veneration at the kneeler. Perhaps they can hang the box temporarily on the wall outside of a person’s room. I had the impression that there may have been a storage area under the crucifix; it was fairly small but it certainly could have held some of the objects you mention. Does all that sound plausible? I wonder where to obtain such a box. I haven’t seen them for sale anyplace. Surprisingly, some priests consider them amusing today…
 
Well at least one priest did but Fr. Zuhlsdorf did not find that appropriate that the priest in the post you referenced laughed.

Where to find one, probably on E-bay or in an antique store - I don’t think they make them any more since the EMHC just brings communion to the sick in a pyx.

There would probably be a crucifix on the top or some other religious article - I saw one with the Pieta at the top.
 
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