PLEASE help me influence my priest on crucifix

[Elzee]

Our parish is building a new church and I learned that the ‘placement’ of the crucificx in the sanctuary will be decided next week. I guess I had always assumed it would be right behind the altar, as the focal point of the Mass. I was told that it’s only required to be in the sanctuary. I know this, but even in my parish, it just blows my mind that anyone would consider it not being suspended right behind the altar!

I would like to send my priest a letter stating good reasons why the crucifix should be in a prominent place - and I think that is behind the altar. for you guys who agree with me, can you help me with reasons why? (or maybe there are good reasons why it shouldn’t be there?? I’m open to hearing that too). The only one I can think of it gives us the focal point we should have - the Mass is the re-presentation of the sacrifice of Jesus, and to have it any other place would not help convey the true meaning of the Mass. But, that doesn’t sound like very strong reasoning, especially for some of the liberal-minded members on our liturgical committee. For those of you who feel the same as I, do you have better words? I may actually be able to make this small difference in my parish and I don’t want to blow it. Keep us in your prayers. Thank you so much!

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Elzee:

liturgical committee.

If these words appear in any post, I assume there’s a problem! I guess I wonder what “in the Sanctuary” is going to mean to your priest. What does the space look like? Is “hanging behind the altar” better than “hanging above the altar?” Ours is behind the altar and behind the presider’s chair, which is huge itself and covers half the crucifix. I think our crucifix would be more effective hanging from the ceiling over the altar, but I’m not apt to be heeded. I think the best thing to do is say, “Look, Father, I know you must do as you think best, but I think, etc, etc, etc, and here’s why I think it, etc., etc., etc. Thanks for hearing me out.”

 

[Elzee]

I’m not sure what ‘sanctuary’ means means to our priest or ‘liturgical committee’ now that you mention it. And I haven’t even approached the question of where the tabernacle is going to go. Our new church will have a chapel - my fear is it will be placed there and not even in the main body of the church. (can there be 2 tabernacles?? one in the church and one in the tabernacle) I never would have even thought of these questions if it weren’t for this forum. I love my parish, but I’m learning more and more that it is being influenced strongly by, well, I don’t know what the word is - liberal Catholicism?

I like your start - ‘I know you need to do what you think is best…’ but my problem is what to put after that? Can you think of any reasons other than the one I listed? I just don’t think what I have is very persuasive.

 

[buffalo]

Try to have him think symmetry and focal.

 

[ames61]

One question would be why do they want to move it? What is their reason to go against the norm of placing it behind the altar? Do they have something better? Do they find a crucifix distracting or unnerving? Once you know their reason, you can better address the question.

From the GIRM
259. At the altar the sacrifice of the cross is made present under
sacramental signs.
which would definitely support the idea of the crucifix being in direct line of vision with the altar (ie immediately behind or above).

*270. There is also to be a cross, clearly visible to the
congregation, either on the altar or near it. *
which would mean that it HAS to be at least close to the altar.

From The Spirit of The Liturgy by Cardinal Joseph Ratziner:
Where a direct common turning toward the east is not possible, the cross can serve as the interior “east” of faith. It should stand in the middle of the altar and be the common point of focus for both priest and praying community. In this way we obey the ancient call to prayer “Conversi ad Dominum”, turn toward the Lord! In this way we look together at the One whose death tore the veil of the Temple-the One who stands before the Father for us and encloses us in his arms in order to make us the new and living Temple. Moving the altar cross to the side to give an uninterrupted view of the priest is something I regard as one of the truly absurd phenomena of recend decades. Is the cross disruptive during Mass? Is the priest more important that the Lord? This mistake should be corrected as quickly as possible; it can be done without furhter rebuilding. The Lord is the point of reference, He is the rising sun of history. That is why there could be a cross of the Passion, which represents the suffering Lord who for us let his side be piereced, from which flowed blood and water (Eucharist and Baptism), as well as a cross of triumph, which expresses the idea of the Second Coming and guides our eyes toward it. For it is always the one Lord; Christ yesterday, today and forever."

Sounds pretty clear to me, though it is not an authoritative document. Hang in there.

 

[FrRobSST]

The ancient tradition is to use the processional cross as the Altar Cross, placing it behind the Altar in full view. This may not always be possible.

However, it is an option in many good rubrical manuals to have the altar cross / processional cross just to the side of the Altar. This has been done this week in the Novendiales Masses, it is always done at the BNSIC in DC, and even at Papal Masses, the Altar cross is between the two candles on the left of the Altar as viewed from the entrance/nave.

However, as a symmetry nut, I would use that particular argument… for the sake of Symmetry, place it in the center. If the buiding is already messed up with regards to symmetry… well… you’re toasted.

Rob+

 

[Panis_Angelicas]

You might want to familiarize yourself with the USCCB’s document “Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture and Worship” .

This document doesn’t carry the force of law, but is meant as a guideline. You might find some helpful suggestions or reasoning in there to support your recommendation for placement of the crucifix.

Chapter Two does describe the “sanctuary” area. And here is another quote from the document, regarding the Crucifix:

The Cross
§ 91 § The cross with the image of Christ crucified is a reminder of Christ’s paschal mystery. It draws us into the mystery of suffering and makes tangible our belief that our suffering when united with the passion and death of Christ leads to redemption.113 There should be a crucifix "positioned either on the altar or near it, and . . . clearly visible to the people gathered there."114 Since a crucifix placed on the altar and large enough to be seen by the congregation might well obstruct the view of the action taking place on the altar, other alternatives may be more appropriate. The crucifix may be suspended over the altar or affixed to the sanctuary wall. A processional cross of sufficient size, placed in a stand visible to the people following the entrance procession is another option. If the processional cross is to be used for this purpose, the size and weight of the cross should not preclude its being carried in procession. If there is already a cross in the sanctuary, the processional cross is placed out of view of the congregation following the procession.115

(Also, imho, if your parish liturgy committee does consist of those with a more liberal leaning, they should be delighted that they’re following this document. Somehow, they seem to like to express their American loyalty as something “stronger” than loyalty to Rome…or, that could just be my general impression…) Anyway, that document may be helpful!

Good luck & God Bless. <><