Sanctuary Crucifix: Where to get one

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Melonie

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In the parish I’ve recently begun attending, you walk into the sanctuary and looking straight ahead to the altar, there is a statue of the risen Christ front and center, flanked on either side by Mary and Joseph statues. It’s not even a risen Christ crucifix, but only a white statue of him with his hands lifted up to Heaven (possibly affecting a depiction of His transfiguration.) To the left, there is a side chapel with the Tabernacle inside, and directly behind and hanging on the wall above that is beautiful sculptured crucifix. There are kneelers there for prayer and adoration.

The problem is, this side chapel is not that prominent. I had attended 3 times before I even noticed it was there at all.
People at this parish, I have noticed, enter the sanctuary and bow and kneel towards the altar, and I have found myself (since noticing the placement of the tabernacle) in the awkward position of having to turn to the left and kneel towards it. (Isn’t this the right way?)

I haven’t actually asked anyone yet, but I can only guess that the reason they have no crucifix behind the altar could be financial (it is a terribly small and poor parish.) I am thinking of offering to start a fund-raiser of some kind to procure a crucifix. I have looked online using search terms such as “sanctuary crucifix,” “church supplies,” and “religious sculpture” – but I can’t find a maker of such things. Am I calling it the wrong thing? Where do the large and beautiful crucifixes in other Churches come from?

Then again, what if this parish just doesn’t want one? They seem to place the processional crucifix on its pole behind the altar during Mass, using that as the crucifix that must be present as required in the GIRM.

What would you do, or suggest?
Thanks.
 
I’ve also wanted to know of a place to order a Sanctuary Crucifix, but am at a loss as you are-- I look forward to replies on this thread.
 
I think many parishes (wealthier ones at least) will commission an artist to create one specifically for their space.

I don’t know if there is a distributor for pre-fab large crucifixes, and if there is I don’t know if you would really want to use one for the sanctuary. Churches shouldn’t be like Red Lobster where every location has the same faux “New England fishing village” stuff.
 
I own a catholic bookstore & could probably get one for you at a reasonable price—how big would you want it–etc—let me know & i will see what i can do for you—i am in canada but i would use a US supplier & have it shipped directly to you
 
You may try contacting your diocese (after finding out why they don’t have one at your parish, there may be another situation that needs rectified first). If there have been any recent closures of a parish in the area they may have one available. The parish I attended as a child closed about 10 years ago and while some of the furnishings were distributed to the parishoners, the sacred pieces were held by the diocese.
 
You might want to see what kind of a mine field you are walking into before you go too far. It may simply be that the issue is money; none available.

Or it may be something that was donated by some individual; suggesting replacing it risks offending that person, their family, their friends…

Or there may be other history behind it, and you risk offending some or all of the parish. People grow attached to things, and right, wrong or indifferent, they take sides; in these kind of “discussions”, heals get dug in…

Or it may be that the pastor likes it/sees you as an interloper/has a bad day/is a jerk in public relations/etc. At which point, it might not matter what the parish thinks; Father knows best.

If the parish is using a processional cross during Mass, they (take your pick from above) may feel that they are doing all that is necessary…

Finding out where the land mines are is best done with genuine curiosity, no opinion whatsoever expressed, and not too many people questioned (reputations are built fast, and changed at an abysmal pace).

Given the fact that you are relatively new to the parish, I’d go really slowly. I have no bone to pick about your desire for something else. But I was on a committee to change the carpet, and had 6 or more years of active presence in the parish. Talk about opinions, and that was only carpet!
 
Thanks for all your suggestions and help. Actually, I’m not a member of this parish – I’ve just visited a couple of times because it’s nearer than my parish, and I was concerned that they didn’t have the crucifix up front, and why that might be.

Thanks, otm, for showing me the other side of this situation. I did sort of field some of the parishioners (since making this post) and the impression I got was that they like things the way they are and aren’t too interested in change. (I didn’t come right out in a “jerk” fashion to find this out, but rather sort of asked various questions that revealed their feelings on the matter indirectly.)

I was concerned that the absence of the crucifix in the main worship area wasn’t in line with regulations, but obviously it is or they wouldn’t stay open, so I suppose all is well.

Sure makes me appreciate my own parish more. It’s very traditionally decorated, very reverent and ancient feeling. 🙂
 
It sounds like you have it well in hand.

There is an old song about fools rushing in where angels fear to tread. I suspect some of the venting which goes on in this forum about music, art, rubrics, etc. is due to the relative safety of sounding off about what someone doesn’t like, knowing that if someone else goes “nuclear”, it is easier to read than hear.

The GIRM seems to make it clear that the processional cross is all that is necessary. We use that, but have a Risen Savior statue high on the wall in the sanctuary. I like the statue itself, but would much prefer a crucifix; particularly I like the papal crucifix. I’d rather see the statue in our hall, which has @ a 30’ high ceiling.

Will I propose it? About when a really hot place freezes over…
 
TO all:

Do you guys eBay? There’s alot of religious stuff there!! Just type in chasuble and you can buy them for 10.00
 
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otm:
It sounds like you have it well in hand.

There is an old song about fools rushing in where angels fear to tread. I suspect some of the venting which goes on in this forum about music, art, rubrics, etc. is due to the relative safety of sounding off about what someone doesn’t like, knowing that if someone else goes “nuclear”, it is easier to read than hear.

The GIRM seems to make it clear that the processional cross is all that is necessary. We use that, but have a Risen Savior statue high on the wall in the sanctuary. I like the statue itself, but would much prefer a crucifix; particularly I like the papal crucifix. I’d rather see the statue in our hall, which has @ a 30’ high ceiling.

Will I propose it? About when a really hot place freezes over…
Click to expand...
This is from the GIRM:
  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.
If a processional cross is large enough, and has a figure of Christ crucified on it, I suppose that would be acceptable. But if it is just a Cross with no figure of Christ crucified, that would be unacceptable.
 
Oops. Sorry. I meant crucifix (a cross with a body on it) as opposed to a cross, in terms of the processional “cross”.
 
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