I’ve heard of this in the past but don’t believe I’ve ever seen it in practice. I personally don’t feel right when I’m in a church and you can’t see the crucifix. We have a modernish church nearby and instead of a crucifix they have a huge, corpus-free cross hanging above the altar. I finally got around to asking about this and was told that they DO have a crucifix in the church and that “it counts” so they don’t need one on the altar. It’s 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall including the large base (versus the 15-20 foot tall cross), and is in a little grotto in a side alcove that you can’t easily see from most areas in the church, so unless you really look for it you’re not going to find it. That just doesn’t seem right to me.
So long as there is a Crucifix present during the Mass, this is most likely allowed.
There are directives for the construction of Church which I don’t have access to at the moment; however, when I do if something stands out I’ll post back.
I do know from the GIRM that having a Visible Crucifix Near the Alter outside of Mass (see below 308) is the preferred norm. I suspect that even a small Alter Cross left on or near the Alter would be sufficient. As for being in the side grotto and not visible… that I don’t know. I would say that if this really bothers you and you have addressed this with the Pastor of the Church, and you are not a normal parishioner, then your only other options are to first talk with your Pastor and after that contact the Chancery.
In the following text All of the underlines and bold are mine.The text is taken from the revised Roman Missle, for consistency sake I have kept the old abbreviation of GIRM:
GIRM: Chapter 4: Different Forms of Celebrating Mass
Section 1: Mass With a Congregation
Subsection: Mass without a Deacon
122. On reaching the altar, the priest and ministers make a profound bow.
The cross adorned with a figure of Christ crucified and perhaps carried in procession
may be placed next to the altar to serve as the altar cross, in which case it ought to be the only cross used; otherwise it is put away in a dignified place. In addition, the candlesticks are placed on the altar or near it. It is a praiseworthy practice that the Book of the Gospels be placed upon the altar.
(note that this section is included in the other forms of celebrating Mass With a Congregation, either by reference or repeated in whole, wherein the Deacon, a Con-Celebrant, or the Bishop is present. Also within section 188 as part of the duties of the Acolyte)
GIRM Chapter 5: The Arrangement and Furnishing of Churches for the Celebration of the Eucharist
Section: 2. ARRANGEMENT OF THE SANCTUARY FOR THE SACRED SYNAXIS
Subsection: The Altar and Its Appointments
308. 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.
Even if not visible from that side grotto, they may be interpreting the nearness of the Crucifix as being sufficient to satisfy this norm.
I am so blessed to have such an older parish.
We just renovated the main body of the church… no more greys and beige from the near iconoclastic move in the 70’s. She’s now full of color, the Roof in above the sanctuary is covered in stars on a dark royal blue sky. We found the old statues of Mary, and John that used to be next to the crucifix in the basement, had these refurbished and had to find a larger crucifix to match the one that used to hang with these. Of course we used to have a high alter at the very back which is long ago removed; thus, we’ve placed the Crucifix Mary and John there… and we have perpetual adoration.
Thank You for reminding me just how blessed my Parish is!
