| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cross in the Sanctuary (reply) | Ruthven | Wednesday, August 13, 2008 |
Question: Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek Dear Ruthven, In the edition of the GIRM used immediately prior to our current GIRM, there was an appendix for use in the United States. N.270 of the appendix stated that only one cross was to be used in the procession. Is this possibly what you have read? I just went through our current GIRM (from 2000) and didn't notice any instruction that there is to be only one cross present in the sanctuary. In fact n. 350 makes a reference to BOTH the altar cross and the cross used in procession, stating that since they are directly associated with the altar that they are to be taken with respect. A related instruction is found in n.318 that states that there is to be only one image of any given saint. There is no mention of the cross or crucifix in this instruction. Mr. Slavek Mr. Slavek, Peace for the heart! Thank you for the reply but please note the following in reference to the first sentence of your second paragraph: 122. 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. |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Ruthven, Yes, you are correct, I'm sorry I missed that. Back to your original question, no I cannot explain why some parishes use two crucifixes. The GIRM n. 122 CLEARLY says that the processional cross is to be put away. About the large wall crucifix: I think that most would interpret that to be the altar crucifix. In all parishes that I have seen a large crucifix it has been the only one present in the sanctuary. Thanks for writing and for the clarification, Mr. Slavek Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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