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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
New Crucifix over the Altar	John	Thursday, September 15, 2011
Question: Mr. Jacob Slavek, This past Sunday my wife and I attended Sunday Mass in Florida. The Pastor had just recently purchased a new Crucifix which he has placed above the Altar. My question is this, It is my understanding that a Mass can not be offered without a proper Crucifix being present, this Crucifix, to me, does not appear to be a proper Crucifix. I was unable to send a photo of the Crucifix do to technical difficulty. Since the Crucifix appears to be both, the Crucified Christ with the right hand nailed to the Cross, and the Risen Christ with the left hand reaching up toward heaven, I am somewhat confused. Thank you Mr. Slavek for you continued ministry. John.
Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek Dear John, Yes I've seen these "crosses" before. Here's what the Church says on the matter: 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. (from the current GIRM) A figure that is only "half crucified" in my opinion does NOT satisfy the requirement to be CRUCIFIED, because Jesus was crucified with both arms nailed to the cross. Although it may be considered an inspiring work of art that tells a miraculous story, it is not appropriate to serve as the crucifix in our Liturgy. 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.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

New Crucifix over the Altar

John

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Question:

Mr. Jacob Slavek,

This past Sunday my wife and I attended Sunday Mass in Florida. The Pastor had just recently purchased a new Crucifix which he has placed above the Altar.

My question is this,

It is my understanding that a Mass can not be offered without a proper Crucifix being present, this Crucifix, to me, does not appear to be a proper Crucifix.

I was unable to send a photo of the Crucifix do to technical difficulty.

Since the Crucifix appears to be both, the Crucified Christ with the right hand nailed to the Cross, and the Risen Christ with the left hand reaching up toward heaven, I am somewhat confused.

Thank you Mr. Slavek for you continued ministry.

John.

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear John,

Yes I've seen these "crosses" before. Here's what the Church says on the matter:

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. (from the current GIRM)

A figure that is only "half crucified" in my opinion does NOT satisfy the requirement to be CRUCIFIED, because Jesus was crucified with both arms nailed to the cross. Although it may be considered an inspiring work of art that tells a miraculous story, it is not appropriate to serve as the crucifix in our Liturgy.

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.