October 22, 2023, 12:00 PM

This practice originated with Pope Benedict XVI and continues in papal Masses today. As a result of the Second Vatican Council, the priest no longer faces in the same direction as the people when celebrating the Mass. The Church requires the presence of a crucifix, a cross with the corpus of Jesus on it, to be present in the Sanctuary during Mass. Often there is a crucifix hanging above the Altar or on the wall behind it. When there is not a cross with the corpus of Jesus on it, such as when there is a cross with the Resurrected Jesus on it, the processional cross is placed in a stand in the Sanctuary. In each case the crucifix is visible to the people during the Mass. However, the crucifix is not normally visible to the Priest. Why is this visibility important? The Liturgy of the Eucharist is all about community adoration, the invitation for all of us to turn to the Lord. Everyone needs to be able to see our crucified Lord as we give thanks for all He has done for us. With a crucifix on the Altar the Priest can see the crucified Jesus for his own pious reflection during the Eucharistic Prayer. With a crucifix on the Altar for the Priest and one visible to all attending Mass, we remain oriented to the Lord and remember His sacrifice for us. Now you know!