Cross
CROSS
BASIC R.C. BELIEF The Cross is one of the most important Roman Catholic emblems, symbolizing the central mystery of Catholic belief. One must distinguish between a Cross and a Crucifix.
The legend of finding the True Cross, while varying in details, was accepted in essence by Sts. Ambrose, Chrystotum and Cyril. It states that Constantine’s mother, the Empress Helena, visited Jerusalem at the age of 79 (326 A.D.) She had excavations made at Calvary where three crosses were found. Not knowing which was Jesus’ Cross, they were applied in turn to a sick woman. The one which effected her cure was to be the True Cross.
On Good Friday, there is a ceremony known as Adoration of the Cross. The priest proclaims, “Look upon the wood of the Cross” and the people respond, “Come, let us adore.” The clergy and faithful then kiss the Cross.
CHRISTIAN COMMENT Claude, the godly bishop of Turin, Italy, in the 8th century, said: “If we are to worship a cross because Jesus died on one, we should worship a manger because he lay in one or a donkey because he rode on one.”
CRUCIFIX
BASIC R.C. BELIEF A Cross with a figure of Jesus fastened on it, one of the most used sacramentals in the Church. It is required that a Crucifix be over an altar where Mass is said. The priest often bows his head toward it during Mass.
POST VATICAN II Revised liturgical law says that a Cross should be near the altar. This could mean a plain Cross, but a Crucifix is used in most Roman Catholic churches.