Cross or Crucifix?

[Decanus]

Just a quick question i'd like your opinions on

Do you prefer to wear a cross, or crucifix? Do you feel there is something more sacred about one or the other or do you feel that they are both equal?

 

[Chrystal-J]

I've worn both and consider them to be equal. I usually wear a Monstrance though.

 

[judechild]

I won't say that one is more sacred than the other, but the crucifix is a bit more meaningful with our theology. St. Paul says "we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles" (1 Cor. 1:23), and we hang the crucifix promenently in our Churches as a sign of the sacrifice of Christ extended in time; the crucifix represents that the sacrifice of Calvary and the sacrifice of the Mass are the same, offered once for all. Wearing the crucifix, then, is a natural extention of our Catholic theology and heritage.

 

[Brooklyn Knight]

You get quite a few of these type of threads on these side of the forums.

There is nothing wrong with either or, but I do think that the Catholic Church has a higher preference for the crucifix as we don't shy away from the suffering Christ suffered for us (Stations of the Cross, anyone?), and certain statues/relics allow the congregation to rub or kiss the feet of Christ.

That's not to play down the cross; a great majority will automatically equate it to a device that Christ suffered upon.

 

[Catherineanne]

Imo either is fine. I always preferred the crucifix until I read something by St Paul of the Cross; he said the empty cross is the one we carry ourselves, and that we are crucified on.

After I read that I liked them both equally.

 

[Brooklyn Knight]

Imo either is fine. I always preferred the crucifix until I read something by St Paul of the Cross; he said the empty cross is the one we carry ourselves, and that we are crucified on.

Yep. We all have a cross to bear.