Crucifixes

[Mary+Immaculate<3]

I have a John Paul II crucifix I got on my First Communion that is very special to me. I also wore it to my Confirmation and it was touched to a relic of the 12 Apostles and JPII. Once I was wearing it and a younger girl from a very lovely, conservative Christian (Protestant) family asked mee why I was wearing it. She said it was "sad" and that it would be better if I wore a plain cross because it was about the Ressurrection and triumph over death. I told her it reminded me of what Jesus did for me. Any other thouhgts, ideas, meditatons?

 

[cappie]

Archbishop Fulton Sheen summarized the reason for using a crucifix instead of an empty cross when he said, “Keep your eyes on the crucifix, for Jesus without the cross is a man without a mission, and the cross without Jesus is a burden without a reliever.”

Catholics use crucifixes to avoid what St. Paul warned about, that the cross be “emptied of its power” (1 Cor 1:17).

 

Christ’s supreme act was to die on the cross as atonement for our sins. His resurrection was proof that what he did on the cross worked -- he conquered death -- and it demonstrated beyond any doubt that he was who he claimed to be: God. The crucifixion was the act that changed history. The resurrection demonstrated of the efficacy of that act.

 

By his death on the cross, Christ conquered sin and death, redeemed the world, opened the way of salvation for all who would receive it, and reconciled his people with the Father (cf. Eph 2:13-18; Col 1:19-20). That is why the crucifix is such a potent reminder for us of what he did on our behalf that dark afternoon on Calvary

 

St. Paul emphasized the crucifixion saying, “When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor 2:1-2).

[Ima Lurker]

I've always wanted to order one from the Carmelites in S.D. They're hand painted (with many wounds) but expensive as Carmelites are not mendicants (beggers) but required to try to be self sufficient. But the crucifixes are hauntingly beautiful because they tell the tale of love.

 

And it's beautiful to remember the love He has for us, isn't it? I told one of my curious non catholic friends it's a way to remember how much He loves us, and we need to know that, especially today, in our culture of death.

 

Though I'm not a theologian, and my thoughts are free because, well, you get what what you pay for.

 

*blush*

[Maggyie]

Tell her that in the words of Paul, "we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

[Little Flower]

"Oh foolish Galations, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified" Paul to the Galations. Memorized verse I'm too lazy to look up citation for. Anyhow, as I heard on Catholic Answers, "Sounds like they're looking at a CRUCIFIX!" Anyhow, what else would publicly portrayed as crucified mean? At any rate its clearly biblical to portray Christ crucified

[Chiquitunga]

I've always wanted to order one from the Carmelites in S.D. They're hand painted (with many wounds) but expensive as Carmelites are not mendicants (beggers) but required to try to be self sufficient. But the crucifixes are hauntingly beautiful because they tell the tale of love.

 

And it's beautiful to remember the love He has for us, isn't it? I told one of my curious non catholic friends it's a way to remember how much He loves us, and we need to know that, especially today, in our culture of death.

 

Though I'm not a theologian, and my thoughts are free because, well, you get what what you pay for.

 

*blush*

 

Both the Carmelites of the Anciant Observance (Calced, O.Carm.) and the Discalced Carmelites (O.C.D.) are mendicants - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10183c.htm   The Carmel in SD is Discalced, http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/166  While they do not traditionally have huge farms like Benedictines, who are not mendicants, Carmelites do often create religious articles (like dresses for Infant of Prague statues, Rosaries, Scapulars, Communion Hosts, etc.) and/or other items to support themselves financially. 

 

Taken directly from St. Teresa's Constitutions:

 

"In convents that are located in rich and prosperous places, where they can be supported, the Nuns are to live on alms without any income; and in the places where they cannot be sustained by alms alone, they may have an income in common. In everything else, there should be no difference between the monasteries that have an income and those founded in poverty.

 

I they can do without them, they should never ask for alms; great should be the need which would make them beg; but rather they should help themselves by the work of their own hands, as St. Paul did, for the Lord will provide what is necessary. As long as they do not desire more and are content to be without comforts, they  will never lack what is essential to sustain them. If they endeavor with all their strength to please God, His Majesty will provide for them in such a way that they will have sufficient for their support."

 

 

Those crucifixes the SD Carmel creates, by the way, are very beautiful indeed!! This was a tradition they brought with them from Mexico to Grand Rapids (which was founded during the religious persecutions in 1916 - they in turn founded Buffalo Carmel in 1920 which founded Alexandria, SD Carmel in 1997. Then they founded Brooklyn in 2004. All of these three Carmels (I am not sure about Grand Rapids anymore) create these handmade crucifixes (both large and small ones) I have heard Buffalo has stopped taking orders because they have so many to fulfill already.

 

I have also heard this of Des Plaines Carmel, by the way, which creates Rosaries made out of real rose petals. One of the Carmels in Avila (the Incarnation) also creates rose petal Rosaries, by the way, as well as La Aldehuela Carmel, just outside Madrid. 

 

 

 

 

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/112954809546652959393/CarmelOfTheLittleFlowerOfJesusBuffaloNY

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/112954809546652959393/CarmelOfOurMotherOfMercyStJosephAlexandriaSD

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/112954809546652959393/CarmelOfOurLadyOfMtCarmelStJosephBrooklynNY

[MissyP89]

Anybody know if those crucifixes are available to purchase online?

[Chiquitunga]

the specific ones made in those Carmelite monasteries? no, you cannot order them online. you have to contact the nuns directly via mail or phone.

 

http://www.carmelitenunsstjoseph.org/Buffalo.htm

 

http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/166

 

http://local.yahoo.com/info-29206809-carmelite-monastery-brooklyn

 

I would first try Brooklyn, then South Dakota, or whichever one is closer to you

[ContemporaryCaflicCrusader]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DqE6BdyYdQ  

 

A Cross without Jesus on it is like a donut without the chocolate creme injected into it.  Satan wouldn't be happy satisfied if God hadn't died for our sins cause of the fall, and satan desperately tried to get Jesus to sin on his way to death to nullify the sacrifice.  The crucifix is like saying to satan... oooooh burn...  literally.  

[Kateri89]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DqE6BdyYdQ  

 

A Cross without Jesus on it is like a donut without the chocolate creme injected into it.  Satan wouldn't be happy satisfied if God hadn't died for our sins cause of the fall, and satan desperately tried to get Jesus to sin on his way to death to nullify the sacrifice.  The crucifix is like saying to satan... oooooh burn...  literally.  

 

:lol3:  Hahahaha sorry but I'm not a fan of creme-filled donuts...but I get your point lol.

 

One of my favorite quotes on this subject is from St. Josemaria Escriva:

 

“You ask me, ‘Why that wooden cross?’ And I quote from a letter: ‘As I raise my eyes from the microscope, my sight comes to rest on the cross — black and empty. That cross without a corpus is a symbol; it has a meaning others won’t see. And I, tired out and on the point of abandoning my work, once again bring my eyes close to the lens and continue. For that lonely cross is calling for a pair of shoulders to bear it.’”

[TheresaThoma]

Personally I have a crucifix and a plain cross that I alternate wearing. Many times I try to cordinate it with the Liturgical calendar (for instance wearing only the crucifix during Lent then during Easter I wear the cross).

The way I was told about the Catholic "preference" for the crucifix is that it emphasizes the sacrifice. However the empty cross can have great meaning too. I'm not sure where I read this about the cross the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma MI, but they said they wear a cross instead of a crucifix because the empty cross invited them to fill it with themselves (or something like that I can't remember the exact wording).

[Ima Lurker]

Both the Carmelites of the Anciant Observance (Calced, O.Carm.) and the Discalced Carmelites (O.C.D.) are mendicants - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10183c.htm   The Carmel in SD is Discalced, http://db.religiouslife.com/reg_life/irl.nsf/org/166  While they do not traditionally have huge farms like Benedictines, who are not mendicants, Carmelites do often create religious articles (like dresses for Infant of Prague statues, Rosaries, Scapulars, Communion Hosts, etc.) and/or other items to support themselves financially. 

 

Taken directly from St. Teresa's Constitutions:

 

 

Those crucifixes the SD Carmel creates, by the way, are very beautiful indeed!! This was a tradition they brought with them from Mexico to Grand Rapids (which was founded during the religious persecutions in 1916 - they in turn founded Buffalo Carmel in 1920 which founded Alexandria, SD Carmel in 1997. Then they founded Brooklyn in 2004. All of these three Carmels (I am not sure about Grand Rapids anymore) create these handmade crucifixes (both large and small ones) I have heard Buffalo has stopped taking orders because they have so many to fulfill already.

 

I have also heard this of Des Plaines Carmel, by the way, which creates Rosaries made out of real rose petals. One of the Carmels in Avila (the Incarnation) also creates rose petal Rosaries, by the way, as well as La Aldehuela Carmel, just outside Madrid. 

 

 

 

 

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/112954809546652959393/CarmelOfTheLittleFlowerOfJesusBuffaloNY

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/112954809546652959393/CarmelOfOurMotherOfMercyStJosephAlexandriaSD

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/112954809546652959393/CarmelOfOurLadyOfMtCarmelStJosephBrooklynNY

 

Wow! I just drove by the Convent on a road trip and saw the Crucifix in the gift shop.

 

I stand corrected on the mendicant remark. Thank you.

 

Peace.

 

[Ima Lurker]

Personally I have a crucifix and a plain cross that I alternate wearing. Many times I try to cordinate it with the Liturgical calendar (for instance wearing only the crucifix during Lent then during Easter I wear the cross).

The way I was told about the Catholic "preference" for the crucifix is that it emphasizes the sacrifice. However the empty cross can have great meaning too. I'm not sure where I read this about the cross the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma MI, but they said they wear a cross instead of a crucifix because the empty cross invited them to fill it with themselves (or something like that I can't remember the exact wording).

 

That's very beautiful!

 

I wear an onyx cross that was given to me many years ago by an old dying woman (I was one of her caregivers). She gave it to me so I wouldn't forget to pray for her.

 

And also in remembering her passing, I am reminded that my own day is coming and to work to prepare myself for it.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

Both the crucifix and a plain cross are both christian symbols, and both catholic. I love them both.

Edited July 27, 2013 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

That post was for you CaflicCrusader. Sorry forgot to put your name on it or quote.