Church: A Place Where Mystery Happens - #8

Sometimes our slippers are so comfortable and we are so used to them that we forget what they looked like when they were brand new - before we broke 'em in. We slip our feet into 'em and give them nary a thought there after. The same can be true of the sacred objects that we use or that engage our attention in the liturgy. This week I want to comment on a few times that could slip past our attention.

In actuality, there are a lot of objects that Christians use in ceremony. The procession can include an incense bearer with incense arising to the heavens, a cross and cross bearer, candles and candle bearers, a lectionary or the Gospel book carried in procession by the reader or the deacon, and others. All proceed with dignity (since this is stylized walking, a bodying forth in a posture of reverent movement) until they arrive at the place where they need to be to serve the community's worship.

Incense carrying and incense bearing - with sweet smelling incense wafting its way upward, curlicuing its holy smoke, arising to the heavens - is an art. The vessel can be an incense pot, bowl, or the classical thurible (sometimes with many chains and bells). The art of carrying the burning incense with aplomb is a wondrous sight.

Candles are carried in procession. When carried well their light captures our attention as they move through the assembly and then are placed near the altar.

The processional cross is an important object. It is carried aloft so that all may look upon it and be saved. The history of processional crosses is long. Here are some examples.

The processional cross can have an image of the crucified Christ affixed to it. Or it can be simply a cross of lovely and exquisitely carved wood. (Remember the simple refrain we sing on Good Friday. "Behold the wood of the cross on which is hung our salvation. Come, let us adore). The cross can be wood, metal, glass, plastic or gold. I have seen processional crosses decorated with jewels. I have seen processional crosses with chimes or bells placed along the horizontal beam. In this instance people see and hear the cross moving in their midst. One parish I know in Baltimore has a processional cross with a relic of the holy cross inserted into the place where the two beams meet. The cross is dark mahogany. An artist carved branches and floral designs into the wood. It is distinctive; it imprints itself on the assembly's imagination. A parish in Chicago commissioned a cross with an outer wood frame and an inner section made with glass prisms. Sunlight shines through the glass when the cross is carried in procession. A friend told me that the glass prisms conjure up the birthing canal. Interesting, isn't it - the cross birthing our faith! The processional cross at Saint Malachy was commissioned. Its design is simple and elegant. Chances are the processional cross will vary from parish to parish. If the processional cross were purchased out of a church-goods catalogue (one size fits all churches!), it will probably lack artistic excellence. It may fail to inspire. Good processions, need well-crafted processional crosses that engage our eyes, ears, hearts, and faith.