Saturday, May 5, 2007

A 16th century Spanish processional crucifix, at the Toledo Museum of Art.
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7 comments:

Alex Fries said...

Call me stupid...but is there such thing as a resessional (spelling!!) cross??

May 5, 2007 at 7:16:00 PM EST
Jeffrey Smith said...

ROFLMAO! Oh, Alex, don't tempt me.
It would be recessional, and I don't really think there is. Since most people don't have minds quite as...er, (Help me out, people! What's the word? Not stupid, that's just about the opposite. ) they just call it processional, though it doubles for both. I have to admit it's an awfully good question, though.

May 5, 2007 at 7:44:00 PM EST
Jeffrey Smith said...

As God is my witness, I never even thought of it!

May 5, 2007 at 7:50:00 PM EST
Rev. Daren J. Zehnle, J.C.L., K.C.H.S. said...

Here's an answer for you:

What we typically refer to as the "procession" is called, in the General Instruction, the "entrance" (47).

A procession is really just a group of people moving from point A to point B. So the instruction can also read, "During the procession to the altar, the Entrance chant takes place (121).

Also, in the instruction, the cross is simply called "the cross," not the "processional cross" as we often call it. (cf. 120a, 122, 123, etc.).

Oddly enough, what we call the "recessional," is not really mentioned in the instruction. The Concluding Rites conclude with, "The kissing of the altar by the priest and the deacon, followed by a profound bow to the altar by the priest, deacon, and the other ministers" (90d).

What we have called the "Procession" and the "Recession" are really both processions. It is a bit of a misnomer.

I hope that helps!

May 6, 2007 at 6:20:00 AM EST
Jeffrey Smith said...

Of course, it helps. You're good at that.

May 6, 2007 at 6:23:00 AM EST
Alex Fries said...

understood. I just thought there might be, in some place, such a thing. Like there are people out there that may have a fit if you called the cross exiting the church the "processional cross"...

May 7, 2007 at 7:05:00 PM EST
Jeffrey Smith said...

Some people will have fits over anything. I, myself, only have fits over something.

May 7, 2007 at 7:18:00 PM EST

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