You've surely noticed that in almost all Catholic churches, the crucified Jesus occupies a prominent place on the altar. At the Health and Peace Sanctuary, for many years, the cross with Christ held this prominent position. But did you know that this arrangement has a meaning?

The center of the liturgical action is Christ and his paschal mystery. The crucifix is the principal element on the altar because the Mass represents the holy sacrifice, the memory of the passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord.

Therefore, the crucified Jesus is placed in the center of the altar to remind the faithful and celebrants that the victim offered in that celebration is the same one who offered himself on the cross to save all of humanity.

Therefore, we must never lose sight of the fact that the Mass is a sacrifice – an aspect that can be lost when the celebration becomes a feast that only takes into account the resurrection of the Lord, forgetting his expiatory sacrifice. We cannot forget that there is no resurrection without the cross.

The crucifix should always be on the altar, except in two cases: when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance and when the crucifixion is the central image of the painting or altarpiece behind the altar.

Looking at the crucifix is an opportunity to walk with your gaze directed towards Jesus.

***with information from Editora Cléofas and aleteia.org