The most
quintessentially Catholic object of devotion is a crucifix -- a
cross (Latin: crux) with the image of Christ's body nailed to
it.
Crucifixes are always found in Catholic churches and chapels
over the altar and are always carried in liturgical processions.
This image is venerated by the faithful in a special ceremony on
Good Friday. They are a customary fixture in every room and
office of Catholic institutions (schools, hospitals), and on the
walls of Catholic homes. This form of representing the Cross of
our Lord adorns Rosaries, prayer-books, private altars,
vestments, and many other devotional articles; also the Pectoral
Cross worn by a bishop as a sign of office. The pope's
ceremonial staff has a crucifix attached to it (unlike an
ordinary bishop's staff, which is formed like a shepherd's
crook.) A crucifix is frequently worn by Catholics on a neck-chain.A
less common form of the crucifix bears an image of Christ
glorified, wearing the vestments of a priest and with his arms
extended in blessing.
One way
to help increase children's reverence and love for Christ and his cross
is to introduce them to traditional Christian symbols. Help them draw
several kinds of crosses in addition to the Crucifix (with Christ's
body, or "corpus") -- such as the Chi Rho, the first two Greek letters
in "Christ" (looks like a capital P with an X through the elongated tail
), the Latin Cross, the Jerusalem Cross, the Greek Cross, the Saint
Andrew Cross (an X shape). You might look for various types of crosses
in churches, on vestments, and in other places.
Introduce children to New Testament symbols of Christ such as the Lamb,
the door, the lamp, etc., Ask them to draw these symbols themselves and
then color them. Display them on the refrigerator or in their rooms
after they have finished.
