Q: For the Novus Ordo Mass celebrated pro populo, is a crucifix required on the altar? If there is a crucifix on the altar, which way should the corpus face: toward the priest or toward the people? It’s not translated into English, but the CDW, in 1966, brought up the question in Notitiae. It concludes that “The cross, therefore, ought to be turned toward the interior of the altar.” I assume this means facing the priest. Does this still apply? Is there anything more current on this?
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A: No crucifix is required on the altar. If there is one, GIRM 117 and 122 imply that it is the only cross used and says nothing about the direction it faces.
A lot of priests put an extra cross on the altar. I cannot justify the practice from the GIRM.
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