A Crucifix Carved With Love

By Fr. Anthony Brankin

I am sure you have noticed the beautiful Shrine to Our Lord by the side altar. It is, of course, temporary, but that crucifix of Jesus is considered a miraculous image of Christ since countless prayers have been answered—and countless bodies healed and countless souls saved by prayers to the crucified Christ as portrayed here so beautifully and innocently.

This cross is so different from the silly, slick, plastic crosses we have to buy today, the one mass-produced in China—whose bodies of Jesus are so odd and twisty—so pink and pouty—so like He is dancing through the lilies at His feet! (What must those poor pagan Chinese factory workers who make these crosses for Americans think of our religion that we worship a God who looks so infantile and weak. Wow!) Well this cross was carved by hand by a village artist, perhaps 200 or 300 years ago. No, the artist never went to art school, but he surely believed deeply—very deeply. Just look at the love and compassion in Jesus’ half closed eyes, His mouth barely open. The one who fashioned this Jesus obviously loved His Lord very much. You can be sure that each stroke or chip, or cut of art was accompanied by a prayer. And the loin cloth—like Italian and Spanish statues (Latin) where the statue has real clothing is a little bigger than we usually see because the artist was trying to protect Jesus’ modesty even more.

This crucifix will soon be going home to Cotiro, Michoacan, Mexico, but I am sure the Image of Our Lord crucified will remain with us for a long time.