Continuing our tour of the side altars of our church we come to not an altar but a shrine holding the very large, nearly life-size, crucifix. The body of Jesus is hanging on a very large wooden cross - the difference between a cross and a crucifix is the presence of the depiction of the body of Jesus.
At the top of the crucifix is a sign with the letters IRNI. Occasionally someone asks “what is INRI?” This is a set of Latin initials, an abbreviation for Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum, which in English is Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. In Latin “I” and “J” are the same, which is confusing. In any case, we are told in the Gospel of John (19:19) Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews.” Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.” If the full inscription was written out in three different languages using three different alphabets, it would go on for considerable length. Hence the convention is to abbreviate it with just the Latin initials, IRNI.
Notice the fingers on Jesus’ right hand. The index and middle finger are straight, while the other fingers are closed or bent. This is the traditional hand posture for blessing by popes and other ecclesiastics. Why this particular gesture? Some have postulated that St. Peter, the first Pope, had nerve damage in his arm and so extending all his fingers was not possible or not comfortable. So that is how St. Peter blessed, and all popes since, and many papal wannabes, bishops and others, have adopted this gesture. In any case, we are to infer from the placement of Jesus’ fingers on his right hand that He is blessing us from the cross. Indeed, He blessed us with His entire body and all of His being as He hung upon the cross. Therefore, while the scene depicted, a brutal state execution designed to cause terrible suffering and pain, and inflict maximum humiliation and degradation, is yet at the same time the ultimate sign of total love and complete sacrifice. In His death throes, Jesus forms His hand in a sign of blessing, indicating the profound meaning and the boundless power of His unique sacrifice.
On Jesus’ other hand one of the fingers is broken and missing. I believe that occurred prior to my coming here, and I have not been able to find any information about how this damage occurred.
While all the side altars and the statues of Saints Peter and Paul are obviously from the same workshop, this piece of art seems different. Not only is it not a side altar, but the composition and feel are different from the side altars, which are very stylized. This has caused me to wonder if this large crucifix was not already in the first St. Austin church and then incorporated into the new church? Or perhaps a certain donor wanted such a large crucifix in the body of the church? I just don’t know.
Nonetheless, it is, relatively speaking, among the more popular shrines in our church. It is not uncommon to see people kneeling or sitting at the foot of this crucifix in deep prayer. Its strong emotional power calls for a strong response, certainly more so than the other stylized depictions of saints. It is the most receptive space in our church for someone to pour out their sorrows and troubles, their losses and fears, and to ask for blessing and succor and aid. Therefore, many use this space for their personal prayer. I hope you, if you find yourself in need, can find it a place of solace and strength.
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