Chapter — Wouters, Manual of Moral Theology
Chapter III. On the Crucifix of the Way of the Cross
I. Notion. By Crucifixes of the Way of the Cross are understood crosses with an image of the Redeemer, to which the indulgences of the Way of the Cross are attached, as will be explained under III. Now the indulgences are affixed not to the cross, but to the image of Christ, so that this image can be transferred from one cross to another without danger to the indulgences.1 Besides this:
The image of the Crucified must be prominent, so that a cross with an image of the Redeemer depicted or impressed does not suffice. This is deduced from the authentic document of concession which is preserved in the archive of the convent of St. Bonaventure in Rome.2 But crucifixes cast in bronze in such a way that the image of the divine Redeemer is indeed slightly prominent, yet cannot be detached or separated from the cross, do suffice.3
The image must be of brass or of any other non-fragile material.4 Under the name of fragile material here tin and lead also seem to be included, just as will be said of objects to which papal indulgences are attached (n. 536). The cross seems able to be made of any material.
1 Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, May 24, 1883.
2 Cited authentic document; Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, August 8, 1859 (Decreta authentica, n. 387, to II).
3 Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, May 24, 1883.
4 Cited authentic document; Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, August 8, 1859 (Decreta authentica, n. 387, to II).
II. Attachment of indulgences.
- The power of attaching indulgences to Crucifixes of the Way of the Cross belongs:
a) To Cardinals and Bishops, according as was said in n. 524 about the Way of the Cross itself (canon 239, § 1, 6°; canon 349, § 1, 1°).
b) To Superiors of the Order of Friars Minor; of these, the Minister General alone can delegate the faculty either to subjects or to outsiders.1
- For attaching indulgences, the sign of the cross made with the intention of applying the indulgences suffices.2 Several crucifixes can also be blessed in a group by a single sign of the cross;3 likewise crucifixes to which other indulgences have already been attached4 (n. 546).
1 Rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, cited, March 15, 1884.
2 Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, April 11, 1840 (Decreta authentica, n. 281, to V); January 7, 1843 (Decreta authentica, n. 313, to II and IV).
3 Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, March 11, 1855 (Decreta authentica, n. 363).
4 Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, January 29, 1820 (Decreta authentica, n. 249, to III).
III. Attached indulgences and their acquisition.
To the Crucifix of the Way of the Cross are attached the same indulgences as to the Way of the Cross, that is, both the plenary indulgence attached to the Way of the Cross itself, and the plenary indulgence attached to the Way of the Cross by reason of Communion (n. 531).1
For acquiring the indulgences set forth, these things are required:
a) Of itself, there is required:
a) That someone be impeded by illness or another cause from visiting the stations of the Way of the Cross.2 A moderately grave cause seems to suffice.
b) That the Crucifix be held in the hand during the recitation of the prayers, of which immediately.3 If the prayers are recited in common, it suffices that one person hold the Crucifix in the hand, and that the others, other concerns having been set aside, compose themselves for reciting the prescribed prayers together with the person who holds the Crucifix.4 It is said "other concerns having been set aside," that is, at least those external occupations which impede internal attention.5
c) That meanwhile twenty Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glory Bes be recited, with heart at least contrite and devoutly: namely, one for each station, five in memory of the holy Wounds of Christ, and one according to the mind of the Supreme Pontiff.6
d) That in the use of the crucifix there be meditation on the Lord's Passion, or at least a pious recollection of the same.7
Note. If someone, once the recitation has been begun, has been unable for a reasonable cause to recite all the prescribed Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glory Bes, instead of the plenary indulgence he obtains a partial indulgence of ten years and as many quarantines for each Our Father with Hail Mary and Glory Be recited.8
b) Incidentally, so to speak, these things hold:
a) If some sick person, without grave inconvenience or difficulty, cannot recite twenty Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glory Be prayers, he can gain the indulgences either by kissing, or even only by looking, with affection and a contrite mind, upon some Crucifix blessed for this purpose, shown to him either by a priest or by some other person, and by reciting some brief prayer or ejaculatory prayer in memory of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ our Lord.9
b) If someone, by force of illness, is able only to kiss or only to look at the Crucifix blessed for this purpose, but not to add an ejaculatory prayer, he is not prevented from obtaining the plenary indulgences.10
1 Sacred Penitentiary, October 20, 1931 (A.A.S. 1931, p. 522).
2 Cited authentic document.
3 Cited authentic document.
4 Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, January 19, 1884. The document is held in the archive of the General Curia of the Order of Friars Minor (Sleutjes, p. 67).
5 Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, November 13, 1893.
6 Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, August 8, 1859 (Decreta authentica, n. 387, to I).
7 Sacred Penitentiary, December 14, 1917, to IV (A.A.S. 1917, p. 30).
8 Sacred Penitentiary, October 20, 1931 (A.A.S. 1931, p. 522).
9 Sacred Penitentiary, March 25, 1931 (A.A.S. 1931, p. 167).
10 Sacred Penitentiary, October 20, 1931 (A.A.S. 1931, p. 522).