NEW CRUCIFIX IN
EUCHARISTIC CHAPEL,
ST. BENEDICT’S,
MONTEBELLO, CALIFORNIA,
SEPTEMBER 14, 2008

When St. Benedict’s jewel-like Eucharistic Chapel was blessed and opened in 2007 on the Feast of Christ the King, it lacked several liturgical pieces that were envisioned in its original plan. To mark, in a small way, the parish’s celebration of the golden jubilee of its present church, Father Joseph Gallardo, pastor, has acquired and hung a museum-quality ivory crucifix above the adoration tabernacle.

The art piece, obtained in Spain, consists of a mahogany cross, some 36 inches long, with an exquisitely carved ivory corpus and inscription. In a simple, private ceremony on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 2008, Father Joseph blessed and mounted the crucifix. All who have seen it are struck by the beauty and artistry of the piece and believe that it completes in the most appropriate way the furnishings of the chapel, which is frequented daily from 8:30 am to 9:00pm.

Fr. James McGuire, OAR