As part of being a Catholic, Holy Cross university, classrooms at UP each contain a crucifix displayed in a prominent place at the front. Crucifixes are distinct from plain crosses in that they have an image of the crucified Jesus (called a corpus) on the cross. Crucifixes are visceral and even sometimes uncomfortable reminders of the brutal death endured by the historical Jesus. Being reminded of that infinite sacrifice in no way diminishes the Catholic, Christian conviction that Christ fully and for all time conquered death. We’re also reminded of the connection to the Congregation of Holy Cross, with its motto Ave Crux, Spes Unica: “Hail the Cross, our only hope.”
As UP students, faculty, and staff travel the world in immersions, studies, and other international experiences, they will now be bringing back crucifixes that reflect the global impact of Catholicism for use in classrooms of the new Dundon-Berchtold building.
For more information, contact Fr. James Gallagher, C.S.C., at gallaghe@up.edu or Karen Eifler, Garaventa Center, at eifler@up.edu.