Archbishop Gomez visited the St. Bede the Venerable parish in La Cañada on Nov. 24, the Solemnity of Christ the King, to celebrate Mass and bless the church’s new sanctuary crucifix.

St. Bede’s new crucifix is an exact replica of crucifix behind the main altar in the Sistine Chapel, mirroring it in size and every detail. The Vatican granted renowned artist Otello Scatolini permission to replicate the original for the St. Bede parish community at the request of the pastor Msgr. Antonio Cacciapuoti.

“I am grateful for this historic day for our parish community,” the archbishop remarked at the conclusion of the blessing.

The crucifix remains one of only three having Vatican approval: the original in the Sistine Chapel, a second one for internal papal use, and the new one at St. Bede the Venerable.

The sanctuary crucifix is a gift to the parish community. Msgr. Cacciapuoti acknowledged the donor family at the conclusion of Mass.