Words from the Cross: The Speaking Crucifixes and the Passion of the Franciscan Friars

The article investigates the ritual and performative context in which the so-called ‘speaking’ crucifixes (wooden statues of the crucified Christ with a movable tongue) could historically belong. In the first part of the paper, I draw a brief outline of historical-critical studies on the use of animated sculptures in mediaeval ritual practices, focusing on the type under consideration. In the second part, I will formulate a hypothesis about using this specific sculpture in the Good Friday ceremonies celebrated by the Franciscan Order, particularly by the Observants, during the second half of the 14th century in Italy.