Sick Call Crucifix Value Guide

The Sick Call Crucifix is a poignant piece of Catholic history, serving as a portable altar for administering Last Rites to the ill or dying. These mid-century American pieces are highly collectible for their unique combination of religious devotion and functional hidden-compartment design.

What Is Sick Call Crucifix Worth?

The typical price range for Sick Call Crucifix is $40 - $60 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Completeness of the internal sacrament kit, including original candles and glass vials.
• Condition of the wood finish and the lack of corrosion on the brass corpus.
• The presence of original manufacturer labels or boxes from mid-century US religious supply companies.
• Functionality of the sliding mechanism or hinges used to access the hidden compartment.

How to Identify Sick Call Crucifix?

• Look for a sliding or hinged wooden front that reveals a hollow interior compartment.
• Verify the presence of original liturgical components such as small candles, a holy water vial, or a linen cloth.
• Check for a metal corpus, typically made of brass, mounted on a solid wood base from the 1940-1960 era.
• Identify the 'Sick Call' style by the two candle holders often integrated into the interior or the cross arms.

History of Sick Call Crucifix

Sick call crucifixes, also known as last rites or visitation crucifixes, became popular among Catholics, particularly from the late 19th through the mid-20th century. These crucifixes served a practical and spiritual purpose: they often contained a hidden compartment designed to hold items necessary for administering the Last Rites, such as holy water, candles, and a small vial for consecrated oil. This allowed priests to easily bring the necessary items when visiting the sick or dying, ensuring that the sacraments could be administered with reverence and readiness, especially in times when such visits were frequent and sometimes unexpected.