MAIN AISLE
Picture of Main Aisle of Cathedral
Baptismal Font
The Cathedral Baptismal Font
The baptism of a child by the bishop.
Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River
Philip baptizes the Ethiopian Eunuch
Capturing the scene of Mary visiting Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56)
The figure to the left is John the Baptist. The Spirit, in the form of a dove, hovers in the upper left corner.
From the Acts of the Apostles (8:26-40)
The Cathedral Baptismal Font
Significance:
The Baptismal Font is placed at
the entrance of the Cathedral as a reminder of its importance for bringing each
of us into the family that is the Church. Through the triple pouring of
water and the words "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit", Baptism frees us from sin and makes us members of the Body of
Christ.
The Cathedral Organ
Picture of the Cathedral Organ Loft
St. Cecelia Window above the Organ
The Cathedral Organ was built by the old German firm of G.F. Steinmeyer and
Company, Ottingen, Bavaria, Germany. The organ has 57 speaking stops with
78 ranks and 4759 pipes, made of wood, zinc and various tin and lead alloys.
The largest pipes, nearly 20 feet long, with a diameter of 10 inches, dwarf the
smallest pipes having a pencil-like shape and an eight inch length. Four
bellows, eight by four feet, each with three folds, furnish a sufficient wind
supply for the organ. Technical details, however, do not give the organ
its special importance. It is the quality of its tonal design and
structure, the clarity, richness and fullness of the ensemble, the beauty and
characters of the single voices, and the cohesiveness of any combination of
stops which make it an inspiring instrument for both organist and listener.
The donor of this organ, Mrs. Annie C. Wolf, whose generosity made this
instrument possible, and the genius of the Steinmeyer firm, have given us a
means of rendering glory to God; and in a mystical sense, we pray that Christ's
hands will ever be on the keyboard and His face suffused with delight as He
makes all of us realize the fulfillment of the 150th Psalm - "Praise the Lord in
His sanctuary."
St. Cecelia Window: The window above the organ
is of St. Cecelia. This is very appropriate as St. Cecelia is the
Patroness of music and musicians. Born to a well off Roman family, Cecelia
was raised Christian. Though married, her husband respected her personal
vow of virginity. She and her brother were known for their acts of
charity, especially buying back the bodies of Christian martyrs. She
herself would be martyred for refusing to sacrifice to the gods. Her
patronage of music comes from the story that at her wedding she did not hear the
nuptial music and the sounds of merriment, but sat apart singing to God in her
heart. Her feast is celebrated on November 22.
Eucharistic Saints: Along the base
of the vault of the nave are located six holy men and women, each of whom has a
special connection to the Blessed Sacrament:
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St. Tarsicius |
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While taking communion to those imprisoned by Emperor Valerian, he was attacked by a group of pagans. he is known as the "Boy Martyr of the Holy Eucharist". |
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St. Thomas Aquinas |
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Best recognized for his philosophical and theological works. He was declared a Doctor of the Church and is the patron of all universities, colleges, and schools. He composed a liturgical office and Mass for the celebration of Corpus Christi. He was canonized in 1323. |
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St. Paschal Baylon |
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Patron of Eucharistic Congresses and Confraternities of the Blessed Sacrament. He is known as the Saint of the Eucharist. He was canonized in 1690. |
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Blessed Juliana of Mount Cornillon |
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Instrumental in introducing the feast of Corpus Christi to the Church calendar. She saw it first established in 1224 in the diocese of Liege. Later it was extended to the Universal Church. |
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St. Clare |
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In 1224, when Saracens came to plunder Assisi and the church of San Domiano, St. Clare directed the Blessed Sacrament be placed in the sight of the enemy. They fled. St. Clare was canonized in 1255. |
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St. Imelda |
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Known as the "Flower of the Eucharist", she is the patroness of fervent first communicants. On the Feast of the Ascension, during her eleventh year, a host hovered over her. She was immediatley given her First Communion at which she sank to the ground dead. |
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Eucharistic Symbols: Along the base
of the Dome and the Sanctuary are also several symbols of the Eucharist.
A staple of life through the centuries, in the Eucharist it becomes the truest gift of life for us. The basic element of the hosts, becomes the Body and Blood of Christ during the celebration of the Eucharist.
Symbolic of joy, wine was used in Jesus' celebration of the Last Supper with his disciples. Today it becomes for us the cup of our salvation.
Wheat ready to be threshed and ground down to be used to create bread.
Used by Jesus when he fed the multitudes, the loaves and fish have been a symbol of the Eucharist from the earliest days of the Church.
The Eucharist is placed in the monstrance that we might offer adoration to our Lord present among us.
The most common symbol of the Eucharist, this mosaic shows the form of the Eucharist we come forward to consume at each celebration of the Eucharist.
Taken from the Psalms, this mosaic represents the deer that thirsts for the running water. As it thirsts for water, so we thirst for the nurishment God provides in the Eucharist.
The pelican serves as a symbol of the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist. Legend held that pelicans would feed their young from their own flesh. This was connected to Jesus' giving of his body in the Eucharist.
A staple of life through the centuries, in the Eucharist it becomes the truest gift of life for us. The basic element of the hosts, becomes the Body and Blood of Christ during the celebration of the Eucharist.
The Cathedral Dome
From the floor to the eye of the Dome is 152 feet.
At its base is written Hoc est enim Corpus Meum. Hic est enim Calix Sanguinis Mei. Mysterium Fidei.
This is My Body. This is the Cup of My Blood. The Mystery of Faith.
The Dome then rests on medallions of the four Evangelists...
Known as the tax collector among the Twelve Apostles, his gospel shows Jesus as the messiah and fulfillment of all God's promises to Israel. Makes numerous comparisons between Jesus and Moses. He is the patron of bankers and bookkeepers and is porteyed in art as a man. His feast is celebrated on September 21.
A companion of Paul and Barnabas, he is the author of the earliest of the gospels. His gospel is believed to have been based oin the teachings of St. Peter. The shortest of the gospels, it is fast-paced, with few wasted words. Its focus is on making known the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Portrayed as a lion, St. mark is the patron of Venice. His feast day is April 25.
Believed to have been a physician, he accompanied St. Paul on his second and third missionary journeys. Tradition holds him as the author of the third gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. His gospel focuses on jesus' journey to Jerusalem, while Acts tells the story of the early growth of the Church. Represented by an ox, he is the patron of painters and doctors. His feast day is October 18.
The youngest of the Apostles, he is also known as the beloved disciple and was one of the closest of the Apostles to Jesus. He is the only one of the Apostles not to be martyred, dying in exile on the island of Patmos. The most theologically sophisticated of the gospels, John has also been called St. John the Divine. he is portrayed by an eagle and his feast day is December 27.
From the floor to the eye of the Dome is 152 feet.
At its base is written Hoc est enim Corpus Meum. Hic est enim Calix Sanguinis Mei. Mysterium Fidei.
This is My Body. This is the Cup of My Blood. The Mystery of Faith.
The Dome then rests on medallions of the four Evangelists...
View from the Cathedral Dome
SOUTH AISLE SANCTUARY
NORTH AISLE
MAIN ENTRANCE
