NORTH AISLE
Mother Catherine McAuley Statue
In 1835 Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland. By 1848, some of her sisters made their way to our area. Becoming involved in the educational, health and welfare services, the sisters made important contributions to these Allegheny Mountains.
The Theological and Cardinal Virtues
Located just beyond the statue of Mother McAuley are the Virtues. The first three are the Theological Virtues which form the basis of the Christian life; dealing with our capacities to relate to God and others as one of his dearly loved sons and daughters. (Catechism of the Catholic Church; 1810)
The next four are known as the Cardinal or "Natural" Virtues. Adopted from the Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle, they deal with our relationship to the "natural" world.
Theological Virtues:
Faith
Hope
Charity (Love)
Cardinal Virtues:
Prudence
Temperance
Fortitude
Justice
St. Anne Chapel
St. Anne Side Altar Close-up: St. Anne Carving
Dedicated to St. Anne, the mother of Mary, this relief depicts mother and daughter sitting together.
St. Anne was the wife of Joachim. Their feast is celebrated on July 26.
Mother of Sorrows Chapel
Our Mother of Sorrows Side Altar Close-up: Pieta
Depicting the moment Jesus was lowered from the Cross, this relief captures the great sorrow of the Blessed Mother as she takes he son into her arms on last time.
St. Thomas More Window
Born in London in 1478, St. Thomas More was a lawyer and member of Parliament. Along with his wife, his home became a center of culture in England. He wrote several important works including Utopia. He became an important member of Henry VIII's court, however, his opposition to Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn and support of Papal rights lead to his arrest and imprisonment. He was beheaded on July 6, 1535. Today he is the patron saint of lawyers and his feast is celebrated on June 22.
The window contains scenes from St. Thomas' life:
The quote "The King's good servant but God's first" was made as he mounted the scaffold to be beheaded.
More surrounded by family.
The two men are St. John Fisher and Erasmus, two important contemporaries of More.
Before his beheading.
St. John Window
This window depicts St. John, the Beloved Disciple, resting his head on Jesus' chest during the Last Supper. This window is of particular significance to the Cathedral, as the original parish church was St. John's.
Blessed Mother Altar
The mosaic portrays Mary as Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.
The altar's center piece depicts Mary be crowned Queen of Heaven.