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| The Baptismal Font |
| Along the central aisle (or Journey)
in the middle of our worship space, we find the Baptismal
Font. |
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After the Second Vatican Council, the Baptismal
Font was relocated from the Baptistry. The
United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in its document
Built
of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship states:
"Because the rites of initiation of the
Church begin with baptism and are completed by the reception
of the Eucharist, the baptismal font and its location
reflect the Christian's journey through the waters of
baptism to the altar." (§
66 §)
So why is it covered? This is because
the Sacrament of Baptism does not take place during Lent, as a
symbol of the time of purification that Jesus spent in the
desert. (This is also why the Holy Water fonts and the fountain
in the Narthex are dry.) |
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Paschal Candle |
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Adjacent to the Font is the Paschal
candle. The ceremonial lighting
the Paschal candle is one of the most solemn moments of the
Easter Vigil on the Saturday evening before Easter. On Holy
Thursday of the same week the entire church is darkened when all
the candles and lamps are extinguished. Then, on Saturday, a
special sacred fire is lit. This represents the risen Christ
whose light dispelled the darkness (death).
The Paschal candle is the first candle to be lit with this
sacred flame; it represents the light of Christ which has come
into the world.
This candle is traditionally the first to be
lit and the one from which all other lights are taken. In most
cases today the candle will display the Greek letters alpha and
omega (the beginning and the end), together with the year
indicated at the base. Five grains of incense in red are
embedded in it to represent the wounds of Jesus Christ (from the
nails in each hand and foot and the spear in the side).
It is also used at baptisms to light the candles that represent
the light of Christ. For that reason, after the Easter season,
it is frequently found near the baptismal font.
Throughout the year, the Paschal candle is lit in all instances
of baptism and in the rituals of death: funeral, Mass of Repose
and Mass of Requiem. |
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The Pews |
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Look closely at the sides of the pews. Do
you see any symbolism there? Look closer. |
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Once again, the number eight is used, and this
time not once but twice:
- Eight horizontal carved lines
- An octagon, carved with a cross
What appears to be plain decoration at first
glance is actually a subtle use of religious symbolism. |
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The Sanctuary |
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The Sanctuary is composed of many parts, such as
the Altar,
Ambo (Pulpit) and
Tabernacle. Three steps (symbolizing the Trinity) lead to
the Sanctuary. |
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The Altar |
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Until the Second Vatican Council, the altar in
the Catholic Church was a table standing on a platform with
three steps (altar steps), and placed under one or more statues
or a picture of a saint or a sacred event. Most churches would
usually have three altars - a main altar called the high altar,
a side altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and another dedicated
to Saint Joseph. Up until the council the Tridentine Mass was
celebrated in Catholic churches. The priest used to stand facing
the same direction, known as the "liturgical East" as the
congregation for most of the Mass. During the canon he would
offer up bread and wine, then changed into the Body and Blood of
Jesus Christ, according to Catholic belief, towards the altar.
Since the council and the introduction of the new order (Novus
Ordo) of the Mass, the new altar is placed in front of the old
high altar. The original Altar was split in three- the central
portion is located behind the altar and reserved for the
Tabernacle, and the other two portions are located to left and
right, below the shrines to the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph.
On the front of the altar is a Christogram.
The circle symbolizes the perfection of God, as it has neither a
beginning nor an end. One of the oldest Christograms is the
Chi-Rho or Labarum. It consists of the superimposed Greek
letters Chi Χ and Rho Ρ, the first two letters of chi-rho-iota-sigma-tau-omicron-sigma
ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, which spells Christ (literally "Christos") in Greek.
On either side of the Chi-Rho are the Greek
letters Alpha and Omega. Alpha and Omega (Gr. "το
'Αλφα και το Ω") is an appellation of Jesus and God in the book
of Revelation (verses 1:8, 21:16, and 22:13). Its meaning is
found in the fact that Alpha(Α) and Omega(Ω) are respectively
the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. This would be
similar to referring to someone in English as "the A to Z". This
phrase is interpreted by Christians to mean that Jesus existed
from the beginning of time (as the second person of the
Trinity), and will exist eternally.
It is here that the central sacrifice of the
Mass takes place- where the celebrant (priest) offers up the
simple gifts of bread and wine to be consecrated into the Body,
Blood and Divinity of Christ. |
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The Ambo
(Pulpit) |
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A pulpit (from Latin pulpitum "scaffold",
"platform", "stage") is an elevated platform where a member of
the clergy stands in order to read the Gospel and deliver
a homily (sermon), and where our lectors read from the holy word
of God. It is for this reason that it is constructed of
marble.
In many churches, there are two speaker’s stands in the front of
the church. Typically, the one on the left (as viewed by the
congregation) is called the pulpit. Since the Gospel is read
from the pulpit, the pulpit side of the church is sometimes
called the gospel side.
The other speaker's stand, usually on the right (as viewed by
the congregation), is known as the lectern. The word lectern
comes from the Latin word meaning "to read", because the lectern
primarily functions as a reading stand. It is used by lay people
such as the Cantor, to lead the congregation in prayer, and to
make announcements. Unlike the marble of the ambo, it is made of
wood and is much simpler in appearance.
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The Tabernacle |
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The
Tabernacle is the fixed locked box, where the Blessed
Sacrament is reserved. To the right is the Sanctuary Lamp.
A sanctuary lamp is a light which is displayed before
a tabernacle in Roman Catholic churches as a sign that the
Blessed Sacrament is reserved, or stored, there.
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The
celebration of Holy Eucharist is the central act of worship of
the Catholic Church and is celebrated here daily. Here at St.
Michael Parish, as in most Catholic churches, the Eucharist is
placed in reserve in a very prominent place. Pope John Paul II
requested private as well as public prayers in the presence of
the Eucharist. This is encouraged at St. Michael's.
Our church is open 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entrance to the
Eucharistic Chapel can be made via the steps on both sides of
the altar platform. All are invited to come and pray, meditate
and rest in the presence of the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of
Jesus Christ.
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Above the tabernacle, we see five circles in the
marble arch at the top (one of which is covered by the purple
shroud). These symbolize the
Pentateuch: the first five books of the Old Testament
that comprise the Torah in Judaism. (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus,
Numbers and Deuteronomy). Also, we see two eight-sided stars
that represent the Star of David. These symbols represent how
Christianity grew out of the Jewish tradition. Lastly, we
see three triangles on either side of the arch which represent
the holy Trinity. |
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