The Narthex leads to the Gateway of the Faithful. A sculpture of John the Baptist[1] bids us to continue our journey by moving from ancient traditions to the New Covenant.
St. John’s gesturing toward the Annunciation Doors underscores this movement. The artist describes the imagery on the doors thus: “On the left door the angel Gabriel is bringing God’s invitation to Mary to give birth to Emmanuel. On the right door Mary is responding to this invitation. She is holding an empty vessel, a symbol of her readiness to accept this invitation.”
Immediately inside these doors is the Baptismal Pool.[2] We are reminded that we enter into our pilgrimage through the waters of baptism just as Israel began its journey to freedom through the Red Sea. The great Pascal Candle is maintained next to the waters of baptism reminding us that the fire of God is leading us on our exodus journey.
The upper basin of the pool is the original granite baptismal font. The living waters now flow from this basin into the lower pool. In these still waters we are born into new life. The fish mosaic symbolizes the Church forming the circle of life surrounding the person who is being immersed into our faith life. The fish is one of the ancient symbols of the Church. The first letters of the Greek words for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior”, spell the Greek word “icthus” (fish). The fish mosaic reminds us of our return to the ancient rites of Christian initiation whereby adults are immersed in the waters of new life. In the pool are three crosses recalling the mystery of the Trinity. Immersed in the sacred waters of birth and marked with a cross, we are joined into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Him we share in the divine life of the Trinity that is offering humanity salvation. On the upper ledge of the pool is an inscription[3] from an ancient catechism on baptism written by St. Cyril of Jerusalem.
Suspended above the font is a silk baldacchino.[4] The movement of the painted silk cloth calls to mind the voice of God erupting into our world and declaring us “BELOVED”.
On the east side of the baptismal area is the ambry, a cabinet housing the Church’s sacred oils. These are the Oil of Gladness (Sacred Chrism), the Oil of Strength (for the sick) and the Oil of Wisdom (for Catechumens). These are blessed each year by our Bishop during Holy Week and received by the parish on Holy Thursday when we celebrate the Mass of the Last Supper.
On the west wall is the armaria which is a cabinet containing the gospel books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The gold coverings were crafted by artisans in Argentina.
The Annunciation doors lead into the Sanctuary which is divided into two areas: the Nave and the Centrum (central liturgical area in the sanctuary). The Sanctuary is a sacred oasis on our exodus journey. It is the place where we gather around the wellspring of life to be refreshed. It is in this place where we hear the sacred stories of our salvation retold. Here we are surrounded by the memories of the communion of saints and the traditions that shape us.
The Nave is where the assembly gathers and may be seated during the celebration of the sacred mysteries. The pews are constructed of African mahogany and designed to enhance acoustics. The floor surrounding the Baptismal Pool forms the center aisle through the Nave. It becomes the floor of the central sanctuary platform and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. It is the road on which our journey continues into a new future. The highly polished Shivakashi granite reflects the stained glass windows. This reminds us that on the journey we can glimpse the glorious future promised to humanity and made possible through the Christ.
On the west side of the Nave is the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, placed just outside the Reconciliation Chapel. She is a living witness to the reconciliation and new life God offers each of us and our world. This statue is hand carved and is a gift from the Sisters of Casa Hogar in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. It is an expression of their gratefulness for our ongoing support of their ministry to abandoned children.
On the tower wall, to the right of the Centrum, is the Jesse Tree depicting the earthly lineage of Jesus. It is surrounded by stained glass representing the sky and the earth. The roots of the tree depict the twelve tribes of Israel whose names are written in ancient Hebrew. These roots converge into the trunk of the tree depicting the formation of these tribes as one people under David from whom Jesus will descend. This is represented by the star painted in the center of the tree with the name “David” written in biblical Hebrew. The lineage finds its fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth whose name in Greek is “Chi Rho”, and is placed in the crown of the tree. Superimposed on this title is the Latin “Christus Rex” which is translated “Christ the King”. [5]