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His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
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Special FeaturesHighlighting our Basilica are forty-six stained glass windows. The large windows down the side walls have a center medallion depicting events of the life of Christ. The center medallions are surrounded by complete scriptural symbolism from the Book of Revelation. Windows such as these are very rare in the United States and have been used recently in an art exhibit focusing on Apocalyptic Art. The glass for the windows came from Germany, England and France. A fifteen foot diameter Munich rose window in the choir loft illuminates the elaborately frescoed wassa and gold coffered ceiling which terminates in the richly decorated sanctuary. Christ is at the center of the window surrounded by His four evangelists. The theme of the of the four evangelists pointing the way to Jesus, "The Church Triumphant," is carried throughout the building. Each of the symbols of the evangelists are on the capitals of the columns: Mark is the winged lion; Luke is the winged ox, Matthew is the winged angel, and John is the winged eagle. These symbols come out of the book of the Prophet Ezekiel and are also found in the Book of the Revelation. It is typical of Christian symbolism that the evangelical symbols are all winged, for wings are a symbol of divine mission. Adding to the beauty of our church is the Christ the King painting in the dome of the sanctuary. Here, once again, you see the theme of Christ with His four evangelists. The old high altar is a table of white Botticino marble and is covered by a Baldachino of the same material. The altar stone, which runs the length of the altar, contains a relic of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, patron saint of the parish. The Stations of the Cross are along the walls, flowing out of the rounded arches which are perpendicular to the nave. There are seven stations each on the west side and the east sides. Under the stations are twelve candlesticks which indicate that this church has been consecrated by the bishop. The twelve candlesticks represent the twelve apostles. |
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