Tour of the Churches

The Cross reminds us of the supreme sacrifice offered by Jesus for the sins of the world. The cross is empty to remind us of the resurrection and the hope of eternal life. St. Mary’s is filled with this wonderful symbol and many more.

Atop the Altar of Repose is a crucifix. A crucifix differs from a cross in that a crucifix has a corpus (Body) of Christ.

The quatrefoil is a type of decorative framework consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter. In Christianity, each of the leaves of the quatrefoil symbolizes the four evangelists of the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The one on the right is on the ambo which is where the gospels are proclaimed. The one on the left is on the pew where the gospels are heard.

The ornate hinges on the doors even have a cross in the center. This particular cross has trefoils on the end that is a symbol of the Most Holy Trinity.

Every set of stations has a cross associated with it. At St. Mary’s there is a cross upon a cross on all fourteen stations.

The light lanterns at St. Mary’s are decorated with crosses on all six sides.

Each of the stained glass windows at St. Mary’s has decorative colored crosses throughout the length of the entire window.

The sanctuary lamp, that shows that the Eucharist is present in the tabernacle, is adorned with multiple crosses.

There are four crosses on the font. Salvation comes from Jesus who died on the cross. The story of the cross is told by the four gospel writers.

The ceiling and arches of St. Mary’s are decoratively adorned with crosses too numerous to count.

The Pascal candle represents the light of our risen Lord and the splendor of his Resurrection. At the center of the candle is a cross. Five grains of incense are put on the cross and the center, representing the five wounds of Christ. Even the base of the candlestick is adorned with a cross.

The letter “M” intertwined in the symbol of the Cross refers to the close relationship that Mary has with her Son, Jesus.

Chi Rho-This monogram is composed of the first two Greek letters of the word "Christ" (XPICTOC). On either side of the symbol are crosses

Located on the ceiling of the sanctuary the fleur-de-lis represents purity and can be associated with the Virgin Mary. It is sometimes used in relation to Gabriel and the Annunciation, where he declares that Mary will conceive and give birth to Jesus. It is also said that the three petals and three sepals (the leaves below the petals) are a tribute to the trinity; that is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

On the Altar of Repose are two candlesticks whose bases are decoratively engraved. One of the images is that of the Blessed Mother, another the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the third is a triangle representing the Trinity.

On either edge of the Altar of Repose are two angels in prayer.

The Agnus Dei (Latin for "Lamb of God") this symbol is located at the center of the Altar of Repose. Seated on a book with seven seals, it represents the final judgment when Christ returns in glory. (Rev. 5:11)

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

On the small altar below the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus there is a symbol of the sacred Heart.