Explanation of Altar and Reredos

His symbol is an axe, with which he was put to death in Ethiopia.

(1st Century) Mentioned in the New Testament only in Acts 1:21-26, where he was selected by the apostles to replace Judas,

St. Matthew the Apostle represented as a preacher of the Gospel in Egypt and Ethiopia.

 

St. Andrew carrying a book and resting on a X (on which he was crucified in Achaia, Greece) converting Maximilla, wife of the consul, Aegeus. The latter, enraged at him, seized, scourged, and crucified him. Tradition has it he was fasteded to the X not with nails but with thorns.

 

Saint Simon carries a saw with which he was martyred while in Persia preaching the Gospel.

 

Saint Thomas carrying a lance. He was martyred in Meliatore, on the coast of India, by Brahmin priests who stoned him and then peirced him with a lance.

 

Saint John the Baptist clothed in camels' hair and carrying the scallop shell, the symbol of his having baptized Jesus.

 

Saint Anne mother of the Virgin Mary, shown with an open book symbolizing instruction.

 

He was the first to depart on his mission to preach the Gospel and is regarded as the patron saint of pilgrims, and is here shown with a pilgrim's wallet and hat. The legends of the Middle Ages have supplied the story of his life as a traveller and preacher and miracle-worker.
He became especially popular in Spain and is still their hero and patron.

 

Saint Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist and kinswoman of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blessed Mary shown with her hands in an attitude of adoration, and her head turned towards the panel of the Nativity

 

Saint Phillip carrying a staff, carrying a T cross, symbolic of his martyrdom. After the Ascension he travelled into Scythia and preached the Gospel there for twenty years. He was martyred in Hierotolin, in Phrygia, where the native priests wer incensed against him for preaching against their local idolatrous worship.

 

Saint Francis of Assisi shown holding a cross and preaching to the birds, according to tradition. A bird is perched on his left hand. Note how much shorter this figure is than the others, the niche being filled by raising the height of the pedestal. Saint Francis was notably a short man.

 

Saint Jude or Thaddeus he preached the Gospel in Syria and Mesopotamia. He was stricken down and killed with a halberd, and this is used as his attribute or symbol.

 

Saint Bartholomew with a flaying knife, the implement of his martyrdom. He travelled into India, carrying with him the Gospel of Saint Matthew; returning thence he preached in Armenia and Cilicia, and coming to the city Albanaopolis he was condemmed to death as a Christian; he was first flayed and then crucified.

 

Saint Paul sword with point down symbolizes his martyrdom; the book denotes his writings, his only symbols.

 

Saint James the Minor - He was a near relative of Christ's being the son of Mary the wife of Cleophas and sister of the Virgin Mary.  According to early tradition he closely resembled Our Lord in face and figure, and the resemblance can be noted in the carving. He was martyred by having his brains dashed out with a club.

 

Saint John shown as one of the Apostles, and a companion of Our Lord, represented as a young man. As the Evangelist he is pictured as much older. His symbol is the Cup, or Chalice. Tradition is that an attempt was made in Rome to poison Saint John in the Cup of the Sacrament. He drank without injury, however, the poison by a miracle having issued from the Cup in the form of a serpent, and the hired assasin fell down dead at his feet. It is probable that the Cup in the hand of Saint John alludes to the words given by Our Saviour to the mother of James and John, "Ye shall drink indeed of my Cup." When the Cup has the consecrated wafer, it signifies the institution of the Holy Communion.

 

Saint Peter holding a key and carrying a book. "And I say unto thee that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church .. and I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven."