Symbols

As part of the first phase of the redecoration project For Such a Time as This, beautiful new liturgical furnishings, including the Altar, Ambo and Tabernacle Stand were hand crafted in Italy primarily from white Carrara marble, using a richly veined marble, Macchia Vecchia for the columns. In addition, a new wall in the central arch of the Apse provides a backdrop for the tabernacle. It was fashioned from four slabs of statuarietto marble symmetrically matched to form a diamond pattern, along with the same matching marble columns.  

About the Symbols

Each of these liturgical furnishings is adorned with a crest or medallion that incorporates symbols from our Catholic faith. Our faith touches and involves our whole self: mind, will, emotions, and body. For that reason, the interiors of churches are traditionally rich in symbols.

The crests were hand carved from linden wood, in Italy, where this is a well-established tradition particularly in the northern region of Val Gardena. After carving, they were finished with gold leaf, shipped to the U.S., and then mounted to the furnishings here at the Basilica. A laurel wreath surrounds each emblem symbolizing Christ’s victory over death.

Victory

In ancient times, the laurel wreath was given to victorious athletes and military commanders. In Christianity, the laurel wreath symbolizes victory over persecution and suffering. 

Immortality

The laurel wreath's association with immortality comes from the laurel's leaves, which are resilient and don't wilt or fade easily. 

Glory

The laurel tree is said to have bowed in the presence of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Victor, who conquered sin and death. The laurel wreath is also a common symbol in cemeteries, where it represents victory over death.

The Altar

The Lamb of God image on the Altar depicts the Risen Christ in the Book of the Seven Seals in Revelations. “I saw the Lamb open the first of the seven seals, and heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice of thunder, COME!” (Rev. 6:1)

In the Book of Revelation, the "Lamb of God" image, particularly in reference to the seven seals, symbolizes Jesus Christ as the only one worthy to open the scroll containing the secrets of the end times, signifying his power and sacrifice to redeem humanity, directly referencing the biblical passage where John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). 

Key points about the Lamb of God in the Book of Revelation:

• Sacrificial symbolism:

The lamb is a traditional symbol of sacrifice, representing Jesus' death on the cross to atone for human sin. 

• Worthiness to open the seals:

In Revelation 5, only the Lamb is deemed worthy to open the sealed scroll, signifying his authority and power over the events of the end times. 

• Seven eyes and horns:

The Lamb is often depicted with seven eyes and seven horns, representing his perfect knowledge and power, linked to the seven spirits of God. 

• Central theme of Revelation:

The image of the Lamb is a recurring theme throughout the Book of Revelation, emphasizing Jesus' role as the ultimate victor over evil.

We pray.

“Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us and grant us peace!” Amen

The Ambo

The Ambo is adorned with images of the Four Creatures from Scripture that represent the four writers of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This is referred to as a tetramorph and is one of the most common motifs in Christian art.

In Christianity, the four living creatures are symbols of the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John:

The lion: Represents Mark, who emphasizes Christ's royal dignity

The calf: Represents Luke, who stresses Christ's sacrificial ministry

The man: Represents Matthew, whose book opens with Jesus' human descendants

The eagle: Represents John, whose Gospel opens with a heavenly vision 

The four living creatures (literally "beings") are based on Ezekiel's vision of cherubim. They are also similar to beings in Isaiah 6:1–3, Ezekiel 1 and 10, and in the Book of Revelation. The creatures are full of eyes, have six wings, and worship God by singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come" (Rev. 4:8-11).

The four living creatures are also thought to represent aspects of Jesus Christ. For example, the lion represents Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. 

They are thought to be agents of God who call all living things to worship the Creator, and they are involved in God's justice, as seen when they command the four horsemen to unleash destruction upon the earth.

The four Gospel creatures surround the superimposed Greek letters, XP. The Chi-Rho (XP) is a Christian symbol that represents Christ, Christianity, and Christians. It's made up of the first two letters of the Greek word for "Christ" (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ):

Chi: The letter X, which looks like a chi.

Rho: The letter P, which looks like a rho.

This symbol may be referred to as a Christogram. The Chi-Rho is one of the earliest Christian monograms and can be found in Roman catacombs where early Christians met in secret. It's older than the cross, which didn't appear until the fourth century. 

The Chi-Rho has several symbolic meanings:

The Incarnation

In Insular Gospel books, the Chi-Rho is used to mark the beginning of Matthew 1:18, which introduces the life of Christ. 

The historical connection

The Chi-Rho reminds Christians of their historical connection to those who came before them. 

The nature of God

Variations of the Chi-Rho incorporate other symbols, such as the Latin word pax (meaning "peace") or a shepherd's crook, to symbolize the nature of God in Christ. 

The hidden cross

Removing one arm of the X reveals a hidden cross. 

The Chi-Rho is also used in abbreviations, such as Xmas for "Christmas" and Xian or Xtian for "Christian". 

The Tabernacle Stand and Wall

A pelican is used in the crest on the tabernacle stand. In Christianity, the pelican symbolizes the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as it was believed that a mother pelican would pierce her own breast with her beak to feed her young with her blood during times of famine, representing Christ giving his lifeblood for the salvation of humanity; this imagery is often seen in Christian art, particularly in relation to the Eucharist, where Christ's blood is considered a spiritual nourishment for believers.

Key points about the pelican in Christianity:

Symbolic meaning: The pelican's act of feeding its young with its own blood is interpreted as a representation of Christ's sacrifice on the cross to redeem humanity. 

Early Christian art: Images of pelicans piercing their breasts are commonly found in medieval Christian art, including stained glass windows and church decorations. 

Eucharistic connection: Due to the blood imagery, the pelican is often associated with the Eucharist.     

At the top of the wall framing the tabernacle and the tabernacle stand is the symbol The Hand of God.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus contains many additional symbols representative of our faith and the history of the parish, and many of these will be detailed in future communications along with information about the next phase of For Such a Time as This.  

Phase 1B

With Phase 1A of For Such a Time as This complete, we are on schedule with the entire restorative redecoration project, and now have in place many of the foundational steps necessary for Phase 1B. That phase of the project is scheduled to begin in June 2025. The work to be done consists primarily of executing the design for the reimagined Triumphal Arch, the plaster repair and painting of the entire church, and completing the lighting system. Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc. is the primary contractor for this phase and will begin their work with a scan of the church interior sometime in January. 

Thank You!

It was through your patience and continued support that we were able to complete this phase of the project. Thank you.

Our goal is to create a welcoming environment that supports the various liturgies that occur within it, is balanced and appropriate for a Basilica, follows current liturgical guidelines, and respects the history of Sacred Heart.