TABERNACLE of Cast bronze, hand chased, made
in Florence, Italy, by the famous Florentine Artist,
Bearzi.
MAIN ALTAR — The Mensa or top is 9’0”
long, 3’4” deep, and 5” thick of solid Sicilian Pearl marble, the Mensa is supported by two marble
legs and the center trunk. The Mensa has five incised Crosses, one on each corner and one
in center, with a Sepulcher for the Reliquary as prescribed by the Sacred Congregation of
Rites so that the Main Altar can be consecrated. The Altar design is that of a
perfectly liturgical Altar.
The decoration on the face of the legs and center
trunk of the Altar are made of solid bronze, gold plated. In symbolic form, they represent
the Wheat and Grapes (Bread and Wine) the Chi-Ro, the Alpha and Omega, meaning the
beginning—the end.
The weight of the Altar: Mensa, and three supports is
four tons.
THE PREDELLA is the three steps on which the
Altar rests, is of Sicilian Pearl and Red Ruburent marble veneer, built up on solid masonry.
THE REREDOS (background of Altar) is made up of two sections. The base or reredos
retable is used to decorate the Altar with flowers. This base supports the two solid Verde
Gressoney pilasters which are 5” thick, 2’6” overall width
and 12’O” high, weighing one ton each.
The lighter green inserts are Verde Tipo Issorie marble, which is the general trim
color of the Sanctuary. The marble pilasters support the Baldachino which covers the
Altar. The Baldachino was manufactured locally, made of furniture grade oak, stained,
and shaded green. The design applied thereon portrays the accomplishments of Saint
Sylvester. The Papal Crown and Keys, the Triple Cross, and the Crozier are the symbols
of his reign as Pope. The Cross with the light rays over the broken Roman standard signifies
that during his reign as Pope the Church arose from the Catacombs.
THE CRUCIFIX — The life size figure of Christ the King is hand carved in Chestnut
wood executed in Ortisei, Italy. The Cross is made of Walnut and Oak.
THE SIDE ALTARS
The Blessed Virgin Altar is a shrine Altar with a Venetian Glass
mosaic symbol of a
lily symbolizing the Immaculate purity of our Lady. The Altar is made of Sicilian Pearl
marble and the background is Red Ruburent. The life size wood carved chestnut wood
statue is mounted on an oak bracket. The almond design on the wall is also a form’ of
decor used for the Blessed Virgin.
The St. Joseph Altar is considered a Portable Altar. That is, that Mass can be
celebrated there since the Altar stone is imbedded in the
Mensa. The marble is the same as that on the Blessed Virgin Altar. The statue of St. Joseph and the Christ Child is hand
carved in chestnut wood on an oak bracket. The decorative panel behind the Statue
includes symbols dedicated to St. Joseph.
COMMUNION RAIL
Particular attention should be paid to the design. The idea was created to transpose
the design of the center trunk of the Main Altar (used by the Priest) to the post design
of the Rail (used by the laity) or that the Communion Rail is the Altar of the Parishioners.
Here we receive the Body and Blood consecrated on the Altar above the center trunk
after which the rail is patterned. The Cross on each post is to remind us of His Cross.
The symbolic design of the Bronze gates portrays the rings, the Host, and the Rays,
originating from the Host to the stars, the many graces we obtain
when receiving Holy Communion.
GENERAL DATA
| Man hours to make and install the Sanctuary |
3600 man hours |
| Weight of marble |
23 tons |
|
|
| Material used to install marble |
15 tons sand |
|
52 sacks cement |
|
26 sacks plaster |
|
42 pounds copper wire |
|
115 pounds brass rods |
|
800 Clay tile |
|
130 concrete block |
|
|
|
|
DECORATION
The Symbols above the Holy Oils Repository and the Credence Table are executed
on canvas in oils.
The painting of the Holy Ghost and rays is executed to appear like Mosaic using
heavy oil color painted by brush in small rectangular and square blocks allowing the
base color (dark grey) to serve as the cement joints.
Artist for Decoration: Rudolph Rohn
Artist for Wood Carved Items: Morodee—Ortisei,
Bolsano, Italy
Bronze and Aluminum Work: Guild Hall Studios
Main Altar Tabernacle: Bearzi; Florence, Italy
