SANTA CRUZ CHURCH

+1919+

A closer look.....

Why is this saint there? What is on the stained glass window? Read further to find out.....

on the cupola or dome's windows there are four evangelists.  "As early as the second century, christian writers sought in ezechial's vision (1;5) and in apoc (revelation):4:6-10 symbolical representations of the four evangelists. The system which finally prevailed in the latin church, consisted in symbolizing st. matthew by a man, st. mark by a lion, st. luke by an ox and st. john by an eagle.

Statues --close to the Crucifix:

Our Lady of Sorrows--blessed virgin mary (south)

St. John (north)

"near the cross of jesus there stood his mother--seeing his mother there with the disciple whom he loved, jesus said to his mother, 'woman, there is your son."  in turn he said to the disciple, "there is your mother."     jn 19:25-26

at the main altar:

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, patron of the carmelite order.

St. Joseph, husband of mary. (north)

in the main body of the church (starting southeast):

St. John of the Cross.         He was born at fontiveros in spain around 1542. after a number of years as a carmelite, he was persuaded by st. theresa of avila in 1568 to lead a reform movement among the brothers which brought a new energy of the carmelite order.  renowned for his wisdom and sanctity, he died at ubeda in 1591.  his spiritual writings remain a fitting testimony to his life. (from the liturgy of the hours)

St. James, Apostle.        "son of zebedee and brother of st. john the apostle, was born at bethsaida.  he was present at most of the miracles performed by christ and was put to death by herod around the year 42.  he is especially honored at  compostella in spain where a famous church is dedicated in his name." (from the liturgy of the hours)

St. Peter, Apostle:     he was a fisherman from bethsaida. he was introduced to jesus by his brother, andrew. though he was somewhat irresolute of character, peter's faith, love and enthusiasm endeared him to christ.  peter's repentant spirit, boundless faith and generous love far out weighed his shortcomings.  after the acension, peter began to exercise his office as head of the church.  he presided over the election of mathias who filled the vacancy created by judas' defection, preached on the first pentecost sunday.  later he presided at the apostolic council in jerusalem.

St Anthony Padua, Doctor:     he was born in lisbon, portugal near the end of the twelfth century.  he joined the canons regular of st. augustine, but, shortly after ordination to the preisthood; he transferred to the friars minor to devote himself to spreading the faith among african peoples.  he had his greatest success however, preaching in france and italy and converting heretics.  he was the first member of this order to teach theology to his brethren.  his sermons are notable for their learning and gentleness.  st. anthony died at Padula in 1231.

Windows     (starting southeast)

The bronze serpent: "from mount hor they set out on the red sea road, to bypass the land of edom.  but with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against god and moses, 'why have you brought us up from egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? we are disgusted with this wretched food!'  in punishment the lord sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died.  then the people came to moses and said, ' we have sinned in complaining against the lord and you.  pray the lord to take the  serpents from us.'  so moses prayed for the people, and the lord said to moses, ' make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover!"(num21:4-9) symbol of jesus on the cross saving us from our sins.

The scroll(book) and the lamb.   "in the right hand of the one who sat on the throne i saw a scroll...but no one could be found to open the scroll or examine its contents.  i wept bitterly because no one could be found worthy to open or examine the scroll.  one of the elders said to me 'do not weep.  the lion of the tribe of judah, the root of david, has won the right by his victory to open the scroll with the seven seals.'....'worthy are you to receive the scroll and break open its seals, for you were slain. with your blood you purchased for god, men of every race and tongue, of every people and nation" rev 5:1-8.

The crown of thorns.     "weaving a crown out of thorns they fixed it on his head." mat. 27:29.

The reed and the lance.  "they stuck a reed in his right hand." mat.27:29----"one of the soldiers thrust a lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out." john 19:34

PAX = peace.   men became reconciled with the father with his death on the cross.

bread and wine.   they were used at the last supper and we repeat it at the celebration of the eucharist.

sorrows of our lady.   seven events in the life  of our lady through which she is especially honored: 1) the prophecy of simeon foretelling the sword of sorrow(lk2:25-35),  2)the flight into egypt(mat2:13-14), 3)the disappearance of jesus when he was twelve years old (lk2:42-49), 4) our lady's meeting with her son on the way to calvary, 5)the death of her son on the cross (mk15:37), 6) the taking of his body from the cross (lk23:53), 7) his burial (mt27:60).

i.n.r.i.  initial letters of the latin phrase, "jesus nazarenus rex iudeorum" meaning jesus of nazareth king of the jews.  this inscription was written in latin, greek and hebrew and was by pilates orders affixed to the cross (jn19:19-22).

hammer and nails     the instruments of torture used to fix christ's hands and feet to the cross.

the scourging.   "so pilate, who wished to satisfy the crowd, released barabbas to them; and after he had jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified."  (mk15:15)

pelican.    a large, web-footed bird.  legend has it that the pelican punctures its breast with its beak and draws its own blood to feed its young. hence it is used in christian symbolism as an emblem of christ, who shed his blood for mankind on calvary and nourishes us with the holy eucahrist.

the altar of sacrifice.   sacrifice is man's public expression of the natural desire to give god the worship that is his due.  the israelites offered sacrifices to the true god which he accepted and approved from the first.  these sacrifices of the old law were but a type and foreshadowing of the perfect sacrifice instituted by christ at the last supper.  a few hours before his death christ changed bread and wine in to his body and blood thus instituting the sacrifice of the mass.