St. Joseph's Church

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Around the Church

St. Joseph's Church, in addition to being incredibly beautiful, is filled with symbolism of aspects of the Catholic faith and the Polish religious culture. The windows, for example, each have a disk representing aspects of our faith. As you look around the church, you should notice several important things, and understand their significance.

Doors

The Doors

Red color doors have traditionally been on the outside or inside doors of churches. As you leave the narthex (upstairs hall) and enter into then nave (inside of the church) you walk through the red doors. The red doors are a reminder that it is only through the blood of Christ that we are saved and redeemed.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8)

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

The Baptismal Font

As you enter the nave of our church, the first sacred object you come in contact with is the marble baptismal font. The baptismal font is also used as the Holy Water font for people entering the nave of the church. We bless ourselves and recall our baptism through which we became members of the Church and graced with the royal priesthood of Christ. it is a reminder of God's adoption of us into His family, a sign of His everlasting covenant with His people.

Ambry

The Ambry

The niche on the right side of the baptismal font is where the holy oil of the catechumens, holy chrism, and the holy oil for the anointing of the sick are stored.

The Altar

The entire church is centered toward the altar table. The altar does not merely symbolize the Table of the Mystical (Last) Supper. It is the symbolic and mystical presence of the heavenly throne and table of the kingdom of God; the table of Christ the Word, the Lamb and the King of the everlasting life of God's glorified dominion over all his creation. It is the symbol fo Christ Himself as High Priest. The five crosses on the Mensa (altar top) symbolize Christ's Altar

five wounds.

The five pillars symbolize the five Patriarchal Sees which uphold Christ and God's new covenant. The five Patriarchal Sees are Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople, and Rome. Rome, as the ancient center, was given the primacy within the pentarchy into which Christendom is now divided. The supremacy of Rome and the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) is found in Holy Scripture.

The five patriarchal columns are in this order:
Jerusalem Antioch

Rome

Alexandria Constantinople

the ambo

The Ambo (pulpit)

The Ambo is the place where the Holy Scriptures are proclaimed and applied. It is where the Psalm and Exsultet are chanted. Through preaching, worshippers are reminded to be doers of the Word, not hearers only (James 1:22). The Ambo reminds worshipers of the regenerating power of the Word. The scriptures are the written word of God; they point to Jesus, the Word Incarnate.

The eagle is the oldest known symbol used as an Ambo. The eagle has a rich symbolic history. An early legend held that the eagle would periodically renew its youth by flying near the sun and then plunging into a lake or fountain. On this basis, the eagle became a symbol for the Resurrection. Since the eagle soars upward, it also became a symbol for Christ's Ascension. Eagles also represent Christians who have been baptized into Christ, who have died and risen with Him.

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagles wings, and brought you here to myself. (Exodus 26:33)

The Tabernacle

The original tabernacle was the tent where the presence of God resided. It was built according to the detailed instructions given to Moses. The new tabernacle sides and top represent a tent.

The background for the tabernacle reminds us of God in the burning bush and the pillar of fire. You shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, purple, and crimson yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. (Exodus 26:1)

Hang this veil from clasps. The ark of the commandments you shall bring inside, behind this veil which divides the holy place from the holy of holies. (Exodus 26:33) Divine Mercy

The Image of the Divine Mercy

The sacred image of Christ, the Divine Mercy, and Saint Sister Faustina on the left side is special to this community. Saint Sister Faustina was the first person to be canonized in the new millenium. She is Polish and the visionary of the Divine Mercy.

The Four Sconces

The four sconces found on the side walls of the church signify that the church has been consecrated. The church was consecrated by the Bishop in 1997, when renovations took place.

The Raredos (the old Altar)

The symbol of the Ten Commandments on the raredos reminds us that our Catholic roots are based in the Old Testament. The Ten Commandments were given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai. They may be used to represent the whole of God's law, the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible -- the Torah), or the entire Old Testament. The Ten commandments are usually portrayed three on the left (which refers to the peoples relationship with God) and seven on the right (which refer to peoples relationships with other people).

Commandments Raredos I. I am the LORD your God. You shall not have strange gods before me.
II. You shall not take the LORD your God's name in vain.
III. Remember to keep Holy the LORD's Day.

IV. Honor your father and mother.
V. You shall not kill.
VI. You shall not commit adultery.
VII. You shall not steal.
VIII. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
IX. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
X. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
(Exodus 20:1-17)