We continue walking Eastwards along the North Nave wall. Above the confessionals we find these two windows, and the elaborate gold decoration below the support for the hammer beam truss. The two windows depict stages in the Way of the Cross. At left Jesus is crowned with thorns and tormented by the soldiers. At right, Jesus carries his cross. The numbers III and IV correspond to the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. The inscriptions are: (left) ‘Pray for Nijab & Marion Nadiff RIP’, and (right) Pray for Thomas Patrick & Norah Agnes Brady RIP’. INDEX
22. STATION AND WINDOW
At left is one of the Stations of the Cross placed around the walls of the Cathedral. This shows Jesus being condemned to death. At right, the window depicts the crucifixion of Jesus with Mary standing at the foot of the cross. The window numbering ‘V’ shown here corresponds to the ‘Fifth Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary’: Mary Stands at the Foot of the Cross. Below the scene are the words ‘Consummatum est’ (‘It is finished’).
23. ST GERRAD MAJELLA
Rounding the corner, we leave the nave and come to the Northern entrance porch. The floor is tiled with a random grey and white mosaic. In the middle is a large star with the letters ‘IHS’ – the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus. Overlooking the scene is a statue of St Gerrad Majella, a Redemptionist brother who lived 1726 – 1755). Because of his life experiences, his intercession is sought for children, unborn children, childbirth, mothers, expectant mothers, motherhood, falsely accused people, good confessions, lay brothers and Muro Lucano, Italy.
25. CHAPEL WINDOWS
The Lady Chapel has two North facing windows. These are rather different in character from the nave windows we have been seeing. I believe the left window depicts our Lady of Lourdes. The story is that Bernadette Soubiros saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in a grotto and near a flowing stream. The figure was dazzling white with a blue belt. Inscription: ‘To commemorate the sacerdotal Silver Jubilee of Bishop Fox 1917 – 1942. The right window depicts the Sacred Heart and St Margaret Mary Alacoque. Inscription: ‘Behold this heart which has so loved men’. Pray for Martin & Mary Jane Fox RIP’.
26. SAINTS
On the North wall of the Lady Chapel stands St Joseph and the Christ child. St Joseph carries lilies, relating to an old legend as to who would be ‘the father’ of the Chosen One. Standing against the West wall of the chapel is St Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland and founder of the Christian church there. He is crushing a snake underfoot. This relates of course to the Genesis story, and also to the fact that there are no snakes in Ireland today.
27. CHAPEL EAST WALL
There are three items of interest on the East wall of the chapel. Central is the figure of Our Lady holding the Christ child. She wears a gold crown, and like St Patrick is crushing a serpent underfoot. At left is a framed print of St Mary MacKillop, the only Australian saint, and founder of the Order Sisters of St Joseph. At right is a framed cloth icon of the Virgin showing her with a crown and halo of stars, and with her heart pierced.
28. NORTH EAST NAVE
We now retrace our steps back past St Gerrad Majulla to the North East corner of the nave. We note the fine marble altar rail which was installed during the Cathedral renovations in 1959-1960, and observe that there are two further items of interest by this through way.
29. LADY ICON, PAPAL LETTER
The icon at left is ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (Help)’, and is often found in Catholic cathedrals. The original picture is painted on wood, with background of gold. It is Byzantine in style and is supposed to have been painted in the thirteenth century. It represents the Mother of God holding the Divine Child while the Archangels Michael and Gabriel present before Him the instruments of His Passion. At right is a Papal decree, declaring the Virgin Mary of Perpetual Succour the principal Patron of the Diocese of Wilcannia – Forbes forever.
30. SANCTUARY AND ALTAR
Moving to the centre of the nave, we now look to the sanctuary. The Bishop’s cathedra is at left, the pulpit at right. Immediately in front of us is the front altar from where the Eucharist is administered to worshippers. At back are three lancet windows above the high altar with its jade reredos. We notice that there is a commemorative plaque set in the floor immediately below the front altar.
31. FLOOR PLAQUES
There are in fact two commemorative plaques set in the floor of the sanctuary. The one beneath the front altar commemorates the life of Thomas M. Fox, third Bishop of the Wilcannia – Forbes Diocese, 1931 – 1967. Further South, another plaque commemorates the life of the first Bishop of the Diocese of Wilcannia, Joannes Dunne, 1887 –1916. Each plaque carries the coat of arms of the respective bishop.
32. CATHEDRA AND OILS
At left stands the Bishop’s Throne or cathedra. It is the presence of this throne, representing the seat of administration of the Diocese, which gives the Cathedral its name. There are two features in the green wall at right. One is a compartment with a door bearing the words ‘Olea Sacra’or ‘Sacred Oils’. There are three main oils recognized in the Catholic Church: Oil of the Sick (for healing), Oil of Catechumens (for anointing those about to become Christians), and Oil of Chrism (used immediately after baptism). We shall discuss the engraving at right shortly.
33. HIGH ALTAR
The high altar is a simple structure – no elaborate decorations. It was installed in 1966. On the altar are six candles – traditionally representing God’s light, and God’s light in our lives. At centre is a remarkable gold crucifix.
34. EAST WINDOW
The East window comprises three lancets. The left panel shows the Virgin Mary, standing on a serpent and a crescent moon. Inscription: ‘Honours the Children of Mary & Sacred Heart Societies. The centre panel depicts the Risen Christ showing his heart with a stylized crown of thorns surrounding it. Inscription: Pray for the Right Rev J. Dunne Bishop of Wilcannia & Very Rev W. H. Connelly. The right lancet shows St Joseph holding his identifying lily. Inscription: Donors M. K. Power and W. J. McBride. This window was designed by Mayers of Munich, Germany, and installed in 1911.
35. ALTAR BACKING
The lovely flowers need no comment! At right is the door to the aumbry. At one time the consecrated elements of the Eucharist were stored in aumbries, but this is no longer the practice in Roman Catholic Churches. At left is the second of the two engravings on either side of the altar. Together they read: ‘ALTARE PRIVILEGIATUM QUOTIDIANUM PERPETUUM’, declaring that this altar is a privileged altar perpetually set aside for the celebration of daily Mass.
36. CRESTS
On either side of the sanctuary, a column supports a pair of Gothic arches. On each of the four North-South faces at the top of the columns is a colourful coat of arms. The second of these is recognizable as belonging to William Hayden, 2nd Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes, so perhaps one might surmise that these are the coats of arms of the first four Bishops of the Diocese?
38. CATHERINE McAULEY
The picture is of Catherine McCauley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, who ministered to the people of Broken Hill for 120 years. They provided pastoral care and contributed to the faith, education and care of the children, as well as to the cultural development of the people of the Silver City. The Order of the Sisters of Mercy, founded in Dublin by Catherine McCauley, came to Broken Hill from Singleton, NSW, in 1889.
39. PULPIT
The raised pulpit is a simple but attractive modern structure with surrounding metal railings. It features the Chi-Rho symbol on the front – the well known monogram for ‘Christ’.
40. SACRED HEART ALTAR
Near the pulpit in the South East corner of the nave is the Sacred Heart altar. The Sacred Heart statue stands at left, and there are interesting mosaic designs behind the altar. The tabernacle on the altar contains the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, as indicated by the red sacramental light at left. It was moved here from the main altar in 1966.