61. CHAPEL WINDOW

This window is to the right of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, The base is unfortunately damaged. It depicts the Virgin Mary with child Jesus, and the serpent underfoot. As commented earlier, it would be better placed in the Lady Chapel.    INDEX

62. CHAPEL ALTAR

This altar matches the Lady Chapel altar, but has a Sacred Heart statue, and a red banner with the Alpha-Omega symbols and a two-finger salute. This gesture, in which his first two fingers and his thumb are extended and his third and fourth finger are closed, is among the most frequently occurring of Christ’s hand gestures in Christian art. It emerged as a sign of benediction (or blessing).

63. APPROACHING THE SANCTUARY

We come now to the sanctuary. At left is the ambo (pulpit). It appears to have a gold on black pattern on the front.

64. AMBO DESIGN

A closer inspection reveals the symbols and names of the Four Evangelists. These are Matthew (an angel or man), Mark (a lion), Luke (a bull) and John (an eagle).

65. NAVE ALTAR

The design of the nave altar matches that of the pulpit, but carries the Chi Rho symbol. It is formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters chi and rho (ΧΡ) of the Greek word "ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ" = Christ in such a way to produce the monogram. Although not technically a Christian cross, the Chi-Rho invokes the crucifixion of Jesus, as well as symbolising his status as the Christ.

66. REAR OF ALTAR

It appears that this altar was given by Julia Maria Kenny in memory of John Barry D.D., Fourth Bishop of Goulburn.

67. LECTERN

Also on display in the sanctuary area is this brass lectern with its amazing height adjustment mechanism.

68. SANCTUARY LAMP

This sanctuary lamp is unusual in that it hangs below a golden chalice. The sanctuary lamp burns continuously to indicate the eternal presence of God.

69. PRECENTOR’S CHAIR

This solidly constructed chair may well have been a cathedra in earlier days!

70. SANCTUARY SAINTS

The saint at right is St Joseph. He is holding the young Jesus, and has a flowering staff in his left hand, referring back to an old legend. I am uncertain of the identity of the figure on the left.

71. EAST WINDOW

The main panes of the beautiful East window show from the left: Jesus praying in the garden, Jesus bearing his cross and talking to Mary, the Crucifixion, and the resurrected Christ. Below we have the Annunciation, Nativity, Presentation, and Baptism of Jesus.

72. HIGH ALTAR

The High Altar is not unlike the two chapel altars in design, but is larger and more complex. The lower panel shows Shepherds and Magi worshipping the Christ Child. Higher up, the Crucifix stands above the tabernacle.

73. CRUCIFIX AND TABERNACLE

In a Christian (Old) Cathedral, it is fitting that the focus of attention should be on Christ: here the Crucified Christ who died for all.

74. OLD POSTCARD, 1916

The Old Cathedral has a great deal of interesting history, but in fact the old building looks remarkably unchanged today from how it was in this 1916 view. It is to be hoped that the restoration will bring the building back to its former glory. This completes our tour of the Old Cathedral.