61. HOLY OILS

The Holy Oils are kept at this altar. These oils are blessed annually by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass, which takes place on Maundy Thursday in the Cathedral. They are used throughout the diocese in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination and Anointing of the Sick.     PLAN

62. SMALL SACRED HEART SHRINE

Our exploration has now led us back to the nave where at this Southeast corner is this further shrine to the Sacred Heart. The picture at right also gives us a closer look at the shallow South transept. Above the colonnade is a blank wall, and above this the rose window we looked at earlier.     

63. NORTH SANCTUARY

There now just remains the present sanctuary, which lies between the nave and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The central focus in this view is the ambo which acts as both pulpit and lectern. It is from here that the Scripture is read and the Gospel proclaimed, Sunday by Sunday. We can also see the Four Martyrs window, and the entrance to the Lady Chapel. And closer is a brass plaque and the Paschal candle.

64. BRASS AND PASCHAL CANDLE

The brass plate remembers Dean Richard Melchaides Brown, the priest who built St Peter's church. He died in 1868 at the age of 62. His memorial in the Cathedral shows him, as is the custom for founders of churches, holding an image of the church he had built. At right is the paschal candle, a symbol of Christ the Light of the world, and with special significance over the Easter period.

65. SANCTUARY VAULTING

The vaulting above the sanctuary and Blessed Sacrament Chapel is finely decorated in gold and many other colours, and is worthy of close examination. We find here gold bosses, including a central boss showing the risen Christ, floral scrolls, and pictures of angelic musicians.

66. SANCTUARY

The most important part of the Cathedral is the sanctuary. Here the scriptures are proclaimed from the ambo (pulpit), and the Holy Sacrifice of Mass is offered at the altar. The cathedra (bishop’s chair) is also here. The altar, ambo and cathedra are all made of the same material, to emphasise the bishop’s authority over the sacraments and preaching in his diocese.

67. CORONA

The sanctuary dates from the reordering of the Cathedral in 1995. At that time the corona lucis (crown of light) was added above the altar, as was the screen behind the altar.

68. NAVE ALTAR

The nave altar is surrounded by candles and has the (new) cathedra behind. Compared to the reredos and magnificence of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, it is a very simple affair. I like it: it reminds me that Christ was born in a stable, had nowhere to lay his head, and died on a rough cross. This completes our tour of the Cathedral.