head of the aisle

6 - At the head of the aisle

Many Catholic churches are built in the shape, of a cross. The place where we are standing is called the transept, where the two parts of the cross intersect.

This area of the church contains a number of beautiful items that call for our attention. First of all, let's look at the large windows. Our parish is named St. Mary of the Assumption, and the two large windows focus on two of the greatest moments in Mary's life - the Birth of Jesus, (on the east side), and her Assumption into Heaven, (on the west side). The other eight windows (four on each side) depart from the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and instead remind us of the Beatitudes. Many people think that the beatitudes capture the heart of Jesus' teaching. It would be a good practice to meditate on each one, just like the Stations of the Cross.

The side altars are dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is shown holding the child Jesus, and to St. Joseph, who is holding a bouquet of lilies, a symbol of purity. The picture of Mary on the east wall is "Our Lady of Perpetual Help." The Perpetual Help Devotion prayers are recited every Tuesday after the morning Mass. On the opposite wall you see a statue of Jesus, showing his Sacred Heart, a symbol of overflowing love for all people. The carpet medallions were designed by Charles Blacklock, a retired architect from Bay City, who took his inspiration from the forms found in the large round windows above the Marian windows. The fleur de lis is a reminder of the French people who comprised about half of our congregation from the beginning in 1873 until they formed their own parish, Our Lady of Visitation in 1895.

Now let's look at the lectern from which the Scriptures are read at Mass. Its proper name is the Ambo, although many people call it a pulpit. This is a very important piece of furniture, because of our belief that one of the four ways the risen Christ is truly present during the Eucharist is in the Word. The Lectionary is the book of scripture readings to be used at Mass. It is carried by the Lector in procession and placed on the Ambo at the beginning of Mass. The Liturgy of the Word begins with the first reading and concludes with the General Intercessions (also called the prayers of the faithful). The entire Liturgy of the Word is centered around the Ambo. The normal pattern of readings is from the Old Testament (also called the Hebrew Scriptures) first, followed by the psalm, which is set to music, then a selection from the New Testament, and finally a passage from one of the four Gospels. The candle next to the Ambo is kept burning during the Liturgy of the Word.

The ministry of Lector is an important ministry, because of the presence of Christ in the Word. In earlier centuries the Order of Lector was one of the "minor orders" which led to the Priesthood. The Word of God comes alive when it is read aloud and takes root in the hearts of believers.