Church Tour

Altar: The altar and pulpit were designed by our architect, Tom Reinecker; and fabricated by the artisans of Pagliaro Brothers Stone Company of Upper Marlboro. Our altar top and sides were manufactured from a white marble quarried in Carrara, Italy. The altar top weighs 1700 pounds. The pure white marble from Carrara, Italy, was used by the Romans and such Renaissance sculptors as Michelangelo and Antonio Canova. It is still favored by modern sculptors. Carrara marble is quarried in the northern Apennine mountains, which forms the backbone of the Italian peninsula.

Altar Sculpture:

Nursing Madonna: The depiction of the Christ Child at the breast of His Mother Mary is the central feature of the shrine in honor of Mary outside the Cathedral of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The Nursing Madonna is also the oldest shrine in North America, still standing outside the Spanish fort in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Moses and Elijah: In the scene of the Transfiguration recalled in the Gospels, Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus. "Moses and Elijah appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem." (Luke 9:32). Moses was the great lawgiver. Here he is depicted with the tablets of the Ten Commandments. Elijah represents the prophets who fearlessly proclaimed the word of God. The flame in his hand reminds us of his victory over false prophets. The placement of Moses and Elijah in our sanctuary is a clear reminder that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. In this confused and morally challenging age, they remind us, therefore, that we are meant to both cherish God's commandments, and live as a prophetic people.

Baptismal Font: Our Baptismal Font is symbolically built in an octagonal shape; that is, eight sides and eight angles. Our baptismal font is high in order to serve as our one holy water font for those entering the church or the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. The Christ or "Paschal" Candle is nearby the Baptistry. The candle reminds us of the words of Jesus, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Crucifixion Stained Glass: Henry Holiday was the Tiffany of Victorian England. His crucifixion scene now installed at Jesus the Good Shepherd, Dunkirk was originally commissioned for Saint Mark's Church, Southampton. It is inspired by the Gospel of John. We are profoundly indebted to the Worshipful Company of Glaziers & Painters of Glass; Glazier's Hall; 9 Montague Close; London Bridge; London, SEI 9DD. Through their Stained Glass Repository, we have been gifted with the Henry Holiday window and the Clayton-Bell windows of the Chapel and Baptistry.

Holy Oils: The holy oils used in the sacraments of the Church are blessed during Holy Week by the Archbishop. The Oil of Catechumens (OC) is used to anoint those preparing for Baptism. The Oil of the Sick (OI) is used to anoint those who are ill, as the Good Samaritan "approached the victim and poured oil and wine over his wounds" (Luke 10:34). Here the oil acts as a spiritual salve in which the Holy Spirit effects healing of mind and body. The Sacred Chrism (SC) is used in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders. Here the oil signifies the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, who at Baptism gives to those born again of water and the Spirit a share in Christ's priesthood and prophetic mission. At Confirmation the Spirit strengthens the baptized to give witness to the faith of Christ before the world. In Holy Orders the Spirit consecrates the hands of the priest to raise up to the Father the transformed Gifts of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, Christ's own Body and Blood.

Labyrinth: The labyrinth is a symbol of the pilgrimage of life, with all its twists and turns, its confusion and its peace, with God always at the center of ourselves and of life. Labyrinths are about 4000 years old, and are found in sacred traditions across the world. Our particular labyrinth, the Dromenon, was already old when it was inlaid in paving stones in the floor of Chartres Cathedral around 1194. In Chartres the labyrinth is 40-foot around. Our smaller version is exact, containing the same paths.