Rev. Richard S. Vosko, Ph.D.

Photograph by Julius Schulman & David Glomb. All rights reserved.

The first “liturgical” focal point encountered in the Cathedral is the baptismal font, a metaphor for the Christian journey. With its abundant moving water it is a crossing where, in baptism, the Christian embraces the life and death of Jesus Christ. The living water is a reminder of the commitment to the rhythm of life and the work of the Church. It is also a resting place for those who have finished the race. The baptismal font represents a major threshold in the life of Christians. Through the waters of baptism candidates “die with Christ and rise with Christ.” (Romans 6:4)

There are references to many ancient symbols in this font. The cruciform shape is a reference to the cross on which Jesus died. The three steps into the font point to the three days in the tomb. The peripheral octagonal shape refers to the 8th day of the week (Sunday) -- the day on which Jesus rose. The fish outlined in the gates are references to the symbol used by early Christians to identify themselves to one another. The five letters of the Greek word for fish, IXTHUS, stood for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”

The upper and lower basins of the font allow for baptism by immersion according to the Church’s rites of Christian initiation.

REFERENCES

“The celebration of the sacrament itself consists of a washing in water by way of immersion or infusion [pouring water)....” [Rite of Infant Baptism, No. 18.2).

“Either the rite of immersion, which is more suitable as a symbol of participation in the death and resurrection of Christ, or the rite of infusion may lawfully be used in the celebration of baptism.” [Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, General Introduction, No. 22.].

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