Altar Angels

The four bronze angels that adorn the base of the Altar of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels were designed and sculpted by artist Mary Louise (M.L.) Snowden. Cardinal Roger Mahony gave her the inspiration of the Scripture passage from Revelations 8:3 to contemplate as she began to create the angels.

"There was another angel that came and took his stand at the altar, with a censer of gold; and incense was given him in plenty, so that he could make an offering on the golden altar before the throne, out of the prayers said by all the saints."

The angels she envisioned are in flight, hued with rose gold, complementing the Altar's Rosso Laguna burgundy marble. Their hands, eyes and facial expressions are turned upward towards heaven and holiness, taking the gifts of the people to the Lord, and the Lord accepting them and bringing His gifts down through the Altar of the Angels through the assembly to the people.
Each of the four angels is an individual, but their intertwining wings create a beautiful harmony. Each was hand sculpted by the artist in clay so that her touch affected the outward skin when they were bronzed. She sculpted them in two weeks, but, she says, "a lifetime goes into every touch."

Ms. Snowdon describes her feelings looking at the angels the day they were to be delivered to the Cathedral, "I know that the people whom I have loved are with me, and the places that the hard, hard sand that I've experienced in my life are healed with the faith that helps me in my life, guides me and makes all things possible. When I see the angels and I've touched this work, I know that much greater things are at work in the world, that the clay comes through my hands as the clay of my own body."

Learn more about the ARTIST, THE CATHEDRAL ALTAR