Fountains

The Plaza of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels features three fountains with flowing water, evoking thoughts of the living waters of Baptism. The Gateway Pool and Water Wall, the Jerusalem Fountain and the Meditation Garden Fountain all provide a soothing, cooling respite from the clamor of the nearby Civic Center.

Fountains have existed for thousands of years. In ancient Greece, people built fountains above springs thought to have magical powers, adding statues of gods and goddesses as adornments. Rome contains hundreds of fountains built by ancient Romans. During the Renaissance and baroque periods (1500-1700s) Europeans built some of the most complicated fountains using elaborate pumping systems. Some of the most beautiful are Rome's Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Trevi Fountain and Paris' fountains at the Palace of Versailles.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels continues the tradition of the Franciscans when they brought their Spanish influenced central fountains to the courtyards of the California Missions in the 1700s. Each of the three fountains has a special meaning and significance.

The Gateway Pool and Water Well

The Gateway Pool and Water Wall near the Shepherd's Gate off Temple Street was designed by California artist Lita Albuquerque. Her art symbolizes the Scripture passage of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well.
The theme of this Gospel is about people of all classes making connections with each other. After all, in his day, Jesus the Jew was not supposed to speak with a Samaritan, yet alone a woman unaccompanied by her husband.

Jesus asked the woman for a drink of water. She was an outcast even among the Samaritans. Yet, when she spoke with Jesus her life was transformed. Jesus also was moved by this exchange, promising her that "I am the living water," that He would wash away her sins.
 
In the Gateway pool are words sandblasted out of the marble. The words are in the numerous languages currently spoken at Masses in the 287 parish churches in Los Angeles, as a gesture of hospitality to all who visit. The words are from Jesus, "I shall give you living water." The living water flows constantly from the Water Wall and is a precursor of the flowing water that washes away sin to be seen at the Baptistery inside the Cathedral.
 

The Jerusalem Fountain 

The Jerusalem Fountain is situated on the North side of the Plaza adjacent to the Children's Garden and Olive Grove. It was donated by the Jewish community and celebrates the ties between Judaism and Catholicism. The inscription on the stone fountain are the words from Shimon the Righteous, "Upon three things the world stands: The Torah; The Worship of God; The Bestowal of Loving Kindness." He believed that for the sake of these three activities God created the world and keeps it going.

Shimon was roughly a contemporary of Alexander the Great and was a High Priest of the ancient Jewish Temple. He came to be called "the righteous" because of his renown for piety and for kindness to the people he led. His motto paints a portrait of the ideal person for us to strive toward, a person both close to God and of benefit to mankind.

The Meditation Garden Fountain 

Placed near the Campanile on the North side of the Cathedral, the Meditation Garden Fountain provides a quiet circular pool for private meditation. The life giving water flows over giant boulders into waters filled with lilies and assorted tropical fish. The pool and garden, surrounded by Queen and Zehiti Palms, Japanese maples and sycamores is conducive to quiet reflection.

Learn more about LITA ALBUQUERQUE.