From this you seem to suggest that we should be made to feel ‘worthy’ of heaven? That we should not be ‘humbled’ by our entry into a House of God?
My guess is ‘I’ would be humbled walking into this ‘new’ Cathedral so maybe many of us are ‘off-base’ with our criticisms but humility is apart of our approach into the presence of God… heaven on earth.
As a hermit in the Diocese of Oakland, and one who has seen the new Cathedral (and attended the dedication and Festival of Light), I can say that the symbolism and Catholic nature of the building is undeniable. Built of really fundamental elements (Wood, stone, metal, glass) it makes the most use of light I have seen in a cathedral. On the large omega window above the altar is a large representation of Christ as pantocrator (Christ in majesty) formed solely from light. (It comes in through various sizes of pin holes and is projected on the inner panels of the omega window. At night, the image is visible to the outside world as the light comes to it from the light within the cathedral itself.)
The shape of the building (the footprint, that is) is of a fish (can’t get much more traditional than this symbol) and the roof is actually a large oval shaped oculus which opens to the heavens. The altar is marble and stands atop a round platform with steps all around. Directly beneath this is the mausoleum which itself receives light from a circular “skylight” unobtrusively built into the steps. There is a sense of this Cathedral mediating between heaven and earth — as clearly Christ in his Church does.
The windows which make up the walls of the Cathedral are substantial and look it. They are fritted with ceramic, meaning panes are bonded together with ceramic. Again, they let in light, reflect light, mediate light to the world outside. Within them are the ribs of the cathedral and the wooden louvres which form both “walls” and moderate the light. From the outside they are striking and fit the city center even while distinguishing the building from those whose “business” is more ordinary. Is the building reminiscent of an Ark? Yes, since the Church is, in some senses, the ark of the new Covenant, why not?
The baptismal font is wonderful and can be used for immersion or pouring, depending upon the circumstances. It is a constantly moving pool so the symbolism of living water, the “troubled” waters of the pool at Bethsaida, etc. is contantly recalled and present. (Again, the symbolism could not be much older or more traditional.) Nearby the ambry holds magnificent vessels for the various chrisms the cathedral will use during the year. (I personally wish these were a bit more visible than the ambry itself allows, but I suppose protection as well as beautiful sculpture was a prominent concern.
The tabernacle is directly behind the altar built into the wooden reredos. On either side are seats for choir and presbyterate. Flanking these is the ambo with crucifix on one side, and the cathedra with Bishop’s coat of arms on the other. (The coat of arms is one of the most beautiful pieces of metal scupture I have seen, and I expected it to be gaudy and awful.) Behind the reredos is a chapel of reservation foucused on the tabernacle (which opens from this side). Both aspects of the tabernacle (chapel and church) contain bronzes with central symbols of Eucharistic faith: burning bush, manna in the desert, crucifixion, shepherd and sheep, etc. Again, the lines are simple using wood, metal, glass and LIGHT to speak of God and the beauty of his creation.
The confessionals are based on the same pattern as the reredos, except that the wooden wall formed in the center of the small room is done in the shape of an “S”. Into each niche in the S is a chair or seat which faces the screen and other chair. The wooden screen has a section in the center which can swing open for face to face confession. This whole space was one of my favorites since it highlighted the naked confrontation of penitent and God through the mediation of the priest. There is nothing to distract from what occurs here, and yet the space is warm and comfortable at the same time.
Around the cathedral are multiple side chapels with various kinds of art from various periods, especially reflecting the history of California. As one person mentioned, some of it is rather gaudy (though striking), but it is reflective of a multicultural church too. Also around the cathedral are the stations of the cross. They are wonderful bronzes placed low on the walls to invite people to touch them as they meditate on them. This is another favorite dimension of this space for me. Finally, there are sconces with candles around the building, each designed to include the name of an Apostle, and in the entrances to each of the chapels are quotations inset in metal into the stone (marble?) floor. Throughout the cathedral then are references and symbolism central to the Scriptures and our faith. Those three dimension mentioned early in the posts are almost defined by this new Cathedral.
Postscript: the kneelers are quite comfortable by the way.
Best regards,
Sister Laurel M O’Neal, Erem. Dio.
Stillsong Hermitage
Diocese of Oakland
