BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL

This chapel is located in the former Baptistry. According to the General Instruction to the Roman Missal, "It is highly recommended that the Holy Eucharist be reserved in a chapel suitable for private adoration and prayer." Our Cathedral chose the Baptistry as a Eucharistic Chapel. A grilled oak doorway, presenting a bas-relief of both the Blessed Virgin and Christ's presentation in the Temple, leads to the Eucharistic chapel. Upper portion of the bronze tabernacle (from the original main altar) is overlaid with sliver and gold; it rests on an Italian onyx plinth (made from the Regina Angelorum altar from the Bishop's chapel). The tabernacle is in the shape of a tower, taken from the seal of our sister city, Toledo, Spain. Guarding the entrance are two wrought aluminum and bronze gates with Mraian roses and fleurs-de-lys abounding in this masterpiece. It was designed by William Perry and executed by Wendell August in a foundry in Pennsylvania. An El Greco replica by Carl Fuchs adorns the west wall. Painted at the Del Prado in Madrid, it was contributed to the Cathedral by the artist. The ceiling is also by fuchs and is embellished by the Four Evangelists. Two pair of stained glass windows portray subjects relating to the Sacrament of Baptism: the Baptism of Jesus; St. Peter baptizing in Rome; the Baptism of the emperor Constantine, and the baptism of Kateri Tekawetha (Now the first beatified native American, Kateri Tekawetha is honored with a shrine in Two Rivers, Michigan. She is a Mohawk Indian who was martyred for her loyalty to the Catholic faith. Behind the doors are storage areas for linens and oils used in the sacrament of Baptism. Exceptional workmanship is pronooneed by the tesalated marble floor.