The Sanctuary and Altar

The main Altar, imported from Italy and cut from one piece of Perlato marble, stands in the center of the Sanctuary, "versus populum," facing the people, to conform with the new liturgy.  The four columns, or legs of the altar, are composed of Verde Isorie marble, a white-flecked green marble.  On the center base of the altar, designed in gold and blue Venetian Mosaic, is the Agnus Dei, or "Lamb of God."

On the day the altar was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Monsignor John J. Cain the relics of St. Timothy and St. Perputua Martyrs were placed in the reliquary that had been cut into the marble on the top of the altar.

St. Timothy, Bishop and Martyr, was converted to the Christian faith as a child, along with his mother and grandmother, by St. Paul.  As a young boy he occupied most of his time reading the Scriptures.  As he grew into manhood, St. Paul saw that he would be fit for the work of an evangelist and promptly ordained him.  Timothy became the constant companion and beloved friend of St. Paul, who ordained him Bishop of Ephesus.  His entire life was spent in self-denial, holy reading and the work of the Church.  He was imprisoned for his faith and suffered martyrdom in the year 97.

St. Perpetua was a woman of noble birth.  She, along with a slave, Felicitas, had been under instruction in the Christian faith, when they were imprisoned by the Emperor Severus who had ordered all Christians persecuted.  While in prison, she inspired many of the pagan prisoners to turn to the Christian faith.  She eagerly awaited martyrdom, and in the year 203 in Carthage, she and Felicitas were tortured and killed by gladiators.  The account of Perpetua's trials is one of the great treasures of martyr literature, for an authentic document in the actual words of the martyrs and their friends, has been preserved.  These saints were universally honored from the time of their deaths until this day.  The names of Felicitas and Perpetua occur in the prayer "Nobis Quoque peccatoribus" in the Canon of the Mass.

Directly behind the altar stand the three white President and deacon chairs, cushioned in red velvet.  The President's chair, so-called because the celebrant of the Mass is said to "preside," is raised one step above the deacons' chairs. In the center of the Apse, above the three chairs, hangs the large white crucifix, that is framed in the Colonial white-columned woodwork.  The Dove of the Holy Spirit is centered above the top of the crucifix.  On the wall to the left of the crucifix, is the Papal Coat of Arms of Pope Paul, and to the right, hangs the Archbishop's Coat of Arms, showing filial love and obedience to both and showing also that Holy Spirit Church had been erected during the Papacy of Paul VI and the Episcopacy of Archbishop Thomas A. Boland.