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Altar

- There is a deep Catholic theology that underpins the meaning, purpose, beauty and quality of the altar. As a result, the altar in the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is the most important and central liturgical feature of the entire Cathedral.
  
  Our belief and understanding is that the altar is the representation of Christ our Lord. The Prayer of Blessing of the Altar highlights our understanding of the altar in Catholic worship: "May this altar be the place where the great mysteries of redemption are accomplished, a place where your people offer their gifts, unfold their good intentions, pour out their prayers, and echo every meaning of their faith and devotion."
  
  Cardinal Roger Mahony designed the Cathedral altar in consultation with artisan Louie Carnevale. It is made from a six ton, thick slab of Turkish Rosso Laguna marble and was fabricated, cut, polished and shipped from Carrara, Italy. It is eight feet wide, ten feet across, and ten inches thick. Because of its size, the altar had to be lowered 128 feet into the Cathedral by crane before the roof was installed.
  
  The marble is a rich burgundy with veins of white, gray and red. The altar top rests upon a single round pillar of similar marble and is enhanced with four bronze angels designed by Mary Louise Snowden.
  
  Since the design architect, Professor Rafael Moneo, chose a circular pattern stone floor emanating from the altar and reaching to the far corners of the Cathedral, it is appropriate that the grace and the power of the sacrifice upon the altar be seen to flow down and throughout the Cathedral. The single round altar pillar fits in beautifully with the theology of the altar and the design of Professor Moneo.
  
  Learn more about ALTAR ANGELS, MARY LOUISE SNOWDEN, PROFESSOR RAFAEL MONEO
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- Altar Dedication
  In the prayers for the altar's dedication, the Archbishop anoints the altar with Chrism (sacred oil) as a memorial of Jesus Christ who is the "Anointed One" above all others, and whose path believers follow when they are anointed in Baptism. After the altar is first formally anointed, priests take Chrism from the Archbishop and anoint the walls of the Cathedral in several places. The power of the anointed altar extends now to the walls of the Cathedral Church, creating a spiritual linkage between the altar and the rest of the Cathedral structure.
  
  Incense is then burned on the altar to signify the sacrifice of Christ, together with the prayers and pleas of the assembly that will rise from the Table of the Lord. After incensing the newly anointed altar, other ministers go forward to incense the walls of the Cathedral Church, along with the assembly gathered in prayer and worship. Once again, the special power of the altar goes forth to fill the rest of the new Cathedral and its people with the sweet-smelling smoke that represents our prayers rising to God.
  
  The altar is covered for the first time with white linens, and candles are lighted to show how Christ the Light radiates from the altar to all peoples. Once the candles near the altar are lighted, ministers take lighted tapers throughout the Cathedral Church and light the various other clusters of candles, especially the dedication candles affixed to the places where the walls have been anointed.
  
  Radiating from the altar, the entire Cathedral Church and the space of the assembly is anointed, incensed and lighted. Thus, the altar is perceived and understood in the power of its symbolism filling the entire Cathedral with the graces of the Paschal Mystery of the Risen Lord.
- Cardinal Roger Mahoney
  Cardinal Roger Michael Mahony was appointed Archbishop of Los Angeles by Pope John Paul II on July 16, 1985. He was installed as the fourth Archbishop of Los Angeles on September 5, 1985. Pope John Paul II elevated him a cardinal on June 28, 1991.
  
  Born in North Hollywood, California, Cardinal Mahony is the first native Angeleno and the third Archbishop of Los Angeles to be created a cardinal. Cardinal Mahony was ordained to the priesthood May 1, 1962. He was appointed Titular Bishop of Tamascani and Auxiliary Bishop of Fresno January 7, 1975. He was appointed Bishop of Stockton February 26, 1980.
  
  In 1986, to better minister to the five million Catholics in the Archdiocese, Cardinal Mahony developed the five Pastoral Regions (Our Lady of the Angels, San Pedro, Santa Barbara, San Fernando, San Gabriel). In 1995, he announced plans to build the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to replace the earthquake-damaged former St. Vibiana's Cathedral.
  
  "It is my dream and fondest hope that as people first catch a glimpse of our new Cathedral they will be drawn and captivated by its beauty and symbolism. Viewing the Cathedral from any direction should evoke sure recognition that this is the City of the Angels Catholic Cathedral, while subtly luring the viewer by its sense of spiritual strength. As people draw nearer, the size, proportions, and external beauty of the Cathedral should cast an intangible sense of peacefulness and security upon all who behold it, while continuing to draw them closer - almost irresistibly. Their hearts and souls should experience soothing comfort in the vitality and the wonder of God's House in the midst of the human community."