Oil Ambry

The Ambry, or Holy Oil Cabinet, was designed by Jefferson Tortorelli for the Baptistery of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. It holds the Sacred Oils blessed each year by the Archbishop at the Chrism Mass, held Monday of Holy Week and sent to the 287 parishes throughout the Archdiocese for use in the Sacramental life of the Church, such as for Baptisms, Confirmations, and the Sacrament of the Sick.

Three Sacred Oil containers can be seen in the Ambry. Here the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Sacred Chrism are kept during the year for use in the Sacraments administered in the Cathedral and by its ministers to the sick.

The Ambry is hung on the wall besides the Baptistery, visible on the front and two sides through inch thick, hand cast glass from Judson Studios. The opening mechanism for the door is similar to a bank vault, so when the handle is turned, it withdraws four bolts on the interior of the cabinet. The bolts form a cross as seen through the window. A smaller cross forms the handle in the center of the door.

Learn more about the ARTIST, JUDSON STUDIOS