Temple

The three levels to enter the church remind us that, to have an encounter with the Lord, we must climb the mountain as Jesus climbed with his disciples James, John and Peter to Mt. Tabor. Each level represents the three loves; Peter who love loved him most, John who Jesus loved most, and James the first one who gave his life for Jesus. The ten palm trees represent the Ten Commandments. As we walk toward the top of Mt. Tabor, the entrance of the church, we are reminded that in order to live according to God's will and to be able to be in grace, we must follow them. In the first level, three commandments refer to love of God and the fourth to honor mother and father. The other six relate to love of neighbor.
 

At Mt. Tabor, Jesus showed His glory to His disciples, a glimpse of the glory of the resurrection. When the disciples saw Jesus transfigured, they saw Moses and Elijah conversing with him, one at each side. The main entrance represents Jesus Christ. He is "the door", the entrance to Heaven. The two arches on the side represent Moses and Elijah, the law and the prophets. The roof over them symbolizes the tents Peter wanted to build for each one and it represents sanctity.
 

The statue of St. Agnes was made by Nilda Comas of white marble that comes from the quarry of Michaelangelo in Carrara, Italy. It is white, stressing her purity and beauty. She stands proudly holding a palm as a sign of victory and martyrdom. Her hair is long and abundant, representing God’s protection, and she is wearing a crown of roses. She holds a lamb representing purity, virginity and her death as a sacrificial lamb. The lilies represent purity and rebirth. The way she stands, balancing on one foot, symbolizes her courageousness. She is set at the center of our plaza as a reminder of when she was taken to the plaza by the Romans to reject God and offer sacrifices to their pagan gods. Her firmness to her faith led to her condemnation. This is an invitation for all of us to give witness of God in the world.

This bell, donated by the Albertson family, was for many years part of the Blessed Sacrament chapel and was completely refurbished. It is small compared to the tower; however, it will be heard for generations to come. In many ways, it represents St. Agnes who was killed at a very young age and her voice is being heard to this day. The cross, made out of steel, is a symbol of victory.

There are marble plaques on both sides of the portico, one with scripture of St. Paul and the other with scripture of St. Peter, the two pillars of the church. Both speak about the love, fortitude and trust in the Lord, virtues of St. Agnes. On the sides of the church there are plaques with scriptures from the Gospel of John and the book of Deuteronomy. All four pertain to love. 

The cross stands beneath the temple reminding us of Christ's victory over death and sin, that through the cross he defeated death, and through his death and resurrection has saved us. The cross is made of old wood. Its simplicity and austerity invite us to reflect on our detachment from this world to embrace our mission as Christians.

As we enter the church, at the center of the narthex, the baptismal font is what is first encountered. This sacrament is the true birth of a Christian into eternal life. Just as the heavens opened when Jesus was baptized, the space above the baptismal font is open up to where the rose window is found, reminding us of the resurrection. The font is made of the same stone of the altar furniture so there is unity between the sacraments of baptism and Eucharist which both give life. 

To be able to go to the main nave, to celebrate the Eucharist, we must go through the hallway of mercy. Our human fragility leads us to sin. The Sacrament of reconciliation allows us to restore our grace and pass into the banquet of eternal life.

 

The main nave brings us back to the creation. In Genesis we learn that when God created the world, he separated heaven and earth. The white ceiling vaults reflect the heavens and the dark wood and dark tile below represent the earth and the clay by which man was made. At the very end of creation God said that everything was good. We are in the perfect place to praise Him and thank Him for all the blessings we have received. The wood is solid mahogany from Nicaragua.

The altar and ambo are made of marble. The stone where the word of God is spoken and the Eucharist is celebrated reminds us that Christ is our rock, our foundation. He strengthens us. (Mt 7: 24-27)

The wooden altar top from our original church was placed inside the walls of the new altar of sacrifice. The location where the original altar used to be, is marked by a plaque in the plaza so anyone can go back to the place where the sacraments were celebrated.

The wooden crucifix was especially made for St. Agnes in Sevilla, by artist Jose Antonio Navarro Arteaga. Fr JC requested for Christ to be depicted still alive, in his last moment of agony. Through His expression, we feel His mercy, compassion and love. The two tears represent His love for us, for which He gave his life. Christ, through His sacrifice, gives us salvation.

The tabernacle was also especially made for St. Agnes by Granda in Spain. The door has a pelican drawing blood from his chest to feed his chick, which is one of the oldest and greatest symbols of the Eucharist since Christ sacrificed Himself for man’s salvation. The sides show grapes and wheat to represent the Eucharist. The interior of the tabernacle depicts the moment of the Annunciation, with the angel, the Holy Spirit, and Mary already pregnant. She was the first tabernacle. Every time the priest opens its door, he is reminded to be a living tabernacle and perfect disciple like our Blessed Mother.

The pews are made of solid sapele wood. The palm branch detail signifies the victorious entry into the kingdom of God. They are placed on the sides of the pews to remind us, as we walk toward communion, that we have been called to be like Christ who gave his life for us and to sacrifice ourselves to be in grace to be able to be good disciples. The presider’s chair also depicts the palm reminding him that he must live by example and give himself wholeheartedly just as St. Agnes did.
 

The bronze stations of the cross, by Alessandro Mutto, are exact replicas of those found in the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.

The sanctuary lamp, also by Granda, reminds us that Christ is present in the tabernacle.

The statues of Mary, Joseph, St. Agnes and the Sacred Heart of Jesus came from our original church.

The nine stained-glass windows found in our temple were made by Willet Hauser in Minnesota

The nave window series depicts episodes from the martyrdom of Saint Agnes. At age 12 or 13, she was executed by Roman authorities after boldly confessing her faith. Agnes, whose name means “lamb,” was a model of Christian virtue and purity. She became an important saint of the early Christian church, and her martyrdom drew many to Christ. In every window, a cross of three red strands intersects behind St. Agnes, drawing the viewer to her and inviting them to consider a comparison to Christ’s passion. As the bride of Christ, Agnes accepted Jesus’ invitation to “deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). In doing so, she not only participated in Jesus’ suffering and death, but also in his resurrection and glory.

As viewers meditate on each window, they are invited to do the same. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses... let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2).

The windows are designed to be contemporary depictions of historical events. St. Agnes lived in the Roman empire under Diocletian; the echoed architecture, dress, and even the shape of the border reflect this. The color palette is drawn from extant examples of Roman frescoes—especially those uncovered in Pompeii. The border is evocative of a mosaic, and the partial arch at the top echoes Roman designs, as well as the arches in the design of the church. Within the medium of glass, the figures are treated traditionally, highly painted and rendered realistically, yet in a sepia tone, evoking a sense of historicity. The border frames the narrative setting, surrounding the image with a halo of soft textured light. The judicious use of opal mouth-blown glass in the figure(s) of St. Agnes sets her apart from all the rest. Opal glass holds illuminated light differently as the sun rises and sets. The stained-glass color will diminish as the sun goes down, but St. Agnes will stay illuminated for a longer period and can be distinguished in reflected light into the evening hours. Employing this technique puts the emphasis on St. Agnes within the scene, and brings her into the viewer’s space as a dramatic tableau.

The Annunciation

The right transept window depicts the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. The angel Gabriel appears, the lily in his hand representing the purity of the woman whom God has highly favored. Mary stands, startled from her study of scripture, but full of hope and wonder. The Holy Spirit is seen above, soon to overshadow her to bring about the miracle of the Incarnation. The Star of Bethlehem flowers in the lower portion signify the royal lineage of Mary’s Son.
 

1 - St. Agnes Rejects a Pagan Marriage Proposal

Agnes, the young daughter of a wealthy Roman family, is beautiful and well spoken of, and thus desirable as a bride. A young man approaches her with an offer of marriage. Thinking his wealth and position as the son of Caius, an official of Rome, would make his offer impossible to refuse, he is astonished when Agnes rejects him. Clutching God’s Word to her chest, she replies, “To hope that any other will please me does wrong to my Spouse. I will be his who first chose me for himself.” The white roses symbolize Agnes’ purity and innocence.

2 - St. Agnes is Put on Trial

Humiliated by Agnes’ rejection, the young suitor has Agnes arrested for being a Christian. She is put on trial before a scornful judge. When Agnes confesses that she worships Jesus Christ as the true God, the judge offers the young virgin a hideous choice: either renounce her faith and enter the service of the goddess Vesta, or be sent to remain at a brothel. Pointing to heaven, Agnes echoes words from the book of Daniel as she confesses her faith. “The God who redeemed me is also able to deliver me from harm. But even if he does not, know that I will never worship your gods or serve them.” We are reminded of Christ when, under trial by Pontius Pilate, refused to defend himself, but only witnessed to the truth.

3 - St. Agnes is Stripped at a Brothel

When Agnes refuses to devote herself to the goddess Vesta, the judge orders her sent to a brothel and stripped. But rather than despair, Agnes prays to Christ, and her hair grows miraculously to cover her nakedness. God also provides an angel to protect her from harm, clothing her in a garment. The posture of Agnes’ folded hands is parallel to depictions of Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, reminding us of his perfect trust in the Father in times of distress. The lamb seated at the foot of the bench represents her innocence and foreshadows the manner of her death.

4 - St. Agnes Intercedes for the Son of Caius

When Agnes’ spurned suitor comes to the brothel to force himself on her, the angel strikes him dead. Assuming that she wields magic, the grief-stricken Caius pleads to Agnes to restore his son’s life to him. She denies having any power of her own, but instead prays to God to restore the man’s life. When God grants her request, Agnes is condemned as a sorceress and sentenced to burn. Agnes followed our Lord’s example, who, when being nailed to the cross, prayed for his enemies rather than cursing them.

5 - St. Agnes is Martyred

Agnes is undeterred in her faithfulness to her Savior. Claiming him as her only spouse, she willingly goes to her place of execution, as our Lord went to his. But even the flames will not consume her innocent life. Agnes prays, and offers her neck to the executioner. Filled with fear, the executioner takes her life with the sword. We do not see his face; he appears to us as inhuman. But the light clings to Agnes as she is killed. Saint Ambrose says of her, “Agnes preserved her virginity, and gained a martyr’s crown.” The soldier piercing Agnes reminds the viewer of the soldier that pierced our Lord’s side.

6 - St. Agnes Joins the Heavenly Banquet

Having suffered a martyr’s death—symbolized by the palm branch—Agnes finds herself welcomed into paradise by the Blessed Virgin. Mary gently takes her hand to guide her to the wedding banquet for which she longed and the Bridegroom to whom she was so devoted. The Holy Spirit, which had filled her heart with hope amidst her trials, looks on approvingly as she receives the crown of life and a robe of righteousness. The lamb, representing Agnes again, climbs the steps in joyful anticipation.

The Coronation of the Virgin Mary

The left transept window depicts the coronation of the Virgin. Truly blessed above all women, Mary receives the honor of being crowned Queen of Heaven by her Son, Jesus, who still bears the wounds of his passion, and by God the Father, who holds the sphere of the earth in one hand. The Holy Spirit completes the triangular composition of the Godhead, giving his blessing to the Virgin Mother. Mary, filled with humility, accepts the gift of God: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

The Victorious Lamb

The victorious lamb, which is behind the highest entrance of the Portico, is the symbol of the resurrection and represents Jesus. Christ is the Lamb who was slain, but now is victorious and lives forever. He holds the banner of the Resurrection: the white flag bearing a red cross. The Lamb alone is able to open the seven seals. The cross motif that appears behind St. Agnes appears here golden—the symbol of suffering and death becomes in Christ a symbol of victory. The circle of roses around the perimeter of the window signify St. Agnes’ crown of roses.

The St. Agnes stained-glass, made by Paul Pickel, that was at the entrance of the Blessed Sacrament chapel was refurbished and is now the window of the Albertson hall.

The Blessed Sacrament chapel is a humble and welcoming space to inspire us to focus on Jesus himself. The two wooden angels, made in Spain by Jose Antonio Navarro Arteaga, hold the thurable with the incense. They invite us to honor, glorify and worship the Lord with our prayers and sacrifices. There are two entrances to the chapel, through the narthrex or from the portico for perpetual adoration when the church is closed.

Learn more about the history of our perpetual adoration at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.

about outdoor stations

The bronze stations of the cross, by Alessandro Mutto, are exact replicas of those found in the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.