The role of the sanctus bells The sanctus bells, or sanctuary chimes, are the bells used during the process of Mass. The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul’s three-tiered sanctus bells may look familiar to parishioners of St. Patrick’s Church as they were rung at that church until it closed on Oct. 28, 2009. The […]
Celebrating the Basilica
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Celebrating the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
Reconciling the sinner with God “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned . . .” So begins the lament of the penitent within the private confines of the confessional. Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent for Catholics worldwide, including at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. After receiving ashes on the forehead as a […]
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The Basilica's sculpture: honoring God
Located in the lower church at the entrance to the chapel is a statue of St. Anne and the young Virgin Mary. It is enshrined in ornately carved wooden paneling and there is a “prie dieu” kneeler directly in front of the statue. The expression “prie dieu” is French for “pray to God” and such […]
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The story of the side altars at the Basilica
Celebrating the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul In last week’s “Celebrating the Basilica” series, readers may have marveled at the structure’s impressive dimensional statistics. As long as three football or soccer fields and able to seat almost as many as the Androscoggin Bank Colisee (upper and lower churches combined), such a grand sacred building […]
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The high altar’s Lamb of God mosiac
Celebrating the basilica of Saints Peter and Paul The high altar at the basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is constructed of one piece of Italian marble. The twisting, peach-hued Solomonic columns in front were part of the basilica’s old side altars and reconstituted to fit with the high altar. The centerpiece of the altar […]
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The luna and the monstrance
Celebrating the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul The monstrance and luna are sacred vessels, like the chalice and paten, used in liturgical celebrations at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. The monstrance is a decorative circular stand constructed of metal designed to hold the consecrated host. The host itself — the wafer that […]
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The veiling of the chalice
Celebrating the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul The sacristy is the behind-the-scenes staging area at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and houses the priests’ bibles, vestments and all of the many liturgical chalices and linens used during Mass. It is a room off the high altar where the priests, altar boys and […]
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A holy sink for cleaning the holy sacraments
A special sink for the holy sacraments One of the seldom-seen features of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is the sacrarium, a special sink in the sacristy of the Lewiston basilica marked with the symbol of a cross and guarded by a small lock. It is used solely for washing the sacred vessels […]
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‘Beautiful woodwork’ thanks to the Depression
Celebrating the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Construction on the upper church of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul began in 1933 and finished in 1937, 80 years ago. After work on the exterior of the structure was completed, Casavant specialists came to Lewiston to install the organ, according to basilica historian Bob […]