Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT;
17 Oct 2011
Australian bishops gathered at the Rome pilgrim centre Domus Australia for the Dedication of the Altar Mass as their Ad Limina visit drew to a close.
The St Peter Chanel chapel at Domus Australia, recently restored and the heart of the pilgrim centre, looked magnificent as the bishops, clergy and religious from both Australia and Rome, and guests gathered for the special mass celebrated by Cardinal Pell and concelebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne, Archbishop Barry Hickey of Perth and Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett of Lismore.
The Rector of Domus Australia, Fr Anthony Denton, also assisted Cardinal Pell.
It is to this chapel Pope Benedict XV1 will come on Wednesday to officially open Domus Australia.
The St Mary's Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Thomas Wilson, has travelled to Rome for the official opening but was also singing at the Dedication of the Altar today.
The voices of the 23 boys and 12 men in the choir filled the chapel with sacred music and a prayerful but stark contrast to the destructive street riots of Rome during the past 24 hours.
One of the new Paul Newton paintings in the Chapel, that of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop was also a reminder this night one year ago was the eve before Australia was to have our first saint.
The Australian bishops had spent the day at Domus following their Ad Limina visit where they give an account of their dioceses to the Pope, the Successor of Peter.
The Rite of Dedication of the Altar is a very sacred moment as the altar is the table of sacrifice and banquet.
The choir sang the Litany of Saints which was followed by the placement of relics beneath and at the back of the altar - an ancient and venerable tradition.
"This is also a mark of respect and a symbol of truth that the sacrifice of it's members has it's source in the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church," Cardinal Pell explained.
The relics enclosed in the altar were those of Saint Peter Chanel, Priest and Protocol-Martyr of Oceania ; Saint Andrew Dung-Lac, Priest and Companions, Martyrs of Vietnam; Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr; Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Religious, First Saint of Australia; Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church; and Saint Pius V, Pope.
"The relic of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop reminds us, on the eve of the first Anniversary of her Canonisation, of our first Australian Saint," Cardinal Pell said.
"The relics of the Vietnamese Martyrs remind us of the rich history of the Catholic Church and the diverse historical influences that have made the Church in Australia what it is today and will carry us into the future.
"And the relic of St Peter Chanel was obtained from St Patrick's, Church Hill in Sydney, the site where Catholics in a private house adored the Blessed Sacrament in the early colonial days before they enjoyed religious freedom and were allowed to have a Priest."
This moment in Australian Catholic Church history is also featured in a Paul Newton painting near the altar.
Cardinal Pell then read a Prayer of Dedication which was followed by the Rites of Anointing, Incensing, Covering and Lighting of the Altar.
The altar is anointed with chrism which makes the altar a symbol of Christ, who is called The Anointed One.
A bowl of incense was then burned in the centre of the altar with the incense wafting high above the altar and signifying Christ ascending to God and the prayers of the people rising up.
Young Australian seminarians studying in Rome then covered the altar,
Repairing it for the sacrificial banquet.
Finally here was the Lighting of the Altar showing Christ is the light of the world.
The celebration of the Eucharist followed after which the congregation had time to reflect and also admire the architecture and artwork of the Chapel.
The parietal decorations, marble walls and pillars, plaster work and wooden items have all been restored to their former glory and the floor completely replaced.
http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/news/latest_news/2011/20111017_1207.shtml
The organ has been completely restored by the same family that built it originally and as well as the Chapel paintings by Sydney artist Paul Newton there is a magnificent crucifix is by Louis Laumen of Melbourne.
"Domus Australia is a religious and cultural centre for pilgrims to Rome," Cardinal Pell said.
"But the heart of the centre will always be the Chapel. Tonight was certainly a beautiful occasion."
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