41. LADY CHAPEL

On the East side of the North transept is a chapel area with a framed niche containing a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus. Most Catholic churches and cathedrals have a Lady Chapel, but this set-aside area seems to be viewed just as part of the North transept.     PLAN

42. STATUE AND FONT

The text on the pedestal reads ‘Mother of Good Counsel’. ‘Our Lady of Good Counsel’ (Latin: Mater boni consilii) is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, after a painting said to be miraculous, now found in the thirteenth century Augustinian church at Genazzano, near Rome, Italy. An attractive small baptismal font stands on the floor of the chapel.

43. OILS AND TABLET

To the left of Mary is a cabinet containing the holy oils. The Church makes use of three holy oils: the oil of the sick, the oil of the catechumens and the holy chrism oil. The first is used for anointing the sick, the second is used for anointing adults and infants prior to baptism, and the third is used to consecrate someone or something to God's service. The old tablet at right remembers Michael Esther Le Turdu who was bishop here from 1871 – 1877.

44. SOUTH TRANSEPT

The view of the South transept is similar to the corresponding view of the North transept, except for the outline of the organ console. Another statue stands in the wall niche at left.

45. ST JOSEPH WINDOW

Above the South transept door is another beautiful stained glass window, this time depicting St Joseph. Joseph is shown holding a carpenter’s square, symbolising his vocation. In the other hand he holds a budding staff. This illustrates an old legend that the young man whose staff sprouted would be the spouse of the mother of the Lord.

46. ST JOSEPH’S CHAPEL

On the Eastern side of the south transept is St Joseph’s Chapel. Like the Lady Chapel it seems designed for viewing from afar – there is no seating provided. The statue of St Joseph stands in a wall niche and is the focus of attention here. Then there are three memorial tablets on the walls.     

47. ST JOSEPH

St Joseph is pictured here with a hammer and a length of timber. The text ‘St Joseph’ is inscribed on the small pedestal at his feet.

48. MEMORIAL TABLETS

From the left: • The first tablet is in memory of The Very Reverend Jean Marie Beurel, Pro Vicar Apostolic, who built the Church of the Good Shepherd and administered it for 29 years. He died in 1872. • The second tablet is in memory of Joannes Tchu who died in 1848. • The third tablet is in memory of The Reverend Louis Armand Daguin, who died in 1886. He ministered in this Church for 23 years.

49. SANCTUARY

We finish our tour of this lovely Cathedral at the sanctuary. At left is the cathedra, and in front, the ambo and Paschal candle. At right is a lectern. At centre is the altar, many candlesticks, the tabernacle, and behind, an unusual image of Christ on the Cross.     

50. CATHEDRA AND AMBO

The cathedra is the chair of the bishop. The name comes from the Latin for ‘seat’ or ‘throne’, and this Church is a Cathedral because of the presence of this chair. The ambo (or pulpit) is the place from which Cathedral teaching is given.

51. PASCHAL CANDLE AND LECTERN

The Paschal candle stands near the ambo. The word ‘paschal’ means relating to Easter, and the candle has a special role over the Easter period. There is an allusion here to Christ being the Light of the world. The lectern stands on the South side of the sanctuary. It normally holds the Bible, and it is from here that Scripture readings take place.

52. SANCTUARY ANGELS

These angels are in prayerful worship on either side of the altar. Angels are found right through the Bible: spiritual beings often with the role of messenger..     

53. CROSS AND ALTAR

On the wall of the sanctuary is a crucifix framed by a pediment and two columns on either side of it. This reredos is not original: it was installed some time in the 1960s, and is typical of the period, using standard glass mosaic tiles to create a ‘starburst’ background to the crucifix. This completes our tour of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.