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 Baptismal Font
The baptismal font, on the left side of
the sanctuary, stands on a marble pillar similar to the legs of the altar and
the base of the tabernacle. It contains its own plumbing so that living water may flow into the font
during baptism. On the arched wall, along side the font is a carving by the Long Island artist Yan
Reiger, depicting the baptism of Jesus.
On the rear wall of the baptistery area there are three
cabinets, appearing as little houses, called an ambry in which the
sacramental oils are kept. These sacred oils are blessed by the Bishop on
Holy Thursday.
This font was installed in 1982 replacing
the original font that now stands at the main entrance to the Cathedral and is
the main holy water font. The original baptistery once stood in the main
vestibule of the Cathedral behind a wrought iron grille. This grille now
separates the sacristy from the stairway that leads to the Msgr. Quealy room
beneath the Cathedral.
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