Architecture

Sanctuary

 

    Painted by Eladio Santos of Ermita, Manila, the mural on the sanctuary ceiling depicts the apotheosis of the Immaculate Conception. At the center is the image of Mary, carried by angels, and a reminder to the title of Mary, Queen of Angels, a devotion promoted by the Franciscans. The Gospel side shows Blessed Pius IX, the pope who proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854 through the papal bull Ineffabilis Deus (Ineffable God). He is surrounded by Saint Francis of Assisi carrying the banner of the Franciscan Order. Beside him is Blessed John Dun Scotus, also a Franciscan, who expounded the dogma. The Epistle side shows the Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, Saint Michael the Archangel casting Lucifer into hell with the rest of the fallen angels.

 

    At the front part of the mural, partially hidden in the arch are the images of two evangelists.  In the Gospel side is the image of Saint John in a seating position, in his arm, is a book with Latin inscription "Signum magnum apparuit in caelo: mulier amicta sole, et luna sub pedibus ejus, et in capite ejus corona stellarum duodecim" (A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed in the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head) from the Book of Revelations. In the Epistle side is the image of Saint Luke, with which the first part of the gospel is said to be from the Blessed Virgin Mary. A pair of angel holds the sanctuary lamp on each side of the sanctuary.

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Main Retablo

 

    The main retablo is a reconstruction of the original retablo found in the old photos of the church. The bottom part is composed of the gradas, a series of steps for the candelabras, with the tabernacle at the center. In the second part are the niches. The two side niches feature San Joaquín and Santa Ana, parents of the Virgin. Above these niches are the images of Archangel Rafael bearing a rod and a fish, holding a banner with Latin inscription "Salus Infirmorum" (Health of the Sick); and Archangel Gabriel bearing a lily and a banner with Latin inscription "Ave Maria" (Hail Mary). The center niche holds the miraculous image of La Purísima Concepción, flanked by seven angels representing the parishes which came from the Parish of La Purísima Concepción. The golden imperial crown carried aloft by angels is based on the former baldachin which was done in the 1960s. A pair of votive lamp and precious mother-of-pearl or lagang surrounding her represents the love and homage the people of Santa María to the Virgin. The Blessed Trinity patterned after the Altar of San Ignacio in Rome topped the niche as if they are receiving the Virgin on her assumption into heaven.

 

Altar

 

    The altar, being the focal point of every celebration inside the church is located at the center of the sanctuary, at a level visible to everyone. Made from solid marble top and richly carved and decorated frontal, the all-white altar stands out of the rest of the church furnishings.

 

    The top is made from solid white marble. Five crosses were carved in major points of the altar, four in each corner and one in the center, symbolizing the five wounds of Jesus. A Latin inscription "Dedit fragilibus coporis ferculum; dedit et tristibus sanguinis poculum" (He gave them, weak and frail, His Flesh, their Food to be; on them, downcast and sad, His Blood bestowed He:) borders the front side of the altar. It is derived from Sacris Solemniis, one of the five beautiful hymns of Saint Thomas Aquinas composed in honor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The rear side, on the other hand, has the Latin inscription "Sumunt boni, sumunt mali: sorte tamen inaequali, Vitae vel interitus" (Both the wicked and the good, eat of this celestial Food: But with ends how opposite!) derived from Lauda Sion written also by Saint Thomas Aquinas for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. The front piece depicts symbols related to the passion and death of Christ, which is the heart of the liturgy being celebrated in the altar. The Lamb of God is seen at the center surrounded by the images of His passion. Beside are images of Saints Matthew and Mark, both evangelists, with cherubs. On the sides of the altar are images depicting the Holy Eucharist: a pelican and manna, and the chalice and host.

 

    The altar also features a special box for the reliquary of a saint. A relic of San Pedro Bautista has been given by the Franciscan Province of San Pedro Bautista to the parish in honor of the Franciscan missionaries who established the Church of Santa Maria. The relic is encased in glass and is visible on the rear side of the Altar.

 

Ambo

 

    The Ambo, on the other hand, stands in the Gospel side of the sanctuary, in a design similar to that of the Altar. Patterned after the Ambo of the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the front piece depicts in high relief the images of Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. This is an allusion to the renunciation of man found in the Old Testament and the announcement of his salvation in the New Testament. The Good News of the Lord is proclaimed in the Ambo, in the same manner, that the Archangel Gabriel proclaimed the good news to Mary that she will be the mother of the Savior. On each side of the Ambo are images of Saint Peter, holding the keys and with the papal tiara; and Saint Paul carrying an epistle and a sword, symbol of his martyrdom.

 

Presider’s Chair

 

    The presider's chair, which is located in the Epistle side of the sanctuary, is a reproduction of the sedia gestatoria of Pope Pius VII. It is flanked by two small chairs patterned after a faldstool and is reserved for concelebrating priests and deacons. Both chairs are upholstered in blue velvet, a Marian color. A missal stand patterned after the one being used by Pope Francis completes the set, engraved with "Chi Rho", the first letters of Christ in Greek alphabet.

 

Tabernacle

 

    At the heart of the entire ensemble is the Sagrario or tabernacle with a crucifix surmounting it. The door of the tabernacle features two angels in kneeling position, adoring the Blessed Sacrament. The top part is a dome-like structure, with the four evangelists in each corner. An icon of the Lamb of God is seen right above the door of the tabernacle, holding a banner and seated in a book with seven seals. Below this is an image of a snake and two tablets of the Ten Commandments. These symbolize the Redeemer of the Old and New Testament. A Latin inscription "Adoremus in Aeternum Santissimum Sacramentum" (Let us forever worship the Blessed Sacrament) is found at the bottom of the tabernacle. The sides are engraved with scenes of the Nativity and Calvary.