The rerdos is 22 feet wide and 38 feet high. It took eleven month to build on site. It is mainly composed of silica and cement and reinforced with steel rods.

In the center of the picture stands a tree, the "TREE OF LIFE" which stood in Paradise, the fruit of which would have perpetuated supernatural life in man. It is, therefore, a type of the Blessed Sacrament, which now nourishes the supernatural life of the soul.

By the sin of man this first plan of God was frustrated, and God's alternative plan for man's salvation went into effect. The trunk of the "Tree of Life" grows out into the "TREE OF THE CROSS", on which the Savior as Priest and Victim immolates Himself to the Father, to merit Atonement and Grace for us. These fruits of Christ's Sacrifice are brought to us through its Unbloody Renewal on the Altar, the Holy Mass, which besides being our Sacrifice also gives us our Supersubstantial Food, Holy Communion, and the Real Presence of the Emmanuel, i. e., God with us.

From this ONE SACRIFICE of the New Testament conies:

I-To the CHURCH SUFFERING; in Purgatory, Relief and Release. (See the lower panels). Angels descend and gently lead forth the souls nearest redemption; but even for those who are detained, the Blood of the Lamb subdues the flames.

II.-To the CHURCH MILITANT on Earth (See two higher panels) comes its Sacrifice (Melchisdech), its Food (Paschal Lamb), and Grace from the Real Presence (Adoration by the Church).

III.-To the CHURCH TRIUMPHANT in Heaven (See the Ring of Eternity) comes Divine Adoration, Infinite Glory, Adequate Thanksgiving, Unspeakable happiness.

1st.-To GOD THE FATHER serenely throning above All in Power and Majesty, Who sent His Son to us and gave Him for us.

2nd.-To GOD THE SON, Who as God-man is bleeding to death, but as the Eternal Son of the Eternal Father receives Infinite Glory.

3rd.-To GOD THE HOLY GHOST, the fire of Whose Love consumed and consummated the Holocaust on the wood of the Cross.

4th.-To the CHOIRS OF ANGELS, shown in their conventional representations in the Ring.

5th.-To the SAINTS OF GOD represented by the Sun, Moon and Stars in God's Heaven.

THE PELICAN (on the Gospel side) rips open its breast to feed its young, a Symbol of the Savior Who feeds us with His own Flesh and Blood.

St. Francis meditates on the mystery of the Cross; St. Clare wards off the enemies with the Blessed Sacrament; the angel holds aloft the Cross of Christ.

THE LAMB (on the Epistle side), slain for us in sacrifice, carries a canister, a basket, use in the early Church to preserve the Blessed Sacrament.

St. Anthony preaches the mystery of the Cross; St. Barbara carries Holy Viaticum; the angel holds aloft the Cross of Christ.

The Savior's Cross is surrounded by a large CROWN OF THORNS.

THE RAINBOW, as in the days of Noe, proclaims and pledges peace and reconciliation between heaven and earth.

There is also a sheaf of wheat and a bunch of grapes, which furnish the elements for Transubstantiation.

The Altar itself blends into one with the Reredos. Its baldachin, a simplified and diminutive replica of the grand Baldachino over the Confession of St. Peter's in Rome, professes our union and communion with the See of Peter, The Mother and Head of all the Churches.

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Building of the chapel