From The Archives Desk

Why is there a special sink in the sacristy?

BY KAREN FOLEY

The ‘sacrarium’ is a special sink that has a drain directly to the ground to ensure the proper disposal of sacred elements. If you have ever been in the sacristy inside a Catholic church, the room set aside for preparing the liturgy, you may have noticed two sinks. One sink looks normal and has a faucet with normal plumbing. Then...in the same room, is a secondary sink. It often has a metal top that covers it and usually does not have a faucet.

This special sink was developed for the proper disposal of sacred elements. It has a drain that goes directly into the ground. In this way the natural elements are returned to the earth in a more dignified manner than if they were drained into a sewer where they would be mingled with sewage. One of the purposes of the sacrarium is to dispose of water that contains within it a dissolved consecrated Host.

Typically when a consecrated Host falls on the ground, it is consumed, though sometimes it is saved in the sacristy and put in a dish of water, and once the host has dissolved enough, the water is poured down the sacrarium.

Source: Philip Kosloski

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St. Mary Baptismal Font

BY GIGI JOHNSON

The Saint Mary Basilica Baptismal Font is an eight-sided structure made of Carrara marble. It was donated in 1930 by Msgr. John M. Prendergast, Natchez’s first native-born priest. He graciously donated this in memory of his parents.

The baptismal font in now located in the Blessed Mother altar area, but it was not always there. The Saint Mary Baptistery was originally in the small room adjacent to Saint Therese Hall at the basement elevator area. The font was moved to the sanctuary after Vatican ll (1962-1965). The original gate of the baptistery along with its dedication plaque now hangs on a wall in the Bishops Garden behind the Rectory.

Baptisms are currently being done in the Oratory of St. Joseph (the chapel) in Seton Hall on the Cathedral School campus while the church is closed for repairs and restoration.

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St. Mary’s Bell Tower Clock

BY ANNETTE BURNS

The clock in the bell tower has been located at St. Mary’s since 1881. Patrick H. McGraw, native of County Down, Ireland, left $1,000 to the City of Natchez to erect a clock in the bell tower of St. Mary’s Cathedral. The City of Natchez accepted the bequest and added around $400 to put the clock into position in June 1881. “Ever since it tells the wayfarer the hour of the day and night and gently reminds of the thoughtful donor.” The City of Natchez kept the clock in good working order from June 1881 until 1959.

In June 1959 Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Fullam requested the clock be electrified. The Mayor, Troy B. Watkins, The City of Natchez, and The Board of Alderman signed a resolution stating it is in best interest of the City of Natchez to dispose of said old clock and thereby avoid any further liability for maintenance and operation. The resolution was signed on June 9, 1959. It also resolved and ordered that the aforesaid clock be given to St. Mary Cathedral upon the condition that said Cathedral will electrify the same and henceforth be solely responsible for its maintenance and operation.

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Fullam corresponded with the I.T. Verdin Co. to electrify the clock. The president of the company stated they would attempt to have the clock ready and back in operation by the end of October 1959.

The clock is still located in St. Mary’s bell tower. In July 2021, the striker was repaired; and with the help of the Cathedral football coach and players, it was carried up the tower. Three times during the day when the clock strikes 6:00 AM, Noon, & 6:00 PM, the bell rings for the Angelus.

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St. Mary’s Cathedral Narrowly Escapes Destruction by Fire

SUBMITTED BY MICHAEL MURPHY

Narrowly Escapes Destruction by Fire – Heroic Work of Some of Our Young Men–Damage About $200.

St. Mary's Cathedral, one of the largest, handsomest and most imposing church edifices in the city of Natchez, had a very narrow escape from destruction by fire yesterday morning, between twelve and one o'clock, and had it not been for the timely discovery of the flames by Police Officer Stevens that beautiful structure might now be lying in ruins. … Read more

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From The Archives

BY JACK AUBIC

The main focal point as someone enters St. Mary Basilica is the painting behind the main altar, “The Crucifixion.” This painting has had four versions since 1882.

The original painting was commissioned in 1882 by Bishop Janssens to have artist A. Biorci paint an adaptation of Guido Reni’s classical painting “The Crucifixion. “ This picture was painted within a frame on the back wall behind the main altar. This original painting included four other figures, besides Mary, standing at the foot of the cross. The painting below on left is the 1880’s original. (Cradle Days - back section - p. 10)

In 1888, Bishop Janssens signed a contract with E. Humbrecht of Cincinnati to fresco the whole interior, put on other painting behind altar, fresco all three altars, the reredos, confessionals, and pulpit for $2400.00. (Cradle Days - back section - p.17)

In 1931, Bishop R. O. Gerow began another renovation of the church. The Crucifixion picture, which had been painted on the plastered wall, had in the course of time chipped or peeled so badly that it could not be properly restored. An imposing portrait of Christ with his Sorrowful Mother dominated the sanctuary—an adaptation of Guido Reni’s classical painting. The added figures in Reni’s painting and in the Cathedral original had been painted out to emphasize Our Lady of Sorrows, the Cathedral’s patron. (P. 583 of St Mary’s of Natchez, Vol. 2)

In 1957. Msgr. Thomas Fullam, pastor at St. Mary, began another renovation of the church. Both interior and exterior were repainted and all statuary was redone. Italian artist Navino Nataloni supervised the interior painting. The present painting of “The Crucifixion “over the main altar is signed by Navino Nataloni and is dated 1957. It is painted on canvas and glued to the wall.

St. Mary Basilica Archives Committee is in need of a picture of the interior of the church which has the picture in it from 1931 to 1956. If anyone can help, please contact the church office.

(Left) 1880s original painting over main altar in St. Mary. (Right) Current painting over main altar in St. Mary.

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From The Archives

BY MARY EIDT

The restoration of St. Mary Basilica after the damage of the ice storm in February 2021 is underway. This is the latest challenge for the church in Natchez.

The first challenge occurred when Winthrop Sargeant, governor the Natchez Territory, raised the ques- tion of seizing the Catholic Church (San Salvador del Mundo) and converting it into a courthouse based on puritanical ideas about amusements on Sunday. He restrained because he realized it might hurt the feelings of Catholics and offend the king of Spain. … Read more

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Corbel Heads in St. Mary Basilica

BY ST. MARY BASILICA ARCHIVES COMMITTEE

Corbels originally carved from stone were intended to support an architectural element. In St Mary, however, they are plaster and strictly decorative. They are part of the ornamental plaster works installed in 1858-1859 during the completion of the interior … Read more