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A Guide Around Our Church



Welcome to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.

Churches are essentially places where people can gather safely to worship God as His people. 'Church' means assembley though it refers specifically to Christians united in one faith. It is the people who make up the Church, so the building where they gather is also called a church.

From this understanding we can work out what are the most important things in a Church.

For the faithful to worship God they need:

Someone to lead them - hence the Presidential Chair.
Somewhere for God to speak to them - hence the Lectern.
Somewhere to celebrate the Eucharist - hence the Altar.
Somehow to join the community of the faithful - hence the Baptismal Font.

You will note that the first three of these is in a special place we call a
Sanctuary or Holy Space.

     

The Font, since it is the means by which one starts ones Christian life, is often at the back and sometimes in a separate building outside the church. However as baptism is essentially linked to the other sacraments of the Church, a font may be placed in the sanctuary either permanently or just for the Service of Baptism. We have both in our church, the original permanent font in a chapel at the North West corner for single baptisms, but also a moveable font on the sanctuary for performing several baptisms.

As we come into church there are two Holy Water Fonts where we can take Holy Water as a sign that we have been baptised and therefore, though all are welcome, we as members of the Church have a right to be in this place.



The Sanctuary is the place set aside for those serving in specific ministeries:

     •   Priest - is the Mass celebrant
     •   Additional Priest - Concelebrates Mass with the main celebrant
     •   Deacon - Assists the Priest at Mass
     •   Acolytes (Altar Servers)
     •   Lectors (Readers)
     •   Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist (Lay Ministers)
It it from here that they lead the Liturgical Celebrations.



The Crucifix in which we see the open arms of our Saviour welcoming and receiving us into His Presence.
The crucifix is required by the Church to be visible during the celebration of Mass.

This is to remind us of the sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus on the altar of the cross, which is made present for us each time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist.
Although Our Lord is Risen, we need to remind ourselves what he had to endure during his Passion and Death on a cross, before the Resurrection could take place.

The figure of the Jesus suffering on the crucifix is a powerful act of sacrifice by Jesus' as he atones for our sins and the sins of the world. It gives reconciliation in the relationship between God and humanity which makes it possbile for us to enter into heaven.







The Presidential Chair where the main celebrant at any Mass or Service sits to gather the faithful in worship. NB in a Cathedral there is also a Cathedra which is reserved for the Bishop. Hence his church is called a Cathedral.

The Lectern is the reading desk where we celebrate the Liturgy of the Word. We proclaim and explain passages from the Bible. Here the Lord feeds us with his word. In our church we have two identical Ambos. (Ambos means 'both'). The one on the North Side is used as a lectern. The one on the South Side is used by the celebrant, though strictly this should be at his chair.

The Altar is where we celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is both an altar of sacrifice and a table showing the two different aspects of the Eucharist:

     1.   Offering to God
     2.   Feeding us with Holy Communion.


Sacred Vessels/Objects.


Ciborium; The vessel we use to hold the 'Hosts' (Body
of Christ), which is to be used during the Mass for Holy
Communion.

We also use the Ciborium to reserve the Blessed
Sacrament (Body of Christ) in the Tabernacle.




Chalice; The large cup which is used during the Mass by
the Celebrant when he Consecrates the wine into the
'Blood of Christ'.







Paten; A round metal plate used to hold the host (bread)
during the Mass which the celebreat concecrates into the
'Body of Christ.'





Corporal; This is a white linen cloth which is placed on
the Altar. The sacred vessels are placed upon it containing
the bread & wine which will become the Body & Blood of
Christ.






Purificator; A small rectangular white cloth. This is used to
wipe the Chalice during Holy Communion.

It is also used to clean & purify the Chalice, Paten &
Ciborium after the distribution of Holy Communion.





Cruets; These are the containers we use to hold the wine
and the water that is to be used during the Mass.







Lavabo Bowl & Towel; The Lavabo Bowl is used in conjuction
with the Finger Towel by the Priest to symbolically wash his
hands before beginning the Consecration.







Pall; A white, square & stiff cover that is used to cover the Paten when it is on the Chalice. And also during Mass to cover the Chalice containing the Wine and then, after Consecration, when it contains the Blood of Christ.






Thurible & Boat; During solemn occasions, such as the Mass, the Thurible (Censor) is used to incense the Altar, The Gospel, The Bread & Wine (after the offertory), The Priest, The Congregation and the Eucharist. The Boat contains the incense that is to be placed into the Thurible. The fragrant smoke is a symbolic rising of our prayers to Heaven and purifying what it touches.



Aspersorium; This metal bucket is used to hold the Holy Water which is used during Liturgical Celebrations.







Aspergillum; A liturgical instrument that is used to sprinkle
the Holy Water that is usually contained in the Aspersorium.







Credence Table; A table on the Altar on which the Servers
place the vessels that will be used during the Mass.







Ablutions Bowl; This is a bowl which contains water, sometimes mixed with a little antiseptic liquid, to clean and purify the hands of the Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion before and after the distribution of Holy Communion during the Mass.






Windows, Statues and other parts in Our Church


The Tabernacle; This is where we reserve Communion under the appearance of bread. This has been consecrated at Mass, but put aside for use outside at other times. The Tabernacle was originally made so that Communion could be taken to the sick or housebound. However, since it is the Real Presence of Christ it has also become a focus of veneration.

Strictly, the Tabernacle (tent from the time when the Israelites erected a moveble holy place in their dersert wandering) was in a side chapel or sacristy as it is in larger churches such as a cathedral. In older churches you may find one in an ambry or cupboard in a side wall of the sanctuary. In smaller churches it eventually was placed in the middle of the apse.

From this has arisen a problem that now people are not quite sure whether to treat the church as an oratory for prayer before the Blessed Sacrament or a church where people gather to celebrate the Liturgy. i.e should we be quiet in church or chat as we greet each other?

We are blessed that our church is able to stay open for prayer most days. You will probably see on the altar a Monstrance. This is a way of putting on display or demonstrating Jesus in The Blessed Sacrament which would otherwise be reserved in the Tabernacle.



The Confessionals. These are used for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance, Confession, Forgiveness). Our Confessionals are double or twin from the times when there were many queuing up to receive the sacrament. The priest would sit in the middle and open each side one at a time. Nowadays this Sacrament is quite often celebrated in the open especially when there are children.



The Lady Chapel at the South East corner is a chapel dedicated to the Mother of God. It is also in our church, a place where mothers can go during Services with their children if they are a bit noisy.




St. Francis Chapel at the North East corner reminds us that this church was originally a Friary built by the Franciscans in 1866 and served by them until 2000 AD.

Now the parish is served by the Vincentian Community (Congregation of the Mission).



The Statues. Since the church is a family, we like to remember past members who have done well, who have set us an example and since they are with the Lord, can intercede on our behalf. Most people carry a picture of someone they love or have a picture of a past member of their family put up in their homes. Many people talk to their deceased relatives and even ask them for help.


Saint Francis
Saint Patrick
Saint Anthony
Saint Joseph



Sacred Heart
 
Saint Vincent
de Paul, C.M.
Saint Louise
de Marrillac, D.C.
Saint Catherine
Labouré, D.C.


Stations of the Cross. There are 14 representations of the last journey of Jesus to his death. We walk around the church meditating on His sufferings for our sins.


Jesus Is
Condemned To
Death
Jesus Is Made To
Carry His Cross
AA
Jesus Falls The
First Time
AA
Jesus Meets His
Sorrowful Mother
AA


Simon Of Cyrene
Helps Jesus Carry
His Cross
Veronica Wipes
The Face Of Jesus
AA
Jesus Falls For
The Second Time
AA
The Women Of
Jerusalem Weep
Over Jesus


Jesus Falls For
The Third Time
AA
Jesus Is Stripped
Of His Garments
AA
Jesus Is Nail To
The Cross
AA
Jesus Is Raised
On The Cross And
Dies


Jesus Is Taken Down
And Placed Into The
Arms Of His Mother
Jesus Is Laid In
The Sepulcher
AA


The Windows:

East Rose Window (above Sanctuary)
The East Rose window depicts the Apostles and Evangelists.





Saint
Andrew
Saint
Barnabas
Saint
Bartholmew
Saint James
the Great


Saint James
the Less
Saint
John
Saint
Luke
Saint
Mark


Saint
Matthew
Saint
Matthias
Saint
Paul
Saint
Peter


Saint
Philip
Saint
Simon
Saint
Thaddeus
Saint
Thomas


West Rose Window (above Choir)
The West Rose window depicts aspects of the life of Our Lady and the
instruments of The Passion.





Our Lady of
Seven Sorrows
AA


Jesus is laid
in the Tomb
AA
The Death of
Jesus
AA
Saint Francis's
Stigmata
AA
Jesus's Body is
taken down
AA


Jesus meets
his Mother
AA
Jesus is lost in
the temple
AA
Flight into Egypt
AA
AA
Presentation
AA
AA


Tomb
AA
AA
Shroud
AA
AA
Notice 'INRI'
AA
AA
Vinegar, Ladder
and Spices
AA


Empty cross
AA
AA
Spear & Heart
AA
AA
Garment
AA
AA
Dice
AA
AA


Nails
AA
AA
Hammer & Pliers
AA
AA
Veil
AA
AA
Crown of Thorns
AA
AA


Sceptres & Reeds
AA
AA
Scourges
AA
AA
Pillars
AA
AA
Chalice
AA
AA


St. Francis Chapel Window
The Window behind and above St. Francis Chapel depicts aspects of
Franciscan life.





Crossed arms of St. Francis and Our Lord.
Cross of Lorraine.
(the symbol of St. Lawrence of Brindisi - Patron Saint of the Province).


Franciscan Motto:
'Deus meus et Omnia'
which means "My God and my All."


A representation of the Most Holy Eucharist


Symbol of St. Lawrence of Brindisi.
He was a Preacher and is holing the cross.


A symbol representing Our Blessed Lady


A symbol representing St. Francis


The Lady Chapel Window
The Window in The Lady Chapel depicts some symbols of Our Lady.





Our Lady of Sorrows Memorial Chapel.
The Memorial Chapel is located next to the Baptistry. It contains the Pieta; our blessed mother, the Virgin Mary mourning over the dead body of her son, our Lord Jesus Christ after his Crucifixion.

It is a fitting and symbolic figure, located in the Memorial Chapel where the names of the families who also mourn deceased loved ones taken away from them during previous world conflicts.

Families contributed finances to the marble tablets and the funds were used to help in the modernising of the church. They display the names of Capuchin Friars born in this area of London; Former Guardians of Peckham; Priests and Brothers who worked for many years in this parish; Marist Brothers and Sisters and lay teachers who taught in our school; and the Family Names of deceased members of the Parish.

The inscription located around and just below the ceiling of the Memorial Chapel reads:

~~~ MOTHER OF SORROWS ~~~

✟ ETERNAL REST GIVE TO THEM O LORD ✟

✟ AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM ✟

✟ MAY THEY REST IN PEACE ✟

✟ MAY THE ANGELS LEAD THEM INTO PARADISE ✟

✟ MAY THE MARTYRS AWAIT THEIR COMING ✟

✟ AND BRING THEM INTO THE HOLY CITY ✟

✟ AMEN ✟




The Pieta
Former Guardians of Peckham




















Listed Building
This church, which is a grade 2 listed building, is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, sometimes called Our Lady of Seven Dolours, in honour of the sufferings she underwent patiently in support of her Son's work for the salvation of the World.

We try to follow her example

We hope you receive benefit from the grace of God issuing from his parish and this holy place.


Ceop
© Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church 2018
A parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark.
CIO Registered Incorporated Charity Number 1173050.