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The last time I visited the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist the pews were still there and the altar was in front. I recently visited once again, on St. Blaise Day, with a hundred high school juniors. Besides mass and having our throats blessed we were able to have a little tour and learn more about the cathedral.
The restoration and renovation begun in 2000 was almost as controversial as the archbishop who wanted it done, Rembert Weakland. It was very expensive and the changes drastic but I like the finished product. It's definitely brighter and more colorful than before. Much of the old cathedral was saved and reused and we can see the marble in the altar and bishop's chair, among other things. The first unusual thing people notice is the "wishbone" Jesus is holding on the cross. The Italian artist actually meant it as the representation of a dove in flight.
Several things about the cathedral deserve comment:
Many, many objects are in threes; three steps, three pillars... They represent the Holy Trinity.
There's a relic of St. John Vianney beneath the altar. I spent 6 years of grade school at St. John Vianney and don't remember learning as much about him then as I did in one day at the cathedral.
One of the juniors, Michael, has played the cathedral's four-manual, 74-rank, 3586 pipe, 38 foot tall pipe organ. He was the best guide to have on hand for that stop on our tour.
We toured the chilly crypt beneath the church where four bishops are resting. A time capsule is also there to be opened sometime around 2040.
It was good to see the "mother" church again. I missed her.
