St Patrick's Parish, Southport: Parish History

The Altar

As you move forward you come to the sanctuary - the area for the liturgical action. This is comprised of two semi-circular styled platforms, containing, at the centre, the altar - which is the focal point of the church - for it is here that the Sacrifice of the Mass, the Eucharist is celebrated. The altar, like the font, is made of Portuguese limestone, again both polished and honed, with a recessed band containing lines from St. Patrick's Breastplate. You will notice a series of 12 small pillars set in groups of three whether viewed from the sides or the corners. These represent both the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Twelve Apostles, on which Salvation History recorded in both Old and New Testaments was rooted. The Hebrew numerals 1 to 12 which can be seen on the pillars are a simple symbol of this truth, celebrating thousands of years of the worship of God being at the centre of the lives of His people.

Set into the mensa of the altar is a small sepulchre containing the relics of two early martyrs St. Faustus and St. Bosonie. This follows a tradition from the very earliest days of the Church. The first Christians in Rome, persecuted for their faith, used to gather secretly in the burial chambers (catacombs) beneath the city to celebrate the Eucharist. They would gather round the tombs of those who had been martyred for their faith, and as the faith spread the tradition grew of inserting small relics of these early martyrs into the altars of all churches, chapels and cathedrals as a tribute to their brethren's brave courage and steadfast faith in their Lord, who had given his life for them.