Saints Peter and Paul Church

From left: Madonna delle Grazie, The Annunciation, St. Anne with Mary, the Presentation, and St. Lucy.

Taken from Washington Square Park

Taken from Telegraph Hill

It is a "Christo Pantocrator" (Christ All Powerful) The Greek letters are: "IC" (Jesus); "XC" (Christ), "NK" (Conquers). The open book in Our Lord's hand contains the Latin verse from the Gospel of John: "Ego Sum Via, Veritas, Vita" (I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life--John 14:6) The dome painting was done by Ettore & Giuditta Serbaroli.

The east side altar was designed and built by Elio Benevenuto, and is dedicated to 'Don Bosco's Madonna' "Mary Help of Christians." "Trust Mary, and you will see what miracles are" -Don Bosco

The High Altar is made of Carrrara marble, as well as other fine stones. Facing the altar, Saint Peter is on the left side of our Lord, and Saint Paul is on the right. The altar was designed by Charles Fantoni, and erected in 1926. It weighs 40 tons!

The Altar

In this view, we see the Risen Christ, John the Baptist, and a replica of the original grotto of of "Our Lady of Lourdes" in France.

"La Madonna Addolorata" (The Sorrowful Mother) She is the patroness of Sicily

The replica of Michelangelo's Pieta.

It is 14 feet in diameter. It represents "the Lamb before the throne of God" as described in the Book of Revelation. The twelve angels surrounding the Lamb symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel and the Twelve Apostles.

It is made of marble, and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The little illuminated receptacle below the polychrome marble statue of Our Lord is called an "ambry." This is where the Holy Oils used for anointing are kept.

Here we see St. Therese of the Child Jesus recieving Roses from the Blessed Virgin; St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Mother Cabrini), and St. Rita before the Crucifix.

From right: Mary Domenica Mazzarella, foundress of the Salesian Sisters; Madonna de la Strada; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel; the death of St. Joseph; and Santa Gemma.