Commentary

            At the conclusion of the Foreword, Fr. Ryan writes that St. Paul’s “is prepared to face religious demands of whatever kind; for it is ‘The Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth’” (page 6).  Here, Fr. Ryan is quoting 1 Timothy 3:15.  This verse from St. Paul’s letter to Timothy appears again later in the booklet (page 10), as it is engraved on the arch above the exterior door to the church.

            Part II of the booklet gives an overview of the interior of St. Paul’s, including the main altar (page 14).  The reader should note that here the booklet refers to the high altar, which is used when Mass is celebrated “ad orientem,” where the priest and congregation face the same direction.  Because of the introduction of the celebration of Mass “versus populum” with the priest facing the congregation post-Vatican II, there is also a table altar present in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s, which was not there at the time this booklet was written.

            In Part IV of the booklet (page 23), Fr. Ryan describes the details of the transept of St. Paul’s.  Like many traditional Catholic churches, St. Paul’s is built in the shape of the cross, with the transept being the parts that form the arms of the cross shape.  The booklet notes that in each part of the transept, there is a smaller, chapel-like side altar.

            In Part XIII of the booklet, Fr. Ryan mentions that the clock “reminds the faithful of the ‘Incarnation’ by sounding the Angelus three times daily” (page 45).  The Angelus is a prayer commemorating the Incarnation of Jesus, which is traditionally recited three times each day at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m.