Dwelling of the Most High: The Sacred Eloquence of Los Angeles Cathedral

Whenever a visit a place, a see to it that I also visit its Roman Catholic Church. When I had my vacation in Los Angeles this year, I visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. 

Among the modern churches I visited, I find the Los Angeles Cathedral to be the most magnificent. Its facade and altar have distinctive eloquence of their own evocative of something divinely inspired.

Facade of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. 

The altar with the imposing pipe organ.

I was awed by the magnificent tapestries adorning the cathedral which depict the images of saints venerated in the Roman Catholic Church. They are something unique as the saints are portrayed facing the altar. I also share with Fr. James Martin, S.J.'s view on these tapestries with his comment, "That's why I prefer images like those of John Nava, who completed a remarkable series of tapestries for the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, where the models for many of the saints were based on people in the neighborhood."

Magnificent tapestries depicting saints of diverse backgrounds. 

On the right hallway (facing the altar) of the cathedral, you can find an antique retablo which was transferred there from LA's old Cathedral of St. Vibiana. It is elegantly ornate and connects the present cathedral to the old one.

A "retablo" from the old Cathedral of St. Vibiana. 

Along that hallway too, you can find a small area where you can pray to the patroness of the cathedral - The Our Lady of the Angels. The statue is beautifully sculpted, aptly depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of the Angels.

Statue of Our Lady of the Angels

There are also paintings hanging on the walls of the hallway. These paintings are the "Ascension" and a depiction of the history of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Their exquisiteness is captivating.

Exquisite painting of the "Ascension."

A painting depicting the history of Catholicism in Los Angeles, California.

I also find the baptismal font there unique. It is octagonal in shape with the pool in the shape of a cross, and the water is flowing from the apex of four triangles pointing toward the center. The baptismal font is made more meaningful by the tapestry in its background depicting the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist. 

The baptismal font with the tapestry on the "Baptism of Christ" in the background.  

The Los Angeles Cathedral can aptly be called "The Dwelling of the Most High." Its sacred eloquence is a reflection of the finest melding of theology and creativity.