Archbishop Diarmiud Martin of Dublin, Ireland celebrates Mass in front of the Capitol building on Saturday. The lectern, altar table and candle holders in the ceremony were designed for the occasion by a Cebun furniture maker. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
For Holy Mass, the altar is not just a table.
It is where a sacred meal is prepared, the “Table of the Lord” which deserves special dignity.
Simplicity was the main guideline in designing the white altar, chairs, candleholders and other pieces used in Friday’s Mass presided by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, Ireland outside the Cebu Provincial Capitol for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.
Painted stark white, with gold and brown accents, the pieces were made by one of Cebu’s foremost export furniture makers, Stonesets International Inc.
All carvings and symbols on the pieces were made from natural Mahogany wood.
“A request from the clergy is a blessing and a calling. There is no place for any form of refusal,” said Evelyn Selma, vice president and managing director of the company. (Her son Vito is another internationally-acclaimed furniture designer.)
The craftsmanship, materials and creativity were provided free of charge.
Carved detail in the altar table, a symbol of the Eucharist. (CDN PHOTO/VANESSA LUCERO)
“We are giving back our best work, design, to the Lord because he has been so good to us for many years,” Evelyn said.
She was one of three designers handpicked by the 51st IEC Secretariat to design three altars for the religious congress.
Selma was contacted by Fr. Mhar Vincent Balili, chairman on the committee on liturgy. She accepted with alacrity.
“It has always been our desire to share what God has given us. We are only stewards of the many blessings we have received,” she said.
Liturgical symbols on the lectern and altar use images from the Mass. On the front of the three-meter long altar is the image of a chalice with ‘IHS’ inscribed on it, and the sacred host.
Stalks of wheat and a vine laded with grapes are carved at the base of the cup, representing the consecration of the Bread and Wine that are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ.
On the lectern are a dove and a cross, symbols of the Holy Spirit.
At the back of the presider’s chair painted in gold is the 51st IEC logo.
Detailed carvings of leaves, and other patterns can be found on the two candelabra on each side of the altar.
“We wanted to maintain the simplicity that Pope Francis wants us to espouse in everything that we do,” Selma said.
Brainstorming for the design began in October last year. Final assembly of all pieces were completed early January this year.
“This is a special event and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our family. The last IEC in the Philippines was 79 years ago and to be part of this now is such an honor. Therefore this request is pro bono and is coming from our humble hearts,” she said.
Selma and her husband have been running Stonesets International Inc., for over 27 years.
They have clients in the Philippines and international markets in Asia, Australia, Canada, Paris, the Middle East, North and South Americas and South Africa.
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