Font

The baptistry of the Cathedral, situated at the main entrance, speaks of the primacy of baptism, the first sacrament, the beginning of the Christian life.  The font is the original font of the Cathedral, dating from 1907.  The pool was added in 1994.  Its shape is a "footprint" of the Cathedral itself.  The three steps leading down into the font suggest the three days Jesus lay in the tomb.

The inscription around the font is from the first letter of St. Peter in the New Testament.  "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of God who called you out of darkness into marvelous light" (I Peter).  At the threshold of this "house of God, gate of heaven," we are reminded that by baptism we, too, are temples of God - the dwelling-place of the Holy Spirit.