ARCHBISHOP ALEXANDRE VACHON OF OTTAWA WITH THE ARCHITECTS' MODEL OF THE GIANT OUTDOOR ALTAR TO BE ERECTED FOR THE MARIAN CONGRESS AT OTTAWA, JUNE 11-21 NEXT
The structure will be 890 feet long, 155 feet high at the top: and on and around it will be seats for 75,000 worshipers as the many thousands invited to the Congress join in prayers for a lasting peace.
Solemn Ceremonies of Marian Congress Will Centre Around Giant 'Repository'
Marian Congress will centre round Repository. Also are provided and lead to the stands reserved for the Episcopate and other dignitaries.
Giant "Repository" or outdoor altar to be erected in Ottawa's .
The elevated ciborium over the altar serves as a base for the 113-foot high tower made up of pillars in the form of large superimposed "M's" . (for Mary). Within this open tower there la a large crown on which is mounted a cross. As top ornament a 8-foot illuminated globe supports a 20-foot statue of the Blessed Virgin. ' The arcades forming the upper back wall of the repository, on each side of the altar, are made up of a series of arches in which are encased the letters "M" connected at their base. At both ends of the arcades and at the ciborium there are massive square pillars on which stand four angels, 15 feet high 159 feet above the green of the park on which many a football championship match has been played and its illumination are provided for cardinals, archiblshops and bishops.
White and. Blue.
The completed repository will be painted in white and blue, colors ordinarily "associated with the robes of the Blessed -Virgin. With a system of indirect lighting representing thousands of candle power, and loud speakers at strategic points throughout the whole structure, the repository itself will give Lansdowne Park the aspect of an open-air sanctuary where a quarter of a million people are expected to render homage and address praise to God. Might well be visible for many miles. On its main stand, in front and on the grandstand, there will be seating accommodation, for 73,000 people. Those in stand and facing the repository, there will be semi-circular rows for prayer for the restoration of a lasting peace to suffering nations and to Mary, for her Intercession to that end. .... And materials entering into the construction of " the repository will be words "Ad Jesum Per Mary" To Jesus through Mary the theme .of the Marian Congress. . Simplicity and grace will characterize the entire outlay. The repository itself which is to be in modern-style architec turned through proper channels to the building industry. the altar platform, there is a rise of 18 feet with the required sets of easy- cllmbing stairs will cover an area of 919 feet in length by 80 feet deep. The over-all height including steps on each end of the repository's -- 20ffoot statue of the Blessed Virgin,- will be approximately 155 feet. It will contain one main vestry back of the sanctuary and other vestries with an adjoining private chapel underneath the main repository stand - confessionals with entrances -on the ground level will constitute the front base of the repository. On the main stand, both sides of the altar, will be three rows of seats arranged on different levels. 15, 180 and 204 feet long, respectively, the front row to be reserved for cardinals, archbishops and bishops, while the two others will serve for. other dignitaries of the Church, and he diplomats