The Mosaic

The Apostles Mosaic is one of the most beautiful works of art in St. Joseph's Church.  Set in the center aisle, it lies directly below the dome.  The mosaic was designed by Jim Piercey, and created and installed by artisans from Italy. More than 60,000 pieces of glass comprise the work which measures seven feet in diameter. At the center of the mosaic are the Crown and Scepter, symbols of the Godhead as center of all creation.  The Godhead is surrounded by the traditional symbols of each of the twelve Apostles, the first to hear and spread the Good News. The symbols represent the distinguishing aspect of each Apostle's life. John: When given a poisoned chalice to drink, the youngest apostle made a sign of the cross over it  and Satan, in the form of a serpent, flew from the cup.

James the Greater: This leader of the Jerusalem Church is represented by the scallop shell, a symbol of  both pilgrimage and baptism.

Matthew: The bag of money recalls Matthew's profession as a tax collector before being called by Christ.

Thomas: This apostle who originally doubted Christ's resurrection went on to demonstrate his great faith by building a church in East India.  He is represented by the carpenter's square.

Matthias: This apostle, who replaced Judas Iscariot, is represented by the battle ax and book which symbolize his beheading during his missionary work.

James: The fuller's cub depicts one of the instruments of this apostle's martyrdom.  This apostle was martyred by a stoning and his brains dashed out by this fuller's club before his body was "sawn asunder."

Bartholomew: The bible represents his overwhelming faith in God, while the knife depicts the means of his death.

Jude (Thaddeus): This apostle is remembered for his missionary travels far and wide with fellow apostle Simon, hence the boat.

Simon: The book and fish symbolize this devoted missionary who was a great fisher of men through the power of the Gospel.

Philip: The wheat represents bread, which recalls the remark this apostle made when Jesus fed the multitudes.

Andrew: The cross saltire is the cross upon which Simon Peter's brother died while preaching the Gospel in Greece.

Peter: The crossed keys symbolized Peter's preeminence among the Apostles as commissioned by Christ, "To you I will give the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven."

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