Parishioners embroidered these symbols of the four Gospel writers. These four symbols are taken from Ezekiel chapter 1 and Revelation 4:6-10; God's throne is borne by four creatures.

Saint Matthew is symbolized by the face of a man, because his Gospel begins with the genealogy of the human ancestors of Christ. In the Book of Revelation, the living creature that looked like a man represents intelligence, i.e, the gift of intelligence that God has given to us.

Saint Mark is symbolized as a lion, because early in his Gospel he speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord!" In Revelation, the lion represents nobility; when we accept the salvation offered to us by Christ, we become sons and daughters -- princes and princesses -- of the Most High King.

Saint Luke is symbolized as an ox, the sacrificial animal of the Old Covenant, because his Gospel begins with the sacrifice offered by Zechariah. In Revelation, the ox represents strength; we are to share the Good News with the strength of conviction.

Saint John is symbolized as an eagle, because his Gospel is more esoteric; he soars into the mystery of the incarnation of Christ and contemplates it so profoundly that he seems like an eagle flying toward the sun. In Revelation, the eagle represents swiftness; when we are united to Christ, God comes swiftly to our aid.