St. John Baptist de la Salle Church 16555 Chatsworth StreetGranada Hills, California

Brad BlackwellAnthropology of Magic, Religion, and Witchcraft

Dr. Leanna Wolfe1/22/2017

“Our Lady of Grace” Virgin Mary statueoutside the church

There are several holy water “fonts” or “stoups” by the entrance doors inside the “narthex” (lobby).

Holy water is water that’s been blessed.

When entering the church, members will dip thefingers of their right hand into the holy water, and then make the sign of the cross (Latin: signum crucis)by touching their forehead, then the center of their chest, followed by the front of the left shoulder, and finally the front of the right shoulder.

While performing this ritual, they may recite the words “In the name of the Father, and (of) the Son, and (of) the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Some may recite it in Latin: “In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.”

They believe this act cleanses them of “venial”(lesser) sin, and protects them from evil.

Also within the narthex (lobby) is a portrait of Pope Francis, the 266th and current Bishop of Rome – the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

On the right is one of two literature racks holding various pamphlets, such as “How to Pray the Rosary.”

A sign asks that those who take a brochure make a small donation in the offering receptacle: the metal pole, between the portrait and the rack, with a small slot at the top for inserting coins and folded banknotes.

In the foreground are “pews” in the “nave” of the church, where members sit, stand, and kneel during most of the service. In the background is the “sanctuary” or “chancel,” which contains the altar. To the left and right are the West and East “transepts,” which give this

structure the shape of a cross.

These “pews” are wooden benches, fixed to the floor, that provide a place for church members to sit during the service. At times, members also stand. And at other times, they kneel on the retractable padded “kneelers” (or “kneeler rails”) for prayer.

The backs of the pews contain a book rack to hold “hymnals,” books containing religious songs that the members sing together during the church service.

On the East wall of the nave is a “side chapel” with a statue of the Virgin Mary and a prayer kneeler.

In the foreground are pews, facing the church alter in the chancel or sanctuary.

Along the wall are mosaics depicting the story of the crucifixion of Jesus.

Above the mosaics are stained glass windows.

In the chancel of the church is the pulpit (foreground) from where the priest or other clergy member delivers the sermon.

In the background is the altar, and behind it on the wall is a “crucifix”: an image of Jesus on the cross.

In the far background is the “baptismal font,” a large bowl of holy water used for an important ritual called “baptism.”

According to the Bible, baptism is necessary for “salvation” - saving one’s soul - in the afterlife.(See John 3:5 and Mark 16:16)

In the West and East transepts of the church there are chairs facing inward toward the pulpit and altar in the sanctuary.

These particular chairs are reserved for those involved in performing another important ritual called “Eucharist.”

During this ritual, church members “receive the Eucharist” as they consume a small amount of bread and wine after the bread & wine have been “consecrated” (made/declared sacred) on the altar.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the bread and wine literally transform – “transubstantiation” – into the body and the blood of Christ.

Other Christian denominations teach that Christ is present in this sacrament of Holy Communion, but that the bread and wine remain bread and wine.

There are many stained glass windows around the church. This one, behind the choir - above the narthex and visible on the outside from the front of the church - again depicts the crucifixion (left). The scene on

the right appears to be the resurrection.