The Processional Canopy

The canopy in its present location in the All Saints Reliquary Chapel

On completion of the Missionary Monstrance, blessed by Pope Pius XI, Father Taylor had £100 left and he decided that he must have a processional canopy as beautiful as the Missionary Monstrance. M. Gerard Dupon of Bruges was selected to undertake the work. He spent close on twelve months to complete the detailed intricacies of the elaborate design. A young Belgan craftsman, Albrecth d'Have from Eeclo, completed the carving of the tulip-wood panels in eight months. As each panel was finished, he walked the six miles to Bruges, carrying it under his arm. Mme. Dupont, the designer's wife, herself an artist of high reput, did the painting.

A group of parishioners preparing to take the Processional Canopy to an procession in the Grotto in 1936

Each of the fretwork panels depicts a different scene. The front panel, with its text, 'Behold the King cometh to three full of meekness', is taken from the New Testament; the left panel symbolises 'All Saints of the Lord'. Here we find Saint Margaret and Saint Patrick, with Scottish and Irish emblems, as well as other saints of the Grotto. The right panel, illustrating the text, 'Angels of the Lord, be ye the Lord', depicts nine choirs of angels accompanying the Blessed Sacrament - a scene borrowed from Chartres Cathedral. The back panel represents a like theme, 'They follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth'. The white lillies underfoot reflect the purity of soul and the doves symbolise its innocence.

 The Processional Canopy being used during the 1930s. Monsignor Fulton Sheen, the famous American peacher, who visited the Grotto on two occasions, is dressed as an assistant deacon in the white dalmatic