Installed in 1931, the high pulpit is one of the most elaborate artistic works in the church. The canopy is composed of polychromed oak. At the top the eagle in its nest represents St. John the Evangelist.
On the top row to the far left (only partially seen) is St. Vincent Ferrer. Next to him is St. Antoninus, who was a Dominican friar and the Archbishop of Florence (1446-1459). Then we have St. Dominic, depicted with a star, a lily in hand, and a book with a cross on it. Tradition has it that the star on his head appeared there at his baptism. The lily refers to his purity. The book denotes Dominic’s wisdom.
On the lower row we have first, counting from left to right, St. Raymond of Penafort, who stands with a key in his right hand. He was a renowned canonist and moral theologian. To the right is St. John of Gorcum, a Dominican martyr, with a rope around his neck and a palm branch in his hand. He and his companions were hanged by Calvinists during the Protestant Reformation. To the right still, in red, is St. Augustine, a Doctor and Father of the Church. He wears the miter of a bishop, and the book and quill represent his writings in philosophy and theology.
On the top row facing us is Pope St. Pius V holding a rosary and staff. The rosary symbolizes his prayers, which helped the Christian naval fleet to victory over the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto. To his right is St. Thomas Aquinas with a sunburst on his chest, symbolizing the great spread of his teachings. The book and quill refer to his writings and the fact that he is a Doctor of the Church.
On the bottom row to the right is St. Hyacinth, who is often called the “Apostle of the North.” A native of Poland, St. Hyacinth was clothed in the habit by St. Dominic himself and was sent to his homeland to preach. He holds a ciborium in one hand and carries a small statue of the Virgin and Christ Child in the other. The tradition behind this symbolism is that when the city where Hyacinth resided was attacked by the Tartars, he quickly rescued the Blessed Sacrament from desecration. But while he was fleeing past a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he heard a voice from the statue say, “Hyacinth, my son, why do you leave me behind? Take me with you and do not leave me to my enemies.” The statue was heavy, but when Hyacinth took it in his hands it became weightless.
On the top row (partially seen) to the right is St. Peter. To the left, with book and sword, is St. Paul. Further left is St. Thomas Aquinas.
On the bottom row from the right is St. Louis Bertrand, who is holding a cup with poison. A Spanish Dominican, Louis was related on his father’s side to St. Vincent Ferrer. He became a missionary and went first to Cartagena, in what is now the country of Colombia. He is known for having converted tens of thousands of the native people. When a Carib Indian tried to poison him, he drank the poison but was unharmed. Eventually, he returned to Spain where he died. To the left, St. Albert the Great is shown wearing the miter of a bishop. He holds a book to indicate his extensive literary corpus. He was the Dominican teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas and is the patron saint of natural scientists.
