Symbols
The symbols for a Franciscan mass vary from the traditional Mass. Candles positioned at the mass are significantly different to those at a traditional Catholic Mass. The candles situated at the Franciscan Mass were surrounded with symbols such as the Mt Alvernia College emblem which features both Jesus and St Francis hand crossed over each other with the stigmata, it also feature wattles at the bottom of the candles. Wattles signify nature, as St Francis is the patron Saint of Ecology. One important difference between the Franciscan Mass and a normal catholic Mass is that Father Steven did not wear the vestment he wore the Franciscan habit. This is significant because Franciscans are meant to be servants to the poor, therefore Father Steven wore very plain clothes, the clothes he wears every day. The Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception made the tablecloth for the Eucharist in Assisi this is of special importance as St Francis came from Assisi, the vassals also travelled from Assisi. The plants that were located throughout the hall relate back to St Francis being an environmentalist and that helps with our Franciscan grounding, it keeps reminding us what Franciscans are and what they do.