A fluid sealing system for a rotary mechanical device including a pillar lantern ring having a bottom and a top end cap with pillars or columns connecting the end caps is formed by additive manufacturing. The bottom annular end cap has an outside face and an opposed inside face defining a height therebetween and the upper annular end cap has an inside face and an opposed outside face defining a height therebetween with a plurality of integrally formed substantially cylindrical axial columns connecting the two opposed inside faces of the two end caps.