The Nativity

blank

This window shows the birth of Jesus in a stable in the Bethlehem. Over the nativity scene, the quatrefoil windows carry the Chi-Rho, the first two letters in the Greek word, "Christ", and the letters IHS, the first three letters in the name "Jesus" in Greek. The name "Jesus" or "Yeshua" in Hebrew means "the Anointed" or "the Messiah". Together they express the Holy Name of the Lord.

The Ascension

This

The glorified body of Christ is ascended into heaven. Over the Ascension, the quatrefoil windows carry the Alpha and the Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the beginning and the end, expressing the eternity and infinity of God.

The Annunciation

THis

The Angel Gabriel appears to a Virgin and tells her she will be the mother of the Messiah.The angel holds a blooming staff bannered with the words "AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA" -- "Hail Mary full of grace". The Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove. Lillies symbolize her purity and a red rose foretells the Passion. The open window is another traditional symbol of Mary's purity: as light passes through a window pane without changing it, so is she Virgin and Mother. In the quatrefoil windows, we see the Cross and the words Faith, Hope, and Charity, the theological virtues.

The Guardian Angel

bland

"Take Heed that ye despise not one of these little ones, for I say unto you that their angles behold the face of my Father in heaven." (Matt. 18:10) The face of the child in this window is that of Henry Edwards in whose memory the window was donated. In the quatrefoil window, is shown the Menorah, representing God's deliverance of His chosen people, reminds the Church of our Jewish identity, an element of the grace we receive as the Redeemed People of God.

The Baptism of Christ

Blank

Christ stands in the River Jordan and is baptized by John the Baptist, who wears the skin of an animal and carries his standard, the reed cross, bannered with the words "ECCE AGNUS DEI" -- "Behold, the Lamb of God." In the quatrefoil window is shown the pelican, which in Christian tradition is a symbol of Christ, for she is said to feed her young with blood drawn from her own breast.

Saint John Vianney

blank

Saint John Vianney, the Cure d'Ars, is the patron saint of parish priests. The Cure, by his holiness and zeal, converted the entire village of Ars and was known throughout France as a confessor. He is identified in the window as "Blessed", as he was not canonized until 1925. In the quatrefoil window, a golden crown, which in Christian heraldry signifies sanctity.

Saint Joan of Arc

blank

Saint Jeanne d'Arc, patron saint of France, was the maid of Orleans who was guided by the voices of angels and saints to lead the French to victory against the English. Deserted by her supporters, she was tried and burned at the stake for witchcraft. She is identified as "Blessed" in the window because she was not canonized until 1920. In the quatrefoil window, a wreath of laurel is shown. Such a wreath was awarded to conquers in ancient times. In Christian tradition it symbolizes the victory of the soul over death and the conquest of heaven.

Saint George

balnk

Saint George, another popular soldier-martyr of teh East, was martyred at Lydda about the time of Constantine. The story most closely associated with the knights of chivalry, Saint George is the patron saint of England. In the quatrefoil window are the latin words "IN HOC SIGNO VIGNES" -- "By this sign you shall conquer". This is the motto seen by the Emperor Constantine in a vision of the cross. He converted to Christianity and halted the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.

Saint Peter

blank

"Thou art Peter, and on this Rock I will build my Church. I will give unto thee the keys to the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 16:18-19) Peter holds the key and stands before St. Peter's Basilica, the center of Christendom, the sign of the heavenly Jerusalem. In the quatrefoil window, the keys of the kingdom represent the authority of the papcy.

Saint Augustine

ablank

Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, was the fourth century saint and Doctor of the Church whose writings were a major influence in the development of Christian thought. Of particular importance were his insights into the nature of grace. Shown with the staff and mitre of the episcopal office, the saint holds a flaming heart, his standard in Christian heraldry, referring to zeal and burning love for Christ. In the quatrefoil window the pelican is depicted nesting with her young.

Saint Theodore of Amasea

blank

Saint Theodore of Amasea, an early Christian martyr, was a Roman soldier who refused to join his comrades in pagan worship. He burned a temple of the goddess Cybele and was punished by being tortured and thrown into a furnace. Dressed in Roman armor, the saint carries a sword and the palm of martyrdom. The Greek temple can be seen in the background. In the quatrefoil window is depicted the anchor, which is a symbol of hope in the Church. When set down, an anchor gives a ship stability in harbor.

Saint Louis IX

blank

Saint Louis IX, King of France, was a thirteenth century saint who exemplified the ideals of chivalry and Christian sanctity. He assumed the mantle of kingship, but practiced a life of personal penance and piety. Saint Louis built the Chappelle in Paris to house the Crown of Thorns which he carries in this picture. In the quatrefoil window, the crown and the cross are significant of the triumph of Christendom.

Saint Mary Magdalen

blank

Here, Saint Mary Magdalen is shown kneeling in prayer.

Saint John the Evangelist

blank

Saint John is the author of the fourth Gospel.

Saint Mary Magdalen

blank

Here, Saint Mary Magdalen is shown anointing the feet of Christ in the home of Simon the Pharisee.

Saint Mary Magdalen

blank

Here, Saint Mary Magdalen is shown weeping at the foot of the Cross.