Throughout our website you will find pictures of our Church’s beautiful stained glass window. Below is a series of descriptions which outline their significance.
Jesus the Youth - Portico 3
Center Window
The Holy Spirit in the form of a Dove hovers over Jesus who holds the scrolls of knowledge indicative of His role as Teacher of the world. With “Jesus the Youth” are children representing various times and cultures.
Left Window
The hammer, saw, nails and a square symbolize His carpenter years and the dignity He brought to human labor.
Right Window
The “Lamp of Knowledge,” is symbolic of the temple, where at age twelve Jesus shared His wisdom and understanding with the learned leaders of the people.
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Saint John Neumann Saint Elizabeth Ann Seaton - Portico 4
Center Window
The miter and crozier symbolize Saint John Neumann’s office of Bishop while the host enclosed in a Monstrance commemorates his establishment of the Eucharistic Devotion of the “Forty Hours” in the United States. The outlines of a school and hospital, the chalice and host, the figures of the laborer, the student, and the maimed commemorate the specialized apostolate of Saint Frances Cabrini and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Left Window
The distinctive bonnet identifies the religious community of women – Sisters of Charity, founded by Mother Seton. The heart and cross are from that community’s shield.
Right Window
The cross and the heart are from the shield of the religious community of women – The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, founded by Mother Cabrini. The boat and star recall her journey across the ocean to extend her work and to become a citizen of the United States.
The North American Martyrs - Portico 2
Center Window
The tomahawk, feather headpiece and leaping flames symbolize the martyr deaths of the Jesuit Missionaries Isaac Joques and his companions. The three crosses recall the martyrs’ love for the sign of redemption and their custom of cutting crosses into the trees of the upper New York Indian village – Ossernenon, where they were put to death. The emerging lily represents their saintly convert, the Indian maiden Kateri Tekakwitha – the “Lily of the Mohawks.”
Left Window
This representation of the Blessed Trinity was taught by Isaac and his companions. The hand reaching downward represents the Father, the cross signifies His Son, and the Dove depicts the Holy Spirit.
Right Window
A depiction of a Rosary which was a favorite and often repeated prayer of the martyrs.
All Photos by Dick Albertson