Stained Glass Windows
Church Stained Glass Windows
WINDOWS TO MARY
THE GATE OF HEAVEN
Mary is the gate of heaven, the path that our Lord Jesus used to enter into the world to announce that heaven was open for all who choose to enter.
“How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that ii the gateway to heaven.” Genesis 28:17
A MIRROR WITHOUT SPOT
From her Immaculate Conception through her Assumption into heaven, Mary’s life is a living illustration that the Lord cares for His own in the world. In her we can see the power of God acting, the Spirit moving. Indeed, she is for us a mirror, a reflection of how God will in turn care for each one of us.
“For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God and the image of His goodness.” The Book of Wisdom 7:26
THE TOWER OF DAVID
Mary stands out among the followers of Jesus like a tower of ivory: strong, pure and inviolate (Song of Songs 7:5). She is the glory of the house of David, “…like David’s tower, girt with battlements” (Song of Songs 4:4), for through her God has brought redemption into the world.
You were given to us as a tower and sure salvation, O maiden. For this we no longer fear adversity, we who devoutly glorify you. – 8th Century
A ROD OF AARON
The staff is symbolic of Gods’ protection of His people. Legend has it Joseph’s staff flowered as a sign that he was to be Mary’s husband. In the flowering of a lifeless rod (see Numbers 17:23) Mary’s own flowering is foretold. The five flowers on the staff stand for the five letters in Maria
You are Aaron’s staff which brought forth fruit unplanted and unwatered. -5th Century.
THE VESSEL OF HONOR
Vessel of riches, through means of which the treasure of the Father was sent on earth to rich and poor. 6th Century
Through her fiat, Mary became the vessel through which Christ came and dwelt among us. Contained within her for nine months was the greatest gift ever given to this world, God’s only Son.
Your are the vessel of pure gold in which was kept the Manna, the Bread from Heaven who is given to all the world.
THE MARIAN MONOGRAM
The most common symbol for Mary is the simple monogram made by combining the first initials of Maria Regina, “Mary, Queen of Heaven”. The image traditionally includes a scepter, along with a crown and stars, as signs of her heavenly queenship.
Hail Holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria Hail Queen of mercy and of love, O Maria Triumph all ye Cherubim, Sign with us ye Seraphim, Heaven and earth resound the hymn: Salve, Salve, Salve Regina!
THE FLEUR-DE-LIS
The fleur-de-lis, a variety of the lily, is the emblem of royalty. It was chosen by King Clovis as an emblem of his purification through baptism, and this flower has since become the emblem of the kings of France. As an attribute of the Virgin Mary, the fleur-de-lis is a symbol both of her purity and her Queenship.
O Queen of heaven be joyful, alleluia: Because He whom so meetly thou barest, alleluia, Hath arisen, as He promised, alleluia: Pray for us to the Father, alleluia. -14th Century
THE MYSTICAL ROSE
The mystical rose as a symbol of Mary dates from the Middle Ages and refers to her faithfulness and her fidelity. A red rose is a symbol of martyrdom while the five stylized petals reflect the five Joyous mysteries, the five wounds of Our Lord, and also the five letters in her name: Maria.
There is no rose of such virtue As is the rose that bare Jesu, alleluia For in that rose contained was heaven and earth in little space. Res Miranda – 15th Century
THE QUEEN OF THE CLERGY
Mary, as mother to us all, must hold a special place in her heart for all who have consecrated their lives to serve her church. Her litany proclaims her to be:
Queen of Patriarchs Queen of prophets
Queen of apostles Queen of martyrs
Queen of confessors Queen of clergy
Pray for us
A SEALED BOOK
Mary, sealed in her virginity, had the Word of God written on her pages and, once written, it grew and took on a life all its own, until, to the glory and wonder of all creation, the Word became flesh and ensured our salvation.
The Archangel, beholding you, O Chaste one, like a living book , sealed by the Spirit, exclaimed, addressing you: Hail, shelter of that joy which resolved the curse of the first mother. -9th Century
THE ROSE WITH OUT THORNS
St. Ambrose once related a legend which told how the rose came to have thorns. Before it grew in the world, the rose was a flower in Paradise. While in Paradise it had no thorns at all but after the Fall, thorns grew as a sign of the effects of sin in the world. And yet, the beauty and the smell of the rose remained unchanged to remind us of the splendor of Paradise which we all hope to regain in the end once more. The image of Mary as a rose without thorns is a direct reference to our belief in her Immaculate Conception.
There is no rose of such virture as is the rose that Jesu. Alleluia 15th Century.
QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
The Rosary is one of the most powerful mediations on the mysteries of our faith. Through prayers to Mary, we immerse ourselves in the life of her son.
O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us a reward of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech thee, that meditating on these mysteries of the most holy rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise.
Amen
THE OLIVE BRANCH
The olive branch is a symbol of God’s peace with us. When the dove returned to the ark with a sign that the waters had receded, he brought an olive leaf. Many of the paintings depicting the Annunciation show the Archangel Gabriel carrying an olive branch as a sign of the Lord’s peace for Mary. In her acceptance of God’s peace and her willingness to do the Lord;s will, the Prince of Peace was born.
THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
On November 27, 1910, Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laborne in the form of a picture. When the picture was turned around, St. Catherine saw a capital M with a cross above it and two hearts below. Catherine then heard a voice telling her to have medal struck with these image and all who wore this medal with great devotion would receive great graces by the intercession of the Mother of God.
THE SUN AND THE MOON
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet… Revelation 12:1
Mary is the woman who has been clothed in her son’s glory until she too shines like the sun. And at her feet lies the moon which reflects, as she does, the light of the heavens. But the light is not reflected fully, for Mary has added her own love and tenderness so that we might not be blinded with majesty.
STRAWBERRIES
The strawberry is a symbol of perfect righteousness, a sign of a life lead in full agreement with God’s call. We all strive to live such a life and so we keep before us the Virgin Mary as a model of one who’s entire life was one of perfect righteousness. For in her we see all the fruits of the Spirit: benevolence, kindness, generosity and compassion.
Rejoice, O highly favored daughter! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. Luke 1:28
THE ENCLOSED GARDEN
You are an enclosed garden, my sister, my bride, an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed. Song of Songs 4:12
Symbolic of the Immaculate Conception, the image of Mary as an enclosed garden illustrates that she was set apart from sin and raised in the fertile soil of God’s special love.
Blessed Spouse of God, fertile earth from which has sprouted with out seed the ear of salvation of the world. 10th Century
HOUSE OF GOLD
For nine months the greatest treasure the world has ever known was carried in the womb of the Blessed Virgin. Her body was like a treasure house, a house of gold, wherein the King of Kings had placed His greatest treasure.
The most pure temple of the Lord
The precious palace, the Virgin,
The holy treasure house of God’s glory.
STAR OF THE SEA
“Stella Maris” or Star of the Sea, as a little for the Blessed Vergin, can be traced to St. Jerome in the 4th Century But throughout the centuries, for all who looked to her, Mary was and is the unchanging star who guides us safely through the stormy and unchareted oceans of this world.
If the winds of temptation blow up, if you are running over the mountainous swells of tribulation, look up to this star, call on Mary! In dangers, in trails, in matters of doubt, think of Mary, call on Mary. It is not in vain that Mary is our Star of the Sea…. St. Bernard of Clairvaux
THE ROOT OF JESSE
The prophet said: “he will come forth from a branch of the stem of Jesse and a flower will sprout from it’s roots” The branch was Mary, tender, sincere and virgin who bore Christ like a flower through the integrity of her body.
Maximus, Bishop of Turin - 4th Centruy
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
The ark is a symbol of the presence of Yahweh among His people. Mary, in her openness to God, created in her womb a second sanctuary whereby Our Lord came and dwelt among us. The presence of Jesus in her womb parallels the presence of Yahweh in the ark, birth with a major difference. The ark was so charged with God’s presence that none could touch it and live but through Mary the power of God has become for us as touchable as a newborn babe.
And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. Exodus 25:8
THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATERS
Mary is a fountain of God’s love, a wellspring whose waters have touched the entire world. Through her, the waters of everlasting live have come into the world to satisfy all those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. “And anyone who drinks the water that I shall give will never be thirsty again.” (John 4:14)
For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light. Psalm 36:10
A LILY
The lily is a symbol of purity and chastity. It has been used since the early years of the Church as one of the flowers of the Blessed Virgin. In particular, the lily is a symbol of that Annunciation when Mary, both pure and chaste, responded totally to the Lord’s call with an open and willing heart.
As a lily among thorns so is my beloved among women.
Song of Songs 2:2
