Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel

Studio Name: Emil Frei Associates, Inc.

City: Livonia

Window Shape: 5 (gothic arched, 2 vertical sections)

Subject/Title of Window: The Eucharist Part 1

Brief Description of Subject: This two lancet aisle window is located on the gospel side of the Felician Sisters Chapel. All aisle windows and transept windows have the same basic pattern, two lancet windows, the top symbol in each lancet sets the topic for that lancet, and the four symbols below are each encased in a geometrical shape surrounded by grisaille glass. The border and filler color used, like the geometric shape, is unique to the section of the Chapel they are located in --- the Felician Sisters Chapel uses a circle shape and the color of blue.
 
Left lancet top to bottom.
 
Unidentified: Stalks of wheat (body of Christ), a cross (Christ) in a triangle (Trinity), and what appears to be four streams of water? (Divine Grace). As the top usually sets the stage for the symbols below, it must represent the Eucharist.
 
Manna: Bread from heaven given to sustain the Hebrews as Moses led them in their exodus from Egypt. This is an Old Testament type for the Eucharist (Body of Christ) as Jesus told his Apostles, "It is not Moses who has given you bread from heaven, but it is my Father ... For the bread of God is he (Christ) who comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world." (John 6:32 - 33)
 
Fish and Loaves of Bread: This symbol for the Eucharist is based on the miracle of Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (John 6: 1 -14) where Jesus turns a small number of fish and bread into enough food to feed them. Jesus will later comment on this miracle to the Apostles in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry."
 
Censer: It is pictured here turned to the right with smoke pouring out of it. Incense can be burned during Mass to symbolize prayers and offerings rising up to heaven (accepted by God). It is also used to bless objects like the altar or the transubstantiated bread and wine.
 
Gregorian Chant, Ad Te Levavi (To you I lift up). This is the start of the chant that is used for the Introit on the first Sunday of Advent. It is taken from Psalm 25 that begins, "To you, O lord, I have lifted up my soul." These words are also the start of Psalm 122, "To Thee, I lift up my eyes," and are used for the Introit on the Third Sunday of Advent."
 
Right lancet top to bottom.
 
This top is the same as that of the left lancet's top.
 
Stole: A garment worn by a priest or bishop during the administering of the sacraments which includes the Holy Eucharist.
 
Missal: Symbol for the Mass a.k.a. the Celebration of the Eucharist.
 
Shewbread a.k.a. Bread of the Presence: The picture seen here is based on God's instructions for shewbread --- bread offered to God by the priests, as found in Leviticus 24:5 - 6, "Take fine [unleavened] flour and bake 12 loaves of bread ... Set them in two rows, six in each row, on the table of pure gold before the Lord." Thus shewbread is an Old Testament type for the Eucharist.
 
Ciborium: A sacred vessel that contains transubstantiated hosts. It is similar in appearance to a chalice, but has a cover to protect its contents.
 
Although the exact date is unknown, this window was in place by 1944.

Height: 11'

Width: 6'

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