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 Beatitudes 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.
 
The Beatitudes occur at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. For this window, the beginning of a Beatitude is found in the left lancet, while the end of the Beatitude is found in the corresponding right lancet.
 
Starting at the top.
 
The left lancet pictures a hand with two fingers pointing down, a blessing pose, while the right lancet pictures an open hand pointing down, a pose of giving.
 
BLESSED are the poor in Spirit: This is pictured with a pine tree as it can flourish in poor soil.
FOR theirs is the kingdom of heaven: This is pictured with the Greek letters  IHS which are the first three  of their word for "Jesus," and a crown. This symbolizes the Crown of Life that Jesus is promising what awaits them in heaven.
 
BLESSED are the meek: This is pictured here with a lily of the valley, a symbol of humility as its flowers droop downwards.
FOR they shall inherit the earth. The earth is pictured here with a green earth, water, and flowers. St. Augustine in his Commentary of the Sermon of the Mount," opined, the meek "By inheritance shall possess the earth from which they cannot be driven out."
 
BLESSED are they who mourn: This is pictured by a scourge. Aside from its use in torturing, it refers to penance that is self-inflicted, usually by a Saint.
FOR they shall be comforted: Pictured is the seat of judgement with a cross (Christ) sitting on it. "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation." 2 Corinthians 7:10
 
BLESSED are they that hunger and thirst: This picture illustrates the start of Psalm 42, "As the deer pants for streams of water, my soul pants for you, O God."
FOR they shall have their fill: This is pictured with two fish and five loaves of bread. This comes from Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand as found in John 6:11. "Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed, to those who were seated, as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish,"
 
Although the exact date is unknown, this window was in place by 1944.

Height: 11'

Width: 6'

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