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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Cathedral of St. Paul

Studio Name: Connick (Charles J.), Ltd.

City: Detroit

Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, more than 2 vertical sections)

Date of Window: 1925

Subject/Title of Window: Te Deum

Brief Description of Subject: "Te Deum Laudamus" (We praise thee, O God) is a 4th Century hymn that can be found in the "Common Book of Prayers." It contains both verses of praise and of beliefs (acknowledgements). The first part is mainly directed to God the Father and the second part to the Son with a small verse to the Holy Ghost, and the last part, of the original version, contains two verses of supplication.

This north transept window, donated by Mrs. Pierson, is made up of a canopy atop 3 rows of 3 lancets.

Written words found on this window will be capitalized in this description.

The canopy depicts a scene in the Revelation --- the risen lamb, in heaven, being praised by angels and four winged creatures. These winged creatures have become symbols for the 4 Gospel writers --- human (S. MATTHEW), lion (S. MARK), ox (S. LUKE), and eagle (S. JOHN).

The scene in the top row of lancets is set in heaven. Across the top are symbols for the Trinity --- right hand (God the Father), XPC (Jesus Christ, the Son), and descending dove (Holy Ghost). The middle lancet depicts the enthroned Christ as King of heaven and earth (globus cruciger). The chalice is a symbol for the blood shed by Christ for our salvation. Christ is flanked by angels --- the large angels are Gabriel (lily plant), Raphael (walking stick), and Michael (shield and lance) and Uriel (holding sun). Below these angels are angels giving praise to the Lord with censers.

The scene in the middle row of lancets is set on earth in the time after the birth of Christ. The middle lancet depicts a standing Christ holding above his head the "Agnus Dei" carrying the victory over death banner. Flanking Christ are the Virgin Mary (monogram for Maria) and John the Evangelist (eagle). The pose of Mary and John on either side of Jesus suggests the crucifixion scene. Below them are angels holding a potted lily plant --- a symbol of the Annunciation where the word was made flesh. In the left lancet are two large figures, the apostles Peter (keys) and James the Greater (pilgrim). James is holding a book that reads "THE SON OF MAN IS NOT COME TO DESTROY BUT TO SAVE" --- Christ's words of rebuke directed at Peter and James for suggesting violence against the Philistines. Beneath them are the Apostle Andrew (saltire cross) and unidentified saints --- a Bishop and two woman. In the right lancet the two large figures are St. Paul (crossed swords) and a saintly bishop holding a book that reads "MY HEART IS FULL OF DESIRE FOR THEE". Below these figures are the mother of Constantine St. Helen (Crown of Thorns), St. Agnes (lamb), St. Cecelia (organella), and St. Francis of Assisi (birds). Across the bottom of the lancets are children holding palm fronds (victory over death). In the middle lancet the children are holding an inscription from the "Te Deum" that acknowledges that Christ's resurrection opened the possibility of attaining heaven for all men, women, and children.

The scene in the bottom row of lancets is set on earth in the time of the Old Testament and highlights prophets and a prophecy. Across the top of the lancets are MOSES LEADER OF ISRAEL (holding tablets of the 10 commandments inscribed in Hebrew), ISAIAH PROPHET OF JUDAH (holding placard that is inscribed with Isaiah 52:9 "BREAK FORTH INTO JOY, SING TOGETHER, YE WASTE PLACES OF JERUSALEM, FOR THE LORD HATH COMFORTED HIS PEOPLE"), and DAVID KING OF JUDAH AND ISRAEL (harp). Across the middle are the figures of MICAH, EZEKIEL (Temple), ZECHARIAH (Temple), and MALACHI. Across the bottom are Abraham, his son ISAAC, Abraham's wife SARAH, Samuel's mother Hannah, SAMUEL, and the High Priest that mentored Samuel, Eli. Beneath Sarah and Hannah is a Nativity scene book ended by Isaiah's prophecy "BEHOLD, A VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE AND BEAR A SON, AND SHALL CALL HIS NAME EMMANUEL" and the fulfillment of that prophecy as stated by Luke "FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID, A SAVIOR, WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD."

The memorial at the bottom features many different crosses --- variation of a Lorraine Cross, Anchor Cross, Chi-Rho Cross (monogram for Jesus), Iota-Chi Cross (monogram for Jesus Christ), Moline Cross, variation of a Potent Cross.

The Hymn "Te Deum" from the "Book of Common Prayer".

WE PRAISE THEE, O GOD: WE ACKNOWLEDGE THEE TO BE THE LORD.
All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting.
TO THEE CHURUBIM AND SERAPHIM: CONTINUALLY DO CRY, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY: LORD GOD OF SABAOTH
TH HEAVEN AND EARTH ARE FULL OF THE MAJESTY: OF THY GLORY.
THE GLORIOUS COMPANY OF THE APOSTLES: PRAISE THEE.
THE GOODLY FELLOWSHIP OF THE PROPHETS: PRAISE THEE.
THE NOBLE ARMY OF MARTYRS: PRAISE THEE
THE HOLY CHURCH THROUGHOUT ALL THE WORLD: DOTH ACKNOWLEDGE THEE;
The Father: of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true: and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.
THOU ART THE KING OF GLORY: O CHRIST.
Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man: thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
WHEN THOU HADST OVERCOME THE SHARPNESS OF DEATH: THOU DIDST OPEN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TO ALL BELIEVERS.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God: In the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shall come: to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants: whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints: in glory everlasting

Inscriptions: Lyrics of the hymn Te Deum
To the Glory of God In Loving Memory of Harry Lynn Pierson
Born April XXI MDCCCLXV
Died December II MCMXXI


Height: 30'

Width: 10'

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Enamel Paint, Lead Came, Vitreous Paint, Etching or Sandblasting

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