Window
Building Name: St. Mary Catholic ChurchCity: Royal Oak
Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, more than 2 vertical sections)
Subject/Title of Window: Fleur-de-Lis and Star of the Sea
Brief Description of Subject: This two lancet window is located in the stairwell leading up to the balcony. It features a fleur-de-lis and a star shining its light on the sea below.
The fleur-de-lis (a stylized lily) is the symbol of royalty and is used to refer to the Virgin Mary as the "Queen of Heaven."
The star shining its light down on the sea illustrates Mary's title as "Star of the Sea." This title originated from a copying error. Her Hebrew name means "drop of the sea." In Latin, St. Jerome translated this as "Stilla Maris," which in the 5th Century was miscopied as "Stella Maris" --- "Star of the Sea."
The appropriateness of this title by St. Thomas Aquinas (13th Century), "The name Mary, which is interpreted as 'star of the sea,' befits her; sailors are guided by the stars, so also Christians are guided by Mary unto glory."
Height: 94"
Width: 46"
Fleur-de-Lis and Star of the Sea
Fleur-de-Lis and Star of the Sea outside
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