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Window of the Month
Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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Window

Building Name: Holy Name Church

Studio Name: Detroit Stained Glass Works, The

City: Birmingham

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1955

Subject/Title of Window: St. Gregory the Great

Brief Description of Subject: This is one of six aisle windows that portray Doctors of the Church. Due to an annex to the Church, this window is no longer able to receive sunlight. The Church has installed a spot light that illuminates the head region.
St. Gregory the Great (c.550 - 640) is one of the four great Latin Doctors of the Church. He was the son of a Roman Senator, and started life as an official of the government. Around the age of 25 he joined the Order of St. Benedict, and is credited with building many monasteries. He was elected Pope in 590 and is known for his sermons, letters, codifying prayers in the Mass, and organizing liturgical music now known as Gregorian Chant.
His attributes pictured here:
Costumed in pontifical robes and wearing the Papal tiara. On the hem of his garment is seen the Chi-Rho Christogram with the Greek letters Alpha and Omega.
A dove perched on his shoulder. This comes from the story that while Gregory was dictating a sermon on Ezechiel 2.2 ("And the Spirit entered into me after that he spoke to me.") the scribe saw a dove (Holy Spirit) perched on Gregory.
Holding a book with a red ribbon. Probably symbolizing his liturgical writings, as a red ribbon usually means Divinity (Christ's blood).
At the top are three fish forming a triangle --- the Trinity, and below buildings, possibly a reference to the monasteries he had built.

This window was designed by Margaret Bouchez Cavanaugh when she worked at the Detroit Stained Glass Works.

Condition of Window: Good

Height: 112"

Width: 34"

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

St. Gregory the Great
St. Gregory the Great
St. Gregory the Great close-up
St. Gregory the Great close-up

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