Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Catholic Church

Studio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass

City: Hamtramck

Window Shape: 3 (arched)

Date of Window: 1951

Subject/Title of Window: Baptism of Water

Brief Description of Subject: This is one of four windows created for the baptistry. This baptistry is located in a private room off the Gospel side aisle and is octagonal in shape, symbolizing Christ's resurrection on the eighth day from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. When this Church was built, baptisms were not allowed in the interior of the Church. Most baptistries were placed in the vestibule, a few either in a separate building, or like here, in a private room off the interior of the Church. Vatican II changed this prohibition and allows baptisms to take place inside the Church even during Mass. This Church has moved the baptistry from this private room.
 
There are three types of Baptism in the canon of the Catholic Church --- baptism of water, baptism of desire, and baptism of blood. This window illuminates an example of a baptism of an infant with water.
 
In the early Church there was debate over whether or or not baptism should be allowed for infants as they are not yet capable of understanding Christian beliefs. St. Paul in Colossians 2:11 -12 points out that in Judaism one becomes a member through circumcision, which by law takes place eight days from birth, similarly through baptism one becomes a member of Christianity. This is an argument for infant baptism. The earliest written record that infant baptism was taking place appeared in the late 2nd Century book "Against Heresies" by Irenaeus.
 
The middle scene pictures an infant baptized with holy water. Most baptisms are performed on Sunday, as that is the day Christ was raised from the dead.
 
Above and below the scene are decorative putti reacting to the scene with approval.

Inscriptions: Baptism of Water


Height: 68"

Width: 14"

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