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

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Window

Building Name: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel

Studio Name: Zettler (F. X.) Studios

City: Livonia

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

Date of Window: 1961

Subject/Title of Window: Apostles Matthew, Peter, and John

Brief Description of Subject: This window is located in the sanctuary. In 1961 the sanctuary was redesigned. The artistic designer for this project was Lelio De Ranieri, who had his studio in Detroit. He specialized in ecclesiastical designs. As part of this redesign, he had the four windows in the cupola replaced with stained glass featuring the Apostles, three to a window. These windows of his design were executed by F. X. Zettler, Munich.
 
Note all the predellas have a solid red circle in the center.
 
St. Matthew the Evangelist: Pictured here with a book (Gospel writer and preacher), and a spear. Although the instrument of his martyrdom is unknown, a spear is one the choices.
 
Predella: Seen here are money bags (occupation as a tax collector), and a winged face. The four Evangelists are symbolized by the four winged creatures that surrounded the throne of Christ in Revelation 4:6 - 8 --- Matthew became the one that "had a face like a man."
 
St. Peter: Pictured with the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:29), giving a Papal blessing (he is considered the first Pope), a nimbus containing a cross (martyred by crucifixion), and at his feet, a fish (occupation as a fisherman).
 
Predella: Seen here are: a papal tiara as the first Pope, a Patriarchal cross as the first Bishop of Rome, a bishop's crozier symbolizing a Good Shepherd, the Vatican (St. Peter's) built on a rock (Peter is the rock on which Christ will build his Church --- Matthew 16:18), and a stole which is a band of silk worn by the clergy when administering a sacrament.
 
St. John the Evangelist: He is seen writing a book (he wrote a gospel and the Revelation), and by tradition, is beardless. 
 
Predella: Pictured is an eagle --- The four Evangelists are symbolized by the four winged creatures that surrounded the throne of Christ in Revelation 4:6 - 8, John became the one "like a flying eagle." Also seen is a chalice with a snake crawling out of it --- this comes from the legend that in an attempt to kill him, he was given a chalice laced with poison, but when he blessed it, the poison turned into a snake and crawled out of it.
 
On the bottom left of the predella of the St. Peter's lancet, is the inscription for the designer and location of his studio --- De Ranieri Detroit.

Inscriptions: ST. MATTHEW EV.
ST. PETER
ST. JOHN EV.
DE RANIERI DETROIT


Height: 9'

Width: 7'

Apostles Matthew, Peter, and John
Apostles Matthew, Peter, and John
St. Matthew
St. Matthew
St. Peter
St. Peter
St. John the Evangelist
St. John the Evangelist
Signature
Signature

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