Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

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 James Minor, Matthias, and Thomas

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. James Minor: Pictured here holding a book (preached the Word of God) and a stick with plants growing out of it (chosen by God --- Numbers 17:8 - 9).
 
Predella: Seen are a picture of a portrait of Jesus, a club, laurel branch, and what appears to be three loaves of bread. The picture of Jesus (cruciform nimbus) --- legend that James Minor looked like Jesus, thus the need for Judas to identify Christ with a kiss (compare artist's picture of James Minor and Jesus). The laurel branch (martyr) and club --- James Minor was martyred when he was thrown down from the Temple walls and then clubbed to death. Loaves of bread --- legend that after Jesus died on the cross, James Minor vowed to never eat again, but Jesus appeared to him, took bread and blessed it, and gave it to him. Thereafter James Minor resumed eating.
 
St. Matthias: Pictured holding a book (preached the Word of God), and an axe (martyred by beheading)
 
Predella: Seen are a laurel leaf (martyr), a cross (Jesus), the sun and moon, and the inscription, "Et Vitam Aeternam" (And life everlasting). This inscription is the last verse of the Apostle's Creed. There are 12 verses in this Creed and legend has it that at Pentecost each Apostle, inspired by the Holy Spirit, contributed one verse. "And life everlasting" was Matthias' contribution. This refers to a consequence of the Last Judgement. Possibly the sun and moon refer to Revelation 6:12 where at the Last Judgement, "There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like a sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned red."
 
St. Thomas: Pictured here holding a book (preached the Word of God), and a builder's square (legend that he preached in India where he built a church).
 
Predella: The Crown of Thorns over a crown (the risen Christ), and a hand touching a bleeding wound. This refers to John 20:24 - 29, Jesus Appears to Thomas. After his resurrection, Jesus had appeared to the disciples, but Thomas was not present. When Thomas heard about this, he didn't believe it and said, "Unless I ... put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." Later when Jesus appeared to the disciples and Thomas was present, Jesus told Thomas, "Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
 
On the outside picture, this window is on the left.

Inscriptions: ST. JAMES MINOR
ST. MATTHIAS
ST. THOMAS
ET VITAM AETERNAM


Height: 9'

Width: 7'

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