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

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Window

Building Name: Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Studio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass

City: Detroit

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

Subject/Title of Window: The Founding of the Church on St. Peter

Brief Description of Subject: The canopy topping this 5 panel window is decorative in nature highlighted by angels with censers.
 
The scene below is topped with decorative inscriptions based on Matt.28:4-5 --- the Resurrection scene where the two Mary's had come to anoint the body of Jesus and an angel appeared at the tomb "And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women 'Do not be afraid, for I know you seek Jesus'."  The "Guide to the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament" gives an excellent description of the scene (see last paragraph). Just some comments. The scene is from Matt. 16:1-20. Christ had taken his disciples to Caesarea Philippi and asked them who people thought he was and they answered a prophet like John the Baptist, Elias, or Jeremiah. Jesus then asked them who they thought he was and Simon Peter answered that he was the Messiah. Jesus then replied "Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jona ... and I say to the: 'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it'."  He then gave Peter, as head of his Church, full ecclesiastic power saying "and I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Below the scene are decorative coat-of-arms as befitting a Norman styled church as well as an angel holding what appears to be a ciborium.
 
In the lower portion of the window is found four saints with the artist's creation of their coat-of-arms as well as a decorative panel.
 
St. Martin of Tours (316 - 397) His father was an officer in the Roman army. At a young age St. Martin became interested in Christianity; his father disapproved and at age 15 entered him in the Roman Army. A few years later while on patrol, St Martin saw an ill clad beggar; Martin did not have any money with him so he split his cloak in two and gave one part to the beggar. That night, Martin had a dream that the beggar was Jesus who thanked him for his kind act. This inspired him to be baptized a Christian and he later left the army and began evangelizing. In 371 he became Bishop of Tours. His attributes seen here include dressed as a Roman soldier splitting his cloak and giving half to a beggar, and an anchor cross in his coat-of-arms -- early symbol for the belief in the Resurrection which is the hope for eternal life.
 
Second panel is decorative in nature with Christian icons and inscribed "Praise him".
 
Saint Paul was known for his prosecution of Christians until Jesus rather dramatically showed his power to him and he converted to Christianity. Traditionally 13 books of the Bible have been ascribed to him. He was martyred for his faith by beheading with a sword. His attributes seen here include a sword, book, and in his coat-of-arms a bunch of grapes --- possibly for his defense for the real rather than symbolic presence of Christ in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
 
Saint Benedict of Nursia (480 - 547) founded the "Benedictine Order" and built the famous monastery of Monte Casino. He was the abbot of that monastery and wrote the "Rule" which lays out the routines for a monk's day which would consist of prayer, study, and manual labor. His attributes seen here include dressed as a monk with a cowl and scapular, a pastoral staff (symbol of an abbot), and blessing a cup ---a group of monks could not follow the "Rule" and tried to kill him with a poisoned cup however before drinking from it, he blessed the cup and it shattered. I could not identify the flowers in the coat-of-arms.
 
St. Paul of the Cross (1694 - 1775) at age 26 founded the "Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ", members are popularly known as "Passionists". They wear a black tunic and on it is a patch with an image of a heart topped with a white cross. St. Paul of the Cross called his monasteries "Retreats" as he believed it necessary to live in solitude in order to preach the message of the Cross. He traveled extensively to preach his message, always carrying a large wooden cross hence his name "Paul of the Cross". His attributes seen here include a large wooden cross, a book with a cross on its cover and in the coat-of-arms, a hand with a quill pen writing in a book --- which might symbolize that he was a prolific writer, over a thousand of his letters and short writings are still available.

From the Guide to the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Copyright 1958, Archdiocese of Detroit.
In this last window in the north wall of the nave, we find Christ again predominant with St. Peter to His immediate right.  The Prince of the Apostles is shown receiving the Keys of the Kingdom from his Master.  Eight of the apostles occupy the other panels. Beneath are found St. Martin of Tours, St. Paul the Apostle, St. Benedict, and St. Paul of the cross.

Inscriptions: I will Give to Thee the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven


Height: 25'

Width: 12'

The Founding of the Church on St. Peter
The Founding of the Church on St. Peter
The Founding of the Church on St. Peter, scene
The Founding of the Church on St. Peter, scene
The Founding of the Church on St. Peter Saints
The Founding of the Church on St. Peter Saints
The Founding of the Church on St. Peter outside
The Founding of the Church on St. Peter outside

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