Window
Building Name: St. Mary's of Redford ChurchCity: Redford
Window Shape: 3 (arched)
Subject/Title of Window: Holy Mary
Brief Description of Subject: The clerestory windows are designed to let light into the Church and all have the same design --- a wide border of stylized lilies and three medallions. The center medallion will contain a symbol for an avocation found in the Litany of Loreto. The avocation in this window is "Holy Mary, Pray for us."
Pictured in the center medallion are olive branches and the inscription "Oliva Speciosa," which is a quote found in the Vulgate at Sirach 24:19 and translates as "fair olive tree," (Douay-Rheims). The suitability of this symbol is described in the 1750 book "The illustrated Litany of Loreto" by Franz Xavier Dornn and illuminated by the Klauber Studio." Translated in 1878 from Latin by Thomas Canon Pope.
HOLY MARY
Blessed be the Lord, who hath so magnified thy name this day, that thy praise shall not depart out of the mouth of men. Judith, xiii. 24.
The picture represents the name of Mary expressed with olive branches. But why should olive branches be employed? For this reason --- because the Sacred Scripture seems to allude to the name Mary when it says: "Oleum effusum nomen tuum" --- Thy name is as oil poured out; and, in another place: "Olivam pulchram vocavit Dominus nomen tuum" --- The Lord called thy name an olive tree, fair and beautiful. Now, as oil possesses the qualities of healing and strengthening, so the salutary name of Mary heals, invigorates, and strengthens. Again as oil, mixed with other liquids, floats on the top, so, after the name of God, the name of Mary is greater than all other names. Finally, as the olive branch which the dove brought to the ark was the sign of peace, so the wrath of God is assuaged when He is appealed to with confidence under the invocation of Mary.
Inscriptions: Oliva Speciosa
Translation from Latin: Olive Tree
Height: ~64"
Width: 36"
Holy Mary, photo by Robert J. Scott
Holy Mary, exterior
Loreto Sancta Maria Illumination by Klauber Studio
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