Window
Building Name: St. Mary's of Redford ChurchCity: Redford
Window Shape: 3 (arched)
Subject/Title of Window: Comforter of the Afflicted
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 "Comforter of the Afflicted, Pray for us."
Pictured in the center medallion is a lily-of-the-valley. The flowers drooping downwards suggest falling tears, and became known as "Our Lady's Tears" from the legend that as the Virgin Mary wept at the crucifiction of her Son, her tears fell at the foot of the cross and turned into blossoms of the lily-of-the-valley. The suitability of this symbol is described in the Salve Maria Regina Spring 2021 Bulletin on Mary's title as "Comforter of the Afflicted" in the Litany of Loreto:
"Thou art sorrowful and worthy of tears," says the Church in the Gradual of the Mass of the Seven Dolors,"O Virgin Mary, standing near the Cross of the Lord Jesus, Thy Son our Redeemer." One has but to recall the Stabat Mater, the most sublime meditation ever given on the Sorrows of Mary, with its aching prayer to share in Her grief, Her comfort to Her Son: Let me mingle tears with thee, mourning Him Who mourned for me, all the days that I may live. By the Cross with thee to stay, there with thee to weep and pray, is all I ask of thee to give."
Height: ~64"
Width: 36"
Comforter of the Afflicted, Robert J. Scott
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