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

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Window

Building Name: St. Florian Catholic Church

Studio Name: Schmitt (Conrad) Studios

City: Hamtramck

Window Shape: 3 (arched)

Subject/Title of Window: St. Fancis of Assisi and the Portiuncula Indulgence

Brief Description of Subject: Window: The window is part of a pair of windows about St. Francis of Assisi that are located in a small room on the gospel side of the narthex. The room now serves as a small chapel; its altar obstructs the view of the bottom portion of this window. The window depicts the story of the "Portiuncula Indulgence". St. Francis was kneeling in prayer when he envisioned many people coming to the Portiuncula Chapel. Surrounded by angels, Jesus and Mary then appeared to him and asked him "What would you want to help poor sinners?". St. Francis replied "grant a plenary indulgence to all who visit Portiuncula and make a confession". Jesus and Mary agreed and it was granted by the Pope. Below this scene is the inscription "Fratres Minori" over a cross and hands that contain the stigmata -- one is Christ's hand and the other St. Francis's hand.

Background: St. Francis (1181 -1226) renounced all material possessions and was directed by Christ to repair a small abandoned Benedictine Chapel called St. Mary of the angels -- better known as Portiuncula (little portion). He lived in the chapel and was joined by many followers which in 1209 led him to found the "Order of Friars Minor" aka "Franciscans". In 1224 he received the stigmata from a crucified Christ in the form of an angel.

Inscriptions: FRATRES MINORI (Friars Minor)


Height: 12'

Width: 4'

St. Fancis of Assisi and the Portiuncula Indulgence
St. Fancis of Assisi and the Portiuncula Indulgence
St. Francis Praying to Jesus and Mary close-up
St. Francis Praying to Jesus and Mary close-up
FRATRES MINORI (Friars Minor) close-up
FRATRES MINORI (Friars Minor) close-up
St. Fancis of Assisi and the Portiuncula Indulgence outside
St. Fancis of Assisi and the Portiuncula Indulgence outside

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All images in the Index are either born-digital photographs of windows or buildings or are scans of slides, prints, or other published sources. These images have been provided by volunteers and the quality of the material varies widely.

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