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

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Window

Building Name: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

City: Ypsilanti

Window Shape: 3 (arched)

Date of Window: 1933

Subject/Title of Window: Presentation/Flight to Egypt/Finding in the Temple/Holy Family

Brief Description of Subject: Each of the 10 aisle windows contain four roundels that picture events in the life of Christ for a total of 40 scenes. These scenes are arranged somewhat in a chronological order starting with the Annunciation (nearest the sanctuary on the epistle side) and ending with Christ the King (nearest to sanctuary on the gospel side).

The roundels in the window from top to bottom:
Presentation (Luke 2:22 - 38). The Presentation is a Jewish rite. As payment for the Passover, 40 days after birth, God requires all firstborn males to be brought to the Temple and a specified offering made. When Jesus was brought to the Temple, a man named Simeon was there. God had promised him that he would not die until he had seen the promised Messiah. When he saw Jesus, he took him in his arms and proclaimed him the Messiah --- his words are called the "Canticle of Simeon." Also present was a prophetess named Anna who would also proclaim Jesus the promised Messiah. This window pictures Simeon holding the Christ Child. Looking on are Jesus' parents as well as Anna. The basket with the two birds is for the offering. Mary is holding a candle. The feast day of the Presentation is also called "Candlemas." On this day candles are blessed and during Mass a lit candle is held by the celebrants. This came from a verse in the Canticle of Simeon --- (The Messiah) "is a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of the people of Israel." (Luke 2:32 Douay Rheims)
Flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:13 - 14). "And after they [Magi] were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly to Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him.
Joseph arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt." (Douay Rheims)
Finding In The Temple (Luke 2:41 - 52). When Jesus was 12 years old, the Holy Family traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. On their return trip his parents realized he wasn't with their traveling group and went looking for him. After three days they found him in the Temple among the scholars. The scholars were amazed with his knowledge of the scriptures. His mother chastised him for the worry he had caused his parents, but Jesus responded, "How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father's business?" Verse 49 Douay - Rheims
Holy Family. This is a portrait of the Holy Family. Joseph is holding lilies --- an attribute of purity. Mary is in a pose of humility. The Christ Child is giving a blessing and holding a globus cruciger --- symbol of authority. A descending dove, symbol for the Holy Spirit, is seen radiating its light onto the Christ Child. This comes from Luke 2:39 - 40 --- (paraphrasing) After the Presentation Joseph and Mary returned to their town of Nazareth and the child grew in wisdom and age. Wisdom is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

Inscriptions: Gift of Bridget Monaghan


Condition of Window: Good

Height: 12'

Width: 46"

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Lead Came, Vitreous Paint

Presentation/Flight to Egypt/Finding in the Temple/Holy Family
Presentation/Flight to Egypt/Finding in the Temple/Holy Family
Presentation
Presentation
Flight to Egypt
Flight to Egypt
Finding in the Temple
Finding in the Temple
Holy Family
Holy Family

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