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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: St. Albertus Church

Studio Name: Thompson Art Glass

City: Detroit

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

Date of Window: 1966

Subject/Title of Window: 1000 Years of Poland As A Christian Nation

Brief Description of Subject: Octofoil at the top contains an image of a painting of the Madonna and Child called "Our Lady of Czestochowa". It is affectionately called the "Black Madonna" as smoke from candles has darkened the face of the Virgin Mary. It is the most revered icon in all of Poland and a fitting image to be included in a window celebrating 1000 years of Poland as a Christian nation. According to legend it was painted by Luke sometime after the Resurrection. It eventually found its way to Poland in the 15th Century were it has remained to this day.

The scene shows the baptism of Mieszko 1 on April 12, 966. Many mark this as the beginning of the Polish State. The center panel features Mieszko 1 dressed in kingly garb being baptized; the right panel features his wife Dobrawa of Bohemia with their two children, at their feet are the symbols of a king; the left panel features the priest performing the baptismal ceremony, at his feet are a bowl and water pitcher used in the ceremony. The other people seen are members of the court, many of which will also be baptized at this time. Above the priest hangs a red and white banner -- the colors of the Polish State; above Dobrawa hangs a yellow and white banner -- the colors of the Vatican. The nimbus on the priest, indicating sainthood or possibly in this case Christ, is a case of artistic license -- in viewing the picture you are now being led to focus on the main participants --- Mieszko (Poland State) and the Priest (Christian Faith). Looking at the pose of Mieszko as well as his facial expression and the pose of the priest, Poland is to be subservient to God.

The window was donated by Father Aloysius Guzicki Pastor in 1966.

Inscriptions: 1966 BAPTISM MIESZKO KING POLAND
1966 POLAND 1000 YEARS a CHRISTIAN NATION
SIMON WIECZOREK FIRST PASTOR of ST. ALBERTUS PARISH 1870 - 1878
THOMPSON GLASS, DETROIT
FR. A. GUZICKI


Height: ~16'

Width: 6'

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