Stained Glass

St. Jude Thaddeus - Feast: October 28th (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture)

Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle

St. Jude was the brother of St. James the Less and a relative of Jesus. He is the author on an epistle to the Eastern Churches. St. Jude probably preached in Palestine and Persia. He is the apostle that is referred to in the Gospel according to John.

14:22 Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, "Master, (then) what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?"

14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him."

He was martyred in the 1st century. St. Jude is mentioned in the Roman Canon. He is the Patron Saint of Desperate Situations and Hospitals.

The religious symbol commonly associated with St. Jude is a club, or square rule.

St. James the Lesser- Feast: May 3rd (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: 62 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle; St. James died in 62 A.D. He was the son of Alphaeus and believed to be a cousin of the Lord. St. James was surnamed St. James the Less. He was believed to be the leader of the Jerusalem Church and has an epistle ascribed to him. St. James was either beaten or stoned to death. He is the Patron Saint of druggist, dying, fullers, hatters, and Uruguay. St. James is listed in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).

The religious symbols associated with St. James are the club, halberd, and square rule. This stained glass artwork depicts St. James holding a club.

St. Thomas - Feast: July 3rd (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes (1630) -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle; St. Thomas is remembered for his doubt concerning the resurrection of the Lord. He is associated with founding the Church in South India. St. Thomas is mentioned in the Roman Canon. Since the fourth century the celebration of the transference of his body to Edessa has been commemorated on July 3rd. He is the Patron Saint of Architects, Builders, and Geometricians, India, and Pakistan.

The religious symbols associated with St. Thomas are the ax or lance. This window depicts St. Thomas holding a lance.

St. Matthew - Feast: September 21st (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle, Evangelist; The veneration of St. Matthew goes back to the fifth century. The New Testament describes Matthew as a Levi and a tax collector. He was born in Capernaum (Mt 9:9) and is the author of the First Gospel, which was written in Aramic. St. Matthew probably evangelized Persia and Ethiopia. He was Martyred in Ethiopia. St. Matthew is the Patron Saint of Accountants, Bankers, Bookkeepers, Custom Officials, and Tax Collectors.

Since Matthew represented Our Lord as a man in his gospels, the most common religious symbol for him is that of a man. This window has a beautiful image of a winged man holding the gospel at the feat of the saint. Further representing the fact that Matthew was the author of one of the four gospels is the quill in his left hand. His right hand holds a purse, another symbol associated with St. Matthew, representing his origins as a tax collector.

There is a second window of Matthew in the church and is included below.

St. Simon - Feast: October 28th (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle; St. Simon usually appears 11th in the list of Apostles. He has been surnamed "The Canaanite" and "The Zealot". The Zealots were an anti-Roman party. St. Simon probably preached in Egypt and Persia. St. Simon is mentioned in the Roman Canon. He was martyred in the 1st century.

In St. Matthew's Gospel, we read of St. Simon or Simeon who is described as one of our Lord's brethren or kinsmen. His father was Cleophas, St. Joseph's brother, and his mother, according to some writers, was our Lady's sister. He would therefore be our Lord's first cousin and is supposed to have been about eight years older than He. No doubt he is one of those brethren of Christ who are mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as having received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

The symbol depicted in this window for Simon is that of a saw.

St. Matthias - Feast: May 14th (Feast)
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: Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle; St. Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas as one of the twelve disciples (Acts 1:23-26). "So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, ´You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.´ Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles." St. Matthias is included in the Roman Canon.

Clement of Alexandria says that Matthias, like all the other apostles, was not chosen by Jesus for what he already was, but for what Jesus foresaw he would become. He was elected not because he was worthy but because he would become worthy. Jesus chooses all of us in the same way. What does Jesus want you to become?

St. Mathias is depicted here holding a lance.

St. Peter - Feast: June 29th (Solemnity)
(Click on image for LARGER picture)
: Born: Unknown -- Died: 64 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other:; St. Peter was the first Pope of the Church. He was a fisherman before being called as an apostle. St. Peter died around 64 A.D. by crucifixion. However, St. Peter was crucified upside down because he did not feel he was worthy to die in the same manner as our Lord. He has two epistles attributed to himself. St. Peter is mentioned in the Roman Canon. He is the Patron Saint of Bakers, Clock Makers, Fisherman, and Rome.

"I will entrust to you the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven" -Matthew 16:19
In this beautiful image of St. Peter, he is depicted as holding the "Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven".

St. Andrew - Feast: November 30th (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle
: St. Andrew was the brother of St. Peter and a follower of St. John the Baptist and was the first of the apostles to follow Christ. He preached the Gospel in Greece. St. Andrew was crucified in 60 A.D. in Patras on an X-shaped cross. He is Patron Saint of Fisherman, Old Maids, Russia, Scotland, and Singles.

A religious symbol of the manner of his death, St. Andrew is depicted here holding his cross.

St. James the Greater - Feast: July 25th (Feast)
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Born: Unknown -- Died: 44 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: First Martyred Apostle

St. James was the first of the twelve to be martyred. He died by decapitation in 42 A.D. under Herod Agrippa. St. James is referred to as the greater because he was called by Christ before the other apostle of the same name. He preached the Gospel in Samaria, Judea and Spain. St. James has a Church dedicated to his name in Compostella, Spain. He is the Patron Saint of Guatemala, Laborers, Nicaragua, Pilgrims, Rheumatism, and Spain. St. James is listed in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).

But even among the apostles he held a special place. When Jesus raised Jairus' daughter when all thought her dead, he only allowed James, John, and Peter to come with him. Even more important when he went up to the mountain to pray, he wanted James, John, and Peter to go with him. And it was there on the mountain they were privileged to witness what no one else had seen -- Jesus transfigured in his glory, speaking to Moses and Elijah, as the voice of God spoke from a cloud.

And with Simon Peter, James and John were the only ones of the apostles that Jesus gave a special name: Sons of Thunder.

The religious symbol associated with St. James in this window is that of a Pilgrim's Staff.

St. Bartholomew - Feast: August 24th (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: 60 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle; St. Bartholomew is identified by some as Nathaniel because St. Matthew list him with Philip as one of the first apostles chosen by Christ. He most likely preached the Gospel in Armenia, although there is not a clear consensus on this point. It is believed that he converted the King of Armenia and then was ordered skinned alive by the king's brother and then beheaded. St. Bartholomew is the Patron Saint of the Plasterers and the Sick.

St. Philip - Feast: May 3rd (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle
: St. Philip came from Bethsaida of Galilee. He was martyred in the first century by dying on the cross at Heirapolis. He is only mentioned in the Gospels with the list of the apostles. Clement of Alexandria thought he could possibly be the young man in the Gospel of John who begged to leave and go home first and bury is father to which Jesus replied "let the dead bury their dead". St. Philip along with St. James is the Patron Saint of Uruguay.

Philip was present at the miracle of the loaves and fishes. In this artwork, Philip holds a loaf in his right hand.

St. John the Evangelist - Feast: December 27th (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other:
: St. John is known as the disciple that Jesus Loved. He is the only Apostle who was not martyred. St. John was exiled to the island Paphos. He authored of the Gospel according to John, three letters and the Book of Revelation. St. John is symbol is the Eagle and is mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). St. John is the Patron Saint of Booksellers and Painters. He is the Patron Saint of our parish.

The eagle is symbolic of John's depiction of Jesus as God. The gospel book is at his feet, and an alternate symbol for John the Evangelist, a chalice, in his hands.

St. Paul - Feast: June 29th (Solemnity)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: 67 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other:
: St. Paul was martyred in Rome around 67 A.D. He was a Pharisee who converted to Christ after being knocked down by a light and blinded. He is mentioned in the Roman Canon. He was present and condoned the stoning to death of St. Stephen who was the first martyr. St. Paul's letters are dated between 50-65 A.D. He is the Patron Saint of the Lay Apostolate, the Cursillo Movement, Catholic Action, Musicians, Rome, Tent Makers, Malta, and Greece.

The symbols associated with St. Paul are those of the sword (a persecutor of the early church) and that of a scroll. This artwork depicts Paul with each of these symbols.

See below for a second Stained-Glass Window depicting St. John.

St. John the Evangelist - Feast: December 27th (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other:
: St. John is known as the disciple that Jesus Loved. He is the only Apostle who was not martyred. St. John was exiled to the island Paphos. He authored of the Gospel according to John, three letters and the Book of Revelation. St. John is symbol is the Eagle and is mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). St. John is the Patron Saint of Booksellers and Painters. He is the Patron Saint of our parish.

This earlier window of St. John includes religious symbol, the Eagle and beautifully illustrates that he was the author of one of the Gospels. The eagle is symbolic of John's depiction of Jesus as God. Paul's preaching of the Good News to the gentiles is further illustrated in this beautiful window.

See above for a second Stained-Glass Window depicting St. John.

St. Luke - Feast: October 18th (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other:
: St. Luke was born to a pagan family and was converted to the faith by a fellow worker of the Apostle Paul. He was by trade a physician and lived in the city of Antioch. Based on St. Paul's preaching he wrote the Gospel according to Luke. Also, he is the author of the Acts of the Apostles which tells of the beginning of the Church up to the time St. Paul first traveled to Rome.

He and St. Paul evangelized Greece and Rome. He suffered martyrdom toward the end of the 1st century. St. Luke is typified by an ox (one of the four living creatures in the vision of Ezekiel), because he begins his Gospel with the history of Zechariah, the priest, offering sacrifice to God, and emphasizes the universal priesthood of Christ. St. Luke is the Patron Saint of Artists, Brewers, Butchers, Doctors, Glass-workers, Notaries, Painter, Physicians, Sculptors and Surgeons.

St Luke is depicted as an author of the gospel with his quill and scroll. Luke depicted Jesus as "Priest and Victim", represented by the Ox.

St. Mark - Feast: April 25th (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle
: Mark's Gospel account of Jesus Christ is probably the oldest of the four Gospels being written around 70 A.D. He is believed to be the cousin of Barnabas. St. Mark is associated with St. Peter and St. Paul. He is the Patron Saint of Notaries, Egypt, and Venice. St. Mark is believed to be the first bishop of Alexandria.

Marks is symbolically represented by a lion, as he depicted Our Lord as King. He is depicted here as a gospel author with his quill and book in hand.

St. Matthew - Feast: September 21st (Feast)
(Click on image for LARGER picture)

Born: Unknown -- Died: Unknown -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Apostle, Evangelist
: The veneration of St. Matthew goes back to the fifth century. The New Testament describes Matthew as a Levi and a tax collector. He was born in Capernaum (Mt 9:9) and is the author of the First Gospel, which was written in Aramic. St. Matthew probably evangelized Persia and Ethiopia. He was Martyred in Ethiopia. St. Matthew is the Patron Saint of Accountants, Bankers, Bookkeepers, Custom Officials, and Tax Collectors.

Since Matthew represented Our Lord as a man in his gospels, the most common religious symbol for him is that of a man. This window has a beautiful image of a winged man. As an author, Matthew is shown with at quill and scroll.

There is a second window of Matthew in the church and is included above.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux - Feast: October 1 (Obligatory Memorial)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: 1873 -- Died: 1897 -- Canonized: 1925
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other: doctor of the Church
: Thérèse of the Child Jesus was born in Alencon, Normandy in 1873. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925. St. Thérèse entered the Carmelite monastery at Lisieux where she instructed the novices of the community. The rapid growth of devotion to this saint is one of the greatest phenomena of contemporary religious history. St. Thérèse died of tuberculosis on September 30, 1897. She is a doctor of the Church. St. Thérèse is the Patron Saint of Aviators, Florist, France, and Missions.

Generations of Catholics have admired this young saint, called her the "Little Flower", and found in her short life more inspiration for own lives than in volumes by theologians.

The religious symbol for St. Therese of Lisieux is that of roses entwining a crucifix.

St. Anthony of Padua - Feast: June 13th (Obligatory Memorial)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: 1195 -- Died: 1231 -- Canonized: 1232
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: No -- Other: doctor of the Church (1946)
: St. Anthony of Padua died when he was only 36 years old. He was a gifted Orator and Preacher and was know as the "Evangelical Doctor". Saint Anthony of Padua is the Patron Saint of barren women, elderly, grave-diggers, lost articles, the harvest, the poor, Portugal, swine herders, and travelers.

The symbols associated with Anthony of Padua depicted here are the Christ Child, and the lily.

St. Philomena - Feast: August 11th
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Patroness of the Living Rosary
Patroness of the Children of Mary
In 1802, the bones of a female between the ages of 13 and 15 were discovered in the catacomb of St. Priscilla. An inscription near her tomb read "Peace be with thee, Philomena", along with drawings of 2 anchors, 3 arrows and a palm. Near her bones was discovered a small glass vial, containing the remains of blood. Because it was a popular custom of the early martyrs to leave symbols and signs such as these, it was easily determined that St. Philomena was a virgin and a martyr. Her popularity soon became widespread, with her most memorable devotees being St. John Vianney, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, St. Peter Eymard, and St. Peter Chanel. After being miraculously cured, Ven. Pauline Jaricot insisted that Pope Gregory XVI begin an examination for the beatification of St. Philomena, who was to become known as the "wonder worker". After hundreds of other miraculous cures, she was beatified in 1837. St. Philomena, who the pope named as the Patroness of the Living Rosary and the Patroness of the Children of Mary, is the only person recognized as a saint solely on the basis of her powerful intercession, although pertinent revelations regarding her life have been recorded. Her relics are now preserved in Mugnano, Italy.

The symbols of St. Philomena, an arrow, a bone, an anchor and a palm are all depicted here.

St. John the Baptist - Feast: Birth June 24th (Solemnity)
(Click on image for LARGER picture): Born: Unknown -- Died: 30 -- Canonized: Unknown
Roman Calendar: Yes -- Roman Canon: Yes -- Other: Martyrdom celebrated August 29; John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. He was beheaded because King Herod agreed to give Herodias whatever she wanted if her daughter would dance for him. Herodias convinced her daughter to ask for the Head of John the Baptist on a platter. His birth is celebrated six months before Christ in accordance with Luke 1:36. Another unique distinction is that John was born right after the number of days started to get shorter and Christ was born right after the number of days get longer.

John the Baptist is often symbolized, as he is here, by a lamb.

The Annunciation
(Click on image for LARGER picture): This beautiful window in the North wing of the church depicts the Angel Gabriel appearing to Mary, and the intercession of the Holy Spirit.

"In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of he house of David."
- Luke 1:26

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence, the holy offspring to be born will be called the Son of God."
- Luke 1:35

The window is broken into four parts by a cross, representing the instrumental role that Mary played in Salvation History.

The Nativity
(Click on image for LARGER picture): This beautiful window in the South wing of the church depicts the Birth of Jesus.

"While they were there the days of her confinement were completed. She gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the place where travelers lodged."
- Luke 2:6-7; "The shepherds said to one another: 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this event which the Lord has made known to us.' They went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in hte manger."
- Luke 2:15-16

The window is broken into four parts by a cross, reminding us of the purpose of Jesus' birth.

The Immaculate Conception
(Click on image for LARGER picture): This beautiful window in the West wing of the church reminds us that Mary was conceived without Original Sin. It is an appropriate image in this oldest section of Immaculate Conception Church.

"A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars."
- Rev. 12:1

The Baptism of Our Lord
(Click on image for LARGER picture): This beautiful window in the vestibule of the West wing of the church depicts the Baptism of Jesus.

"When all the people were baptized, and Jesus was at prayer after likewise being baptized, the skies opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in visible form like a dove. A voice from heaven was heard to say: 'You are my beloved Son, On you my favor rests.' "
- Luke 3:21-22; This window beautifully depicts the above scripture passage. St John