The figure of our patron saint, Catherine (1347-1380), dominates this window. She is clothed in the habit of the mantellate, a name given to lay women who were Dominican nuns living in the world but not of it.  Unlike most of the religious orders of women at that time, they were not cloistered.  A painting of Catherine by a contemporary was used as a model for the face of the saint.  The lilies at the upper left and lower right are the heraldic […]

The window above the choir loft is meant to direct the whole assembly toward the Parousia, that is, the second coming of our Lord.  The splendid azure color of the window is evocative of the heavens.  In the Book of Revelation 21:1, we read: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.”  In the center of the window, we find a throne set upon a ruby and emerald base.  The precious stones recall the description of the new and heavenly […]

The right panel shows the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovering over the apostles hiding behind walls “for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19).  They are surrounded by fire.  The Acts of the Apostles reports that these tongues of fire “parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim” (Acts 2:3-4).  The billowing curtain is evocative of […]

This window presents the Paschal Mystery, central to our Christian faith.  The right panel depicts the crucifixion of Jesus with his mother Mary and the disciple John at the foot of the cross.  Above Jesus, the initials “INRI” speak of his kingship: they are the first letters of the Latin inscription “Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum” (Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews) that was placed on his cross (cf. Matthew 27:37).  The bottom of the panel displays an altar with bread and wine […]

This window presents important moments in our Lord’s public life.  The first panel on the right depicts the scene of his baptism by John the Baptist with the waters of the Jordan River flowing around them. The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descends upon Jesus.  This scene recalls the important event found in all three synoptic gospels when a voice from heaven is heard to say, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17).  The […]

In the first panel, the burning bush at the bottom represents God’s presence; a bush that burns but is not consumed (cf. Exodus 3:1ff).  The colorful band that emanates from it and swirls through many of the eastern windows represents God’s saving action down through the ages – from Old Testament times to New Testament times and even until today.  Above you see Mary encounter the angel Gabriel who announces that she has found favor with God and shall conceive and bear the […]

The first panel represents the genealogic tree of Jesus – the Jesse tree. Jesse was the father of King David.  As we read in Isaiah 11:1: “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.”  The figures sprouting from the tree represent the ancestors of Jesus.  Jesse is seated at the base of the tree and Jesus, depicted in royal attire, stands at the top.  The rose at his waist recalls the words of the […]

The story of David begins in the center section of the first panel with Bethlehem, the city of David, which in Hebrew means “house of bread.”  Below that, the prophet Samuel anoints David as God’s chosen one.  Behind Samuel you see the depiction of the death of Saul. The Philistines defeated the Israelites on Mount Gilboa, seen in the upper section.  Saul was wounded and his sons were slain.  He begged his armor-bearers to kill him so that he would not fall into […]

The baptismal font, hand and paschal candle in the lower section of the Noah panel recall the first letter of St. Peter where it is written that “this [ark] prefigured baptism, which saves you now” (1 Pet 3:21).  The paschal candle is a reminder of the reception of the sacrament of Baptism and is always lit when Baptism is celebrated.  Octagonal baptismal fonts were quite common in the early Church.  They represent the seven days of creation followed by the eighth day, the […]

In the first panel, God, represented by the all-­seeing eye, contemplates the creation of the world. Wisdom is represented by two female figures, one asleep in the womb of eternity and the other playing before God. This imagery is found in the Book of Sirach 1:4: “Before anything was created there was wisdom; prudent understanding from eternity.”  Throughout the Old Testament, Wisdom is usually personified as a woman.

The fountains in this panel refer to the Book of Proverbs 8:24 where Wisdom is said […]