Stained Glass Windows in Our Lady of the Assumption Church
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Stained Glass Design
The stained glass windows in Our Lady of the Assumption Church were designed by Caldermac Studios in 1966. The design for the stained glass windows in the side chapels represents, in symbolic form, the Birth, Life, Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Our Blessed Lord.
The high level Clerestory windows use appropriate symbols to represent the 12 Apostles.
The Unity of the Godhead and of the Church
The colour is predominantly blue - the traditional colour associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Angel of the Annunciation and another angel supporting a crown, which speaks of Christ's Eternal KIngdom can be seen in this window.
A six point star suggets the Creator, whilst a second seven point star suggest the seven fold gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The light of the star shining down upon the Holy Child in the crib speaks of the Epiphany, and the bright central position reminds us of the light which came into the world and which is the light of men.
Gold glass seems to be falling from heaven
The cresent moon is one of traditional emblems of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The ox and the ass, which symbolise the Nativity, speak of characteristics of Our Blessed Lord - strength, patience, sacrifice, fidelity and service.
The Epiphany and the Lord's Kingly Office
The Numeral II speaks of the twofold nature of Our Lord and the golden colour of the window is associated with the Epiphany and Our Lord's Kingly Office.
The Fleur de Lys is symbolic of the Trinity and the Gladiolus suggests Incarnation. The three crowns also remind us of the Epiphany whilst the star is symbolic of the 3 Wise Men.
At the top of the window the IHS monogram - gold on a black background - speaks of the Son of Righteousness risen with healing in this wings.
The Lamb of god
The Numeral III suggetss the Holy spirit, the third
person of the Trinity; body, soul and spirit; Our Lord's
three temptations; the three occasions on which God's
voice was heard acknowledging this Son. The green background symbolises gracew, life and hope, and this theme is taken up in the detail of the panels. The Child, holding a scroll , suggests Our Lord in the Temple with the Doctors of Law.
The serpent surrounding the earth (top right) is symbolic of the fall of our First Parents and also of Our Lord's victory over Satan.
This also can be representative of the Holy Mother - "Ipsa conteret caput tuum" The escallop shell speaks of Our Lord's Baptism, and the palm Leaves of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Above all the figure of the Lamb reminds us of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
The Baptistry
The beautiful window in the old Baptistry (now the main entrance to the church) represents the coming of the Holy spirit, the fruit of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
The predominant red represents the tongues as it were of fire on Pentecost.
The praying hand represents both the disciples with Mary praying in the Upper Room before the coming of the Spirit, and the prayers of all humanity for God to pour out the Spirit upon his people.
The Chi-Rho symbol (the first two letters of Christ in Greek) represents Christ who with the Father ends the Spirit.
At the bottom note the blue water (of Baptism) with fish swimming in it - representing Christ, who gives life through the waters of baptism.
The Four Evangelists
The Numeral IV suggest the Four Evangelists, the four Major Prophets, the four Latin Fathers, the four corners of the earth, which all point to the Gospel spreading over the world and the univrsal Church.
The green colour of this window suggests growth incorporating the fountain of the water of life - shown encircling the globe, and the Cross and Orb indicating the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.
Christ the Living Water is symbolised by a basin and a cup. A book suggests the living Word of God. A fish with the Greek word for 'fish', IXOYE, the letters of which stand for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour", is the early secret sign of the Christians.
The Passion of Our Lord
This window is devoted to the passion of Our Blessed Lord.
The numbers suggest the five wounds of Christ and the yellow colours are symbolic of treachery and betrayal.
The pillar and scourges, the ladder , spear, nails, dice and chalice of Gethsemane are all depicted in this beautiful window.
Our Lord's Crucifixion
The Numeral VI suggests the Six Hours spent by Our Lord on the Cross.
The window suggets the confusion of heaven and earth by the awful event of Our Lord's crucifixion.
The heavenly bodies are disturbed, earth is darkened, and against this background there stand out three crosses (two in green and the central one wreathed ina crown of thorns, - speaking of love and sacfifice. Above it are the letters INRI (Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews).
ThE Cock, reminding us of betrayal, can be seen (bottom left); the lantern; the winding sheet on the red cross, and on it five ruby pieces that look like drops of blood (centre right) indicating the Five Wounds of our Lord.
These are the main symbols depicted on the windows but as one studies them in detail other symbolic details will be revealed.
St. Peter
The rooster and crossed keys
St. Andrew
A cross and saltire and two fish
St. James
Pilgrim staff and sword of martyrdom displayed with saltire
St. John
Sword - the sword of the Spirit
St. Philip
The Patriarchal cross and spear suggesting his martyrdom and two loaves
recalling his part in Our Lord's miracle of feeding the multitude
St. Bartholomew
The playing symbolising the manner of his death
St. Thomas
The Patron Saint of builders - is typified by a builders square. The stones
spear and screws indicate his martyrdom
St. Matthew
The battle axe and three money bags - signals of his original calling
St. James The Less
Stones and saw represent how he was stoned and sawn to death
St. Jude
The great missionary activities are indicatedby a sailing boat with cross
shaped masts
St. Simon
Companion of St.Jude on his missionary journey, is symbolised by a fish and
and a hook - a fisher of men through the power of the Gospel - an oar and
a battle axe - suggest his travels and conflicts for the Faith
Judas
The betrayer of Our Lord is indicated by the rope in the form of the letter
J - suggestive of his suicide and thirty pieces of silver - reward for his
faithlessness
