St. Catherine of Sienna had a vision in which the infant
Jesus presented her with a wedding ring whereby she became a mystical bride of
Christ; this window recalls that vision.
The images in the two panels of this window depict the Blessed Virgin Mary, the
Infant Jesus and St. Catherine of Sienna. The location of this window is
directly opposite, and in a way mirrors the window depicting St. Dominic de
Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order of which Catherine was a member.
Catherine (celebrated on April 29th) was the daughter of Giacomo di Benincasa
and his wife Lapa, parents of twenty-six children. Catherine was born in 1347.
At a very young age, and after she had become a member of the Third Order of St.
Dominic, she had a vision in which the infant Jesus presented her with a wedding
ring whereby she became a mystical bride of Christ; this window recalls that
vision. After the vision, Catherine became very active in the world, traveling
extensively and communicating with civil and religious leaders in order to bring
the Gospel message of peace to many people. Catherine wrote extensively and
because of her work was later hailed as a “Doctor of the Church.” It is believed
that Catherine received the Stigmata, or wounds of Christ, in her own body; for
this reason she is pictured wearing a crown of thorns, a symbol of her sharing
in the very passion of Jesus Christ. Among other things, Catherine is the patron
saint of firefighters, illness, miscarriages, nursing services, people ridiculed
for their piety, sexual temptation and of sick people. This window was a gift of
the Dominican Sisters. It should be noted that the Sisters of St. Dominic have
ministered in the parish since their arrival in 1853. The Mother House of the
Dominican Sisters, Holy Cross Convent, was located at 157 Graham Avenue until
1944 when it was transferred to Amityville, New York. The Dominican Sisters have
a long tradition of service in Most Holy Trinity Parish; this window, in honor
of St. Catherine of Sienna, is a tribute to the Dominican community and the
service they have given.
The images in the two panels of this window show the Holy
Family of Joseph, Mary and the child Jesus on the left, and the child John the
Baptist with his mother Elizabeth on the right. The lamb that John the
Baptist presents to Jesus is symbolic of the Scriptural proclamation of John
about whom Jesus is, and of the fate that he will suffer; when John sees Jesus,
he proclaims: “Behold, the Lamb of God”
The images in the two panels of this window show the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary
and the child Jesus on the left, and the child John the Baptist with his mother
Elizabeth on the right. The Holy Family (celebrated on the Sunday within the
octave of Christmas) is pictured in regal robes, perhaps alluding to their noble
lineage. Joseph is pictured holding a carpenter’s square, a clear reference to
his trade. In the Scriptures no mention is made of a childhood meeting between
Jesus and John, but there is no doubt that as cousins they knew each other; the
well-known story of the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth, or the Visitation,
that occurred when both women were pregnant with their respective sons should be
recalled here (see Luke 1:39-56). Even from the womb, John the Baptist
acknowledged the greatness of Jesus (see v. 41). In this window Elizabeth
(celebrated November 5th) bows in humble recognition of the greatness of those
before her. The child John the Baptist (birth celebrated on June 24th and death
on August 29th) is pictured wearing clothing made of camel's hair–a reference to
Scriptural description of his clothing and, in this case, to the traditional
belief that he left home at a very early age in order to live in the desert. The
lamb that John the Baptist presents to Jesus is symbolic of the Scriptural
proclamation of John about whom Jesus is, and of the fate that he will suffer;
when John sees Jesus, he proclaims: “Behold, the Lamb of God” (see John 1:29).
Among other things, John the Baptist is the patron saint of baptism, bird
dealers, converts, hailstorms, lambs, monastic life, motor-ways, printers, San
Juan, Puerto Rico, spasms and tailors. Elizabeth is the patron saint of
expectant mothers. This window was a gift of
Adam and Elizabeth Schlemel.
This window depicts St. Peter and St. Paul. This
window was heavily damaged and had to be rebuilt after a fire that damaged part
of the church building in 1972. The original lower panels of this
window were lost because of the fire; consequently, the names of the donors have
also been lost.
**Parish financial records from 1884 and 1885, when money was
collected for the windows, give the names of all those who contributed, large or
small; the names of all the major donors can be now found on the windows in the
church, except the Precious Blood Society ($240.00), Rev. John Koeburle
($240.00), Mr. Crusier ($212.00) and Peter Bitterman ($250.00). There is no
doubt that before the fire, one or more of these donors’ names appeared on this
window.
The images in the two panels of this window depict the Apostles Peter and Paul.
Depicted on 10a, the left panel, is Paul holding two gold keys. The keys are
symbolic of the words of Jesus to Peter: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church . . . and I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of
Heaven” (see Matthew 16:18-19). Because of these words, Roman Catholic’s have
always believed that Jesus chose Peter, and his direct successors, to hold the
primacy of authority in the Church. For this reason, the Pope is believed to be
the Successor of Peter , the Keeper of the Keys, the Shepherds of the Church and
the Vicar of Christ. Peter is celebrated on June 29th, the feast of Peter and
Paul, February 22nd, the feast of the Chair of Peter and on November 18th, the
feast of the dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul. Among other things,
Peter is the patron saint of bakers, bridge builders, butchers, clock makers,
foot problems, fishermen, locksmiths, longevity, masons, net makers, the papacy,
shoemakers, stone masons, the Universal Church and watch makers. Depicted on
10b, the right panel, is Paul holding a sword in his right hand and a book in
his left. Paul wrote extensively and is the principal author of the New
Testament. Paul spoke of the word of God as “the Sword of the Spirit,” hence the
book and sword. Among other things, Paul is the patron saint of authors, the
Cursillo movement, evangelists, journalists, lay people, musicians, public
relations personnel, rope makers, saddle makers and writers. In addition to the
feasts days that he shares with Peter noted above, Paul is celebrated on January
25th, the commemoration of his conversion.
Nicholas became the bishop of Myra and was especially known
for his generosity toward the poor. The barrel containing the three boys recalls
an event in which the saint discovered they had been murdered, and he raised
them back to life. Nicholas is called the patron of children; because of this,
he eventually became known as “Santa Claus.” Many popular legends about Santa
Claus and the Season of Christmas have their roots in Nicholas of Myra.
The greatest story about George, known as the “Golden Legend,” says that
single-handedly, and with only one blow of his lance, he killed a ferocious
dragon that had been living in a lake and terrorizing the people near Silena,
Libya, hence a dead dragon is pictured laying at his feet.
Take closer look at the three boys featured in the window
honoring Saint Nicholas. Like this one, each window in the church is
filled with exquisite detail.
The images in the two panels of this window depict Nicholas of Myra and George,
Soldier and Martyr.
Depicted on 11a, the left
panel, is Nicholas (celebrated on December 6th) who was born in the year 346 in
Myra, in what is now modern day Turkey. Nicholas is pictured wearing a bishop’s
miter and flowing purple robes. A crosier rests in the crook of his right arm as
he points with his right index finger, an indication of his powerful teaching
authority. He holds a book in his left hand; resting on the book are three gold
balls. At the feet of the saint there is a small barrel in which there are three
young boys. Nicholas became the bishop of Myra and was especially known for his
generosity toward the poor. The three gold balls in the window recall an event
whereby the bishop threw three bags of gold into the window of a very poor man’s
house; the man was so desperate for money that he had contemplated selling his
daughters into prostitution. The gold saved the girls from a such a dreadful
life. The barrel containing the three boys recalls an event in which the saint
discovered their dead bodies hidden inside a barrel filled with salt water;
Nicholas raised the three boys to life and the crime was brought to light. These
stories about Nicholas led to him being called the patron of children; because
of this, he eventually became known as “Santa Claus.” Many popular legends about
Santa Claus and the Season of Christmas have their roots in Nicholas of Myra.
Among other things, Nicholas is the patron saint of bakers, barrel makers,
brewers, captives, children, judges, longshoremen, newlyweds, old maids,
paupers, pawnbrokers, poor people, prisoners, sailors, scholars, travelers and
unmarried girls
Depicted on 11b, the right
panel, is George (celebrated on April 23rd). The date of his birth is unknown,
yet it is believed that he was tortured and beheaded in Lydia, Palestine in the
year 304. The only certain things known about George is that he was a Roman
soldier and that he was eventually martyred for the faith. George is pictured
wearing the armor of a knight; he holds a lance in his left hand and wears a
sword at his side. In his right hand he holds a palm branch, the symbol of
martyrs. The greatest story about George, known as the “Golden Legend,” says
that single-handedly, and with only one blow of his lance, he killed a ferocious
dragon that had been living in a lake and terrorizing the people near Silena,
Libya, hence a dead dragon is pictured laying at his feet. According to the
story, great crowds of people were converted to the Christian faith because he
slaughtered the dragon. Furthermore, the prize money he received from the king
for killing the dragon was then given to the poor. George has been an extremely
popular saint throughout all of Europe. Like St. Margaret, who is pictured in
window 12a, George is known as one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers” (along with
Acathius, Barbara, Blaise, Catherine of Alexandria, Christopher, Cyriacus,
Denis, Erasmus, Eustace, Giles, Margaret of Antioch, Pantaleon and Vitus). Among
other things, George is the patron saint of archers, the Boy Scouts, butchers,
Canada, chivalry, Crusaders, England, equestrians, farmers, field hands,
Germany, Greece, knights, lepers, Malta, Palestine, Portugal, soldiers, and the
Teutonic Knights. The one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary commemoration book of
the parish, published in 1966, erroneously identifies this panel as picturing
“St. Michael.” This window was a gift of
Nicolaus Geyer and George Stelz.
The images in the two panels of this window show St.
Margaret of Antioch and St. Wenceslaus of Bohemia. Note that both saints
are pictured holding "the martyrs palm branch." In the early Christian
church the palm was adopted as a symbol of the victory of the soul over evil.
Who better accomplished this victory than the martyrs? Many of the windows
of our church picture saints who were martyred, and all of these saints are
pictured with the palm branch.
The images in the two panels of this window depict Margaret of Antioch and
Wenceslaus of Bohemia.
Depicted on 12a, the left
panel, is Margaret of Antioch (celebrated on July 20th). The date of her birth
is unknown, yet it is believed that he was tortured and beheaded at Antioch in
Pisidia (in modern day Turkey) in the year 257. Margaret’s mother died when she
was an infant, and although her father was a pagan priest, she was raised by
Christian women. Disowned by her father, Margaret embraced the Christian faith
when she was very young and later consecrated her life and her virginity to God.
According to legend, Margaret was swallowed whole by the devil in the form of a
dragon, but it expelled her because she carried a cross that caused great
discomfort to the beast; she escaped unharmed. Margaret was martyred because she
refused the advances of a Roman prefect who had been captivated by her great
beauty; because of this, she was brought to trial and denounced as a Christian.
Because she then refused to give up her faith, unsuccessful attempts were made
first to burn and then to boil her alive; finally, Margaret was martyred by
beheading. Like St. George, who is pictured in window 11b, Margaret is known as
one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers.” She is pictured holding the martyr’s palm
branch in her right hand and a book in her left. Her flowing white robes are a
symbol of her virginal purity. The legendary dragon is pictured at her feet.
Among other things, Margaret is the patron saint of dying people, escape from
devils, exiles, expectant mothers, falsely accused people, kidney disease,
martyrs, nurses, peasants, safe childbirth and women. The reason the virgin
Saint Margaret is the patron saint of expectant mothers and safe childbirth is
associated with her legendary experience of escaping from the belly of the
dragon.
Depicted on 12b, the right
panel, is Wenceslaus, also known as Vaclav, (celebrated on September 28th) who
was born in the year 907 in Prague, Bohemia (in the modern day Czech Republic).
Wenceslaus is pictured holding the martyr’s palm branch in his right hand and a
large sheathed sword in his left; he is wearing very regal robes, gold jewelry
and a king’s crown. Wenceslaus was the child of a Christian father and a pagan
mother; his paternal grandmother and teacher was St. Ludmilla (860-921). When
his father Duke Wratislaw died, his mother Dragomir took over the government and
began to oppress the Christian faith. Rebelling against Dragomir, the people
revolted and successfully demanded that Wenceslaus be given control of the
duchy. Wenceslaus aligned himself with Germany and the Christian Emperor Otto I,
who gave him the title of king. For both political and religious reasons,
Dragomir and her other son Boleslaw, also a pagan, plotted the murder of
Wenceslaus in the year 935. At the door to a church, Boleslaw confronted
Wenceslaus, killed him and then cut the body into pieces; Wenceslaus had been on
his way to attend mass. The large sword pictured in the window is symbolic of
the violent death that Wenceslaus endured. Boleslaw eventually repented of his
crime and had the remains of his brother entombed at the Church of St. Vitus in
Prague. To this day Wenceslaus is reverenced as the patron of the Czech
Republic; his crown is regarded as a symbol of Czech nationalism. Wenceslaus is
the patron saint of Bohemia, brewers, the Czech Republic, Moravia and Prague.
The one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary commemoration book of the parish,
published in 1966, erroneously identifies this panel as picturing “St.
Sebastian.” This window was a gift of
the Hanselmann Family.
The images in the two panels of this window depict St.
Patrick of Ireland and St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr. Patrick is also
associated with the green shamrock; according to tradition, he used the three
leaves of the shamrock to teach about the Christian concept of three persons in
one God, the Most Holy Trinity, hence the shamrock pictured in this window.
Stephen is believed to have been martyred in the year 33. He is pictured holding
the martyr’s palm branch in his right hand and a thurible in his left, and he
wears the vestments of a deacon. The saint is pictured as a very young man,
without facial hair–perhaps symbolic of his role as the “first martyr of the
primitive church.
Legend says that Patrick drove all of the snakes from
Ireland: this refers to the symbolic use of snakes by the pagan Druid priests;
Patrick converted the pagans and therefore eliminated their religion in Ireland,
hence the symbol of the snake.
The images in the two panels of this window depict St. Patrick of Ireland and
St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr.
Depicted on 13a, the left
panel, is Patrick (celebrated on March 17th), known as “The Apostle of Ireland.”
He is pictured wearing the robes and miter of a bishop. A mortally wounded snake
is entwined around the base of the crozier that rests in the crook of his left
arm; he holds a shamrock in his left hand and points to it with his right index
finger. Interesting to note is the green halo encircling his head–a color
typically associated with Ireland. Patrick was born in England or Scotland
around the year 389. The name given to him at birth was Maewyn Succat. At the
age of sixteen he was captured and sold into slavery in Ireland, where he
labored as a shepherd until the age of twenty-two, when he escaped and returned
to his family on the British mainland. During the time of his enslavement he had
developed a deep spiritual life and soon after his return to his family he
decided to pursue a calling to the priesthood. The young Maewyn Succat traveled
to France where he stayed for fifteen years, during which time he lived and
studied in monasteries, was ordained to the priesthood and continued to develop
his spiritual life. In 432 Pope Celestine ordained him a bishop, gave him the
name Patrick, and sent him to evangelize England and Ireland. Patrick tirelessly
evangelized all of Ireland for almost thirty years; he won many converts from
the Druid religion and the island became solidly Roman Catholic . Patrick died
in 461in County Down, Ireland (in what is now the northern part of Ireland
occupied by the British). Legend says that Patrick drove all of the snakes from
Ireland, definitely a myth as the climate of Ireland was never conducive to
snakes. Actually this legend refers to the symbolic use of snakes by the pagan
Druid priests (snakes being associated with fertility and wells); Patrick
converted the pagans and therefore eliminated their religion in Ireland, hence
the symbol of the mortally wounded snake that appears in this window. Patrick is
also associated with the green shamrock; according to tradition, he used the
three leaves of the shamrock to teach about the Christian concept of three
persons in one God, the Most Holy Trinity, hence the shamrock pictured in this
window. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and of many archdioceses and
dioceses throughout the world (one of which is the Archdiocese of New York to
which this parish originally belonged); he is also the patron against snakes and
snake bites and against ophidiophobia (i.e., the fear of snakes).
Depicted on 13b, the right
panel, is Stephen (celebrated on December 26th) who is believed to have been
martyred in the year 33. He is pictured holding the martyr’s palm branch in his
right hand and a thurible in his left, and he wears the vestments of a deacon.
The saint is pictured as a very young man, without facial hair–perhaps symbolic
of his role as the “first martyr of the primitive church.” All that is known
about Stephen is what is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (see chapters
6-8). Stephen was one of the original seven (along with Philip, Prochorus,
Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas) chosen by the early community to
supervise the public tables; he and the others were given this authority by the
imposition of the hands of the Twelve Apostles. Stephen was known for his
holiness, his excellent debating skill, and his ability to work signs and
wonders. Because he fearlessly preached the Gospel, he angered the Jewish
authorities, was “dragged out of the city” and stoned to death. One of those who
witnessed the martyrdom of Stephen was Saul, who would later convert to
Christianity and as “Paul” would become one of the principal authors of the New
Testament. Steven is the patron saint of casket makers, deacons, headaches,
horses and stone masons. Although it is difficult
to be sure because of the condition of the lettering on the window, it is
believed that this window was a gift of the Power Brothers.
Saint Anthony is pictured wearing the robes, Marian prayer beads,
and sandals of a Franciscan Friar; the infant Jesus rests in his right arm and
he is holding a lily with his left hand. Saint John of God is pictured
wearing the habit of his community; in his left hand he holds a large
pomegranate fruit that is surmounted by a cross.
Who is this saint?
This is the saint pictured in window 14b right next to Saint
Anthony of Padua. The one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary commemoration
book of the parish, published in 1966, erroneously identifies this panel as
picturing “St. Francis of Assisi.” Any Franciscan would immediately
recognize that this is NOT St. Francis. St. Francis is never shown with a
gray colored beard, he is always pictured with the legendary white cord with the
three knots (representing the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience).
St. Francis is often pictured with the "stigmata" or the wounds of Christ in his
own flesh. The saint pictured in our window has none of the usual telltale
symbols that would identify him as St. Francis. The saint in this window
holds some type of fruit in his left hand and has no Franciscan cord.
Perhaps the author of the anniversary book assumed it was St. Francis because he
appears next to St. Anthony in the adjoining panel. A little detective
work was able to reveal that this is St. John of God. St. John of God is
often portrayed with a pomegranate with a cross coming from it.
The pomegranate is a symbol of
charity; the cross coming out of the fruit is a symbol of the spirit of
sacrifice that springs from charity. St. John of God lived an
exemplary life of sacrifice, charity and service to those most in need. The most obvious clue that this
is John of God is that the window was a gift of St. Catherine's Hospital--St.
John of God is the patron saint of hospitals. What more appropriate gift
could the hospital have given than this!
The images in the two panels of this window depict St. Anthony of Padua and St.
John of God.
Depicted on 14a, the left
panel, is Anthony (celebrated on June 13th). He is pictured wearing the robes,
Marian prayer beads, and sandals of a Franciscan Friar; the infant Jesus rests
in his right arm and he is holding a lily with his left hand. Anthony was born
in 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal; he was given the name Ferdinand at baptism. At the
age of fifteen he joined the Order of Regular Canons of Saint Augustine (known
as Augustinians). When the relics of the first Franciscan martyrs of Africa
(namely Bernard, Peter, Otho, Accursius, and Adjutus) passed through the town in
which he lived in the year 1220, he was inspired to leave the Augustinian Order
and to become a Franciscan Friar, hoping to follow in the footsteps of the
martyrs. Although illness prevented him from going to Africa and he experienced
being shipwrecked in Sicily, he eventually went to Assisi where he is said to
have met St. Francis. At first, Anthony was unrecognized for he genius and he
busied himself praying and cleaning. One day he was asked to take the place of
an absent speaker and the audience was awed by his magnificent preaching
ability. Eventually recognized for his great intellect, Anthony was made
professor of theology, a position he held in Bologna, Toulouse, Montpellier and
Padua. He traveled extensively preaching the Gospel and the Franciscan message.
Anthony was believed to be a powerful preacher and miracle worker and was known
as the “hammer of heretics.” Anthony died on June 13, 1231. In the panel Anthony
is pictured holding the child Jesus. Legend has it that, while Anthony was
staying at the home of a nearby Count, the latter saw him through a window holding and
conversing with the Christ child. The image of Anthony holding the child is
really symbolic of his great ability to hold up the Word of God, the Sacred
Scriptures, and effectively share its message with all who heard him preach.
Anthony is pictured holding a lily in his left hand. This symbol, often
associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary, refers the her purity, innocence and
integrity, characteristics Anthony shares with Mary, about whom he also
preached. We might see in these symbols of the Christ child and of the lily that
Anthony holds up the Word of God with one hand and the Mother of God with the
other. Among other things, Anthony is the patron saint of amputees, animals,
elderly people, expectant mothers, faith in the Blessed Sacrament, fishermen,
Lisbon–Portugal, lost articles, mail, oppressed people, Padua–Italy, poor
people, Portugal, sailors, seekers of lost articles, shipwrecks, starving people
and travelers.
Depicted on 14b, the right
panel, is John of God (celebrated on March 8th). He is pictured wearing the
habit of his community; in his left hand he holds a large pomegranate fruit that
is surmounted by a cross. John was born at Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal, on March
8th,1495. As a young boy, John became a shepherd and was known for his great
responsibility, as well as his piety. When John was a young man, and because he
desired to escape the offer of his master’s daughter’s hand in marriage, he
began a long nearly twenty-year odyssey during which he traveled through Europe
and North Africa, serving as a soldier and mercenary. It is believed that during
these years John moved away from the piety of his youth and engaged in
debauchery and immorality. It is said that John went through a brief period of
mental instability and that some thought him to be insane. Gradually turning his
attention back to God, John settled in different places and began to live a life
of penance and charity. While living on Gibralter, John became involved with “the
Apostolate of the printed page,” selling books and pictures in order to spread
the Christian faith. It was on Gibralter that John experienced a vision in which
the Infant Jesus gave him the name “John of God” and told him to move to
Grenada, Spain. According to tradition, the Infant Jesus presented John with a
half-open pomegranate surmounted by a cross as he said: “John of God, Granada
will be your cross.” The pomegranate the saint is pictured holding in this
window recalls that vision–the pomegranate is a symbol of charity; the cross
coming out of the fruit is a symbol of the spirit of sacrifice that springs from
charity (the sacrifice of the cross and Christian charity being interconnected).
In Grenada John of God continued to live a life of penance and charity, taking
care of the poor, and especially those who were sick and dying. He was well
known for his successful begging on behalf of those he served. It is said that
John would often remove his own clothes and exchange them with poor people if he
came upon someone more shabbily dressed than himself; to put an end to this,
Bishop Sebastian Ramirez of Túy, in the north west of Spain invested him in the
habit he is seen wearing in this window; the same habit later adopted by the
Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, the Religious Community of which he is
the founder. John died on March 8th, 1550 as a result of an illness he
contracted while unsuccessfully attempting to save a drowning man. John is the
patron saint of alcoholics, bodily ills, bookbinders, booksellers, dying people,
firefighters, heart patients, hospitals, hospital workers, nurses, publishers,
printers and sick people. The St. Anthony panel was
a gift of Anton Schimmel; the St. John panel was a gift of St. Catherine’s
Hospital.
