Mother of Sorrows Parish at Catawba Avenue, Put-in-Bay, OH 43456 US - WINDOWS
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WINDOWS |
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On the left (north) wall of the church begin the first of the seven SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY windows. These windows were installed in 1959. The glass in the windows is known as faceted glass. Large slabs of colored glass were cast into thick sheets. These were then broken into desired sizes and shaped with hammer and chisel, much like a mason would shape a stone. Then the artist cut one or more facets on the surface of the glass. This creates numerous prisms and allows sunlight to be refracted. A filler joins the individual pieces of faceted glass to produce the finished window which is in reality a transparent mosaic.
The artists, who constructed the faceted seven WORKS OF MERCY windows, chose as examples the lives of various Saints to portray their message. The appropriateness of each will become apparent as their story unfolds.
The first window on the left side is titled TO BEAR WRONGS PATIENTLY, and shows the Martyrs of Uganda. The first Catholic missions to Uganda in 1879 resulted in many converts. The next ruler, Mwanga, persecuted the new Christians, and asked them to renounce their faith. Nineteen men, fifteen under the age of 25, refused, were arrested and executed. Within a year after their deaths the number of Baptisms rose from less than 200 to over 500, and catechists from 800 to 3000.
TO FORGIVE ALL INJURIES is represented by the image of St. Maria Goretti. Maria was born in 1890 of very poor but extremely devout Christian parents. In this environment, Maria acquired a habit of prayer, simplicity of life, and generosity towards others. A young male neighbor frequently tried to force his attentions on her, but she rejected his advances. He savagely stabbed her in his anger. When she regained consciousness she said, "I forgive him. For the love of Jesus I forgive him. In heaven I will pray for him. May God forgive him." She died a few hours later at the age of 12.
The last window on the left is TO PRAY FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, and depicts the story of St. Monica. Monica was the mother of Augustine, a very brilliant but rebellious young man. Augustine fell into sinful ways for over 20 years beginning when he was sent to the Universities at Carthage and Rome. Monica followed him whenever she could, praying for him to abandon his sinful life. Finally he was baptized by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Augustine attributed his conversion to his mother, calling himself the "son of so many tears". He is now known as St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.