Our Stained Glass Windows - Our Lady of Alta Gracias

OUR STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHAPEL

OUR LADY OF ALTAGRACIA

This was the Seventh Window installed in our Chapel. It was dedicated in honor of Our Lady of Alta Gracias and donated in memory of Saturnino & Agueda Espinal.

The center image is a Nativity scene.

Our Lady of Altagracia is know as Our Lady of the Highest Grace. She is the protector and Queen of the Dominican Republic. It depicts Mary as wearing a fine robe decorated with pearls and stars as a sign of her Queenship. St. Joseph is in the background protecting both baby Jesus and Mary. Jesus is lying in the manger and His hands are opened towards Mary. Jesus bestows upon her abundant grace so that she may Mother her many children who turn to her in their needs. Our Lady's prayerful attitude, head slightly inclined and hands folded in prayer, shows a prayerful reverence towards Jesus.
Legend says that the pious daughter of a rich merchant asked him to bring her a portrait of Our Lady of Altagracia from Santo Domingo, but no one had heard of that title. The merchant, staying overnight at a friend's house in Higuey, described his problem as they sat outdoors after dinner. An old man with a long beard, passed by, pulled a rolled up painting from his pack, gave it to the merchant and said, "This is what you are looking for." It was the Virgin of Altagracia. They gave the old man a place to stay for the night, but by dawn he was gone and never seen again. The merchant placed the image on their mantle, but it repeatedly disappeared only to be found outside. They finally donated it to a church.
The original image is 13 inches by 18 inches and is painted on cloth. It is believed that it was painted around 1500. The first shrine in honor of Our Lady of Altagracia was finished in 1572. The image was crowned on August 15th, 1922. It was restored in 1978 and Pope John Paul II crowned the image with a gold and silver tiara on January 25th, 1979.

The image of the Cathedral located in Higuey, Dominican Republic. Designed by two French architects, Dunover de Segonazc y Dupre, it was built on the grounds of an old church, during the constitutional period of 1974 to 1978. It is one of the most significant religious monuments of the country and houses the image of Our Lady of la Altagracia.

All of the new Stained Glass window have emblems of New York City, starting with the image of the Chrysler Building at the top. The Chrysler Building is one of the best know and classic example of Art Deco skyscrapers in New York City. It was the world's tallest building for 11 months until that title was claimed by the Empire State Building in 1931.

All of the new Stained Glass window have emblems of New York City, slightly below the image of the Chrysler Building, we find the Empire State Building behind a church spire on both the left and right sides of the window. The Empire State Building is one of the best know buildings in New York City. An Art Deco skyscraper, it stood as the world's tallest building for over forty years. It has been named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It is especially known for it's lights and King Kong.

The baby Jesus swaddled in the manager in Bethlehem.

St. Joseph, the protector of the Holy Family watching over Jesus & Mary just as he watches over our church.

Antonio, our angel who takes diligent and loving care of St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

Tracy, a dedicated Altar Server who is adored by her parents...

Additional images of devotee's of Our Lady of Alta Gracias

Click below to return to the main Chapel Window

CHAPEL

Two Churches Joining as ONE Family Together in Love		Our Stained Glass Windows
Two Churches Joining as ONE Family Together in Love
		OUR STAINED GLASS WINDOWS ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CHAPEL OUR LADY OF ALTAGRACIA This was the Seventh Window installed in our Chapel. It was dedicated in honor of Our Lady of Alta Gracias and donated in memory of Saturnino & Agueda Espinal. The center image is a Nativity scene. i. Our Lady of Altagracia is know as Our Lady of the Highest Grace. She is the protector and Queen of the Dominican Republic. It depicts Mary as wearing a fine robe decorated with pearls and stars as a sign of her Queenship. St. Joseph is in the background protecting both baby Jesus and Mary. Jesus is lying in the manger and His hands are opened towards Mary. Jesus bestows upon her abundant grace so that she may Mother her many children who turn to her in their needs. Our Lady's prayerful attitude, head slightly inclined and hands folded in prayer, shows a prayerful reverence towards Jesus. Legend says that the pious daughter of a rich merchant asked him to bring her a portrait of Our Lady of Altagracia from Santo Domingo, but no one had heard of that title. The merchant, staying overnight at a friend's house in Higuey, described his problem as they sat outdoors after dinner. An old man with a long beard, passed by, pulled a rolled up painting from his pack, gave it to the merchant and said, "This is what you are looking for." It was the Virgin of Altagracia. They gave the old man a place to stay for the night, but by dawn he was gone and never seen again. The merchant placed the image on their mantle, but it repeatedly disappeared only to be found outside. They finally donated it to a church. The original image is 13 inches by 18 inches and is painted on cloth. It is believed that it was painted around 1500. The first shrine in honor of Our Lady of Altagracia was finished in 1572. The image was crowned on August 15th, 1922. It was restored in 1978 and Pope John Paul II crowned the image with a gold and silver tiara on January 25th, 1979. The image of the Cathedral located in Higuey, Dominican Republic. Designed by two French architects, Dunover de Segonazc y Dupre, it was built on the grounds of an old church, during the constitutional period of 1974 to 1978. It is one of the most significant religious monuments of the country and houses the image of Our Lady of la Altagracia. All of the new Stained Glass window have emblems of New York City, starting with the image of the Chrysler Building at the top. The Chrysler Building is one of the best know and classic example of Art Deco skyscrapers in New York City. It was the world's tallest building for 11 months until that title was claimed by the Empire State Building in 1931. All of the new Stained Glass window have emblems of New York City, slightly below the image of the Chrysler Building, we find the Empire State Building behind a church spire on both the left and right sides of the window. The Empire State Building is one of the best know buildings in New York City. An Art Deco skyscraper, it stood as the world's tallest building for over forty years. It has been named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It is especially known for it's lights and King Kong. The baby Jesus swaddled in the manager in Bethlehem. St. Joseph, the protector of the Holy Family watching over Jesus & Mary just as he watches over our church. Antonio, our angel who takes diligent and loving care of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Tracy, a dedicated Altar Server who is adored by her parents... Additional images of devotee's of Our Lady of Alta Gracias . Click below to return to the main Chapel Window CHAPEL







































































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