Our Stained Glass Windows

OUR STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

Historically, Stained Glass Windows with their sparkling light and radiant colors have been used by the Catholic Church as a teaching tool while at the same time providing spiritual inspiration to all who view them! In fact they were sermons which "reached the heart through the eyes instead of entering at the ears." For centuries, the story of our Faith has been passed on through our Stained Glass windows.

The patron saint of our church is St. Thomas Aquinas, therefore most of our windows have either an Eucharistic or a Dominican theme.

CHURCH VESTIBULE:

THE MIDDLE DOOR

Over our Middle door is a cross with a center depicting the Holy Spirit showering his gifts on our church, surrounded by 4 medallions honoring the 4 Evangelists.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

One of the most common symbols of the Holy Spirit is a DOVE. it comes from the story of Jesus' Baptism, when the Spirit of God descended on Him....

Matthew 3:16 "After Jesus was baptized, He came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming upon Him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'"

Mark 1:10 "On coming up out of the Water He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him. And a voice came from the heavens, 'You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.'

Luke 3:22 "After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended up0on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.'"

John 1:32 "John testified further, saying, 'I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon Him. I did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that He is the Son of God.'"

COME HOLY SPIRIT, FILL THE HEARTS OF YOUR FAITHFUL AND KINDLE IN THEM THE FIRE OF YOUR LOVE. SEND FORTH YOUR SPIRIT AND THEY SHALL BE CREATED. AND YOU SHALL RENEW THEFACE OF THE EARTH.

O, GOD, WHO BY THE LIGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, DID INSTRUCT THE HEARTS OF THE FAITHFUL, GRANT BY THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT WE MAY BE TRULY WISE AND EVER ENJOY HIS CONSOLATIONS. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN

SAINT MATTHEW

Saint Matthew's Symbol is an angel, because the first story he tells in his gospel is about how an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream.

Matthew 1:18-21 "Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home, For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.'"

O GLORIOUS SAINT MATTHEW, IN YOUR GOSPEL YOU PORTRAY JESUS AS THE LONGED FOR MESSIAH WHO FULFILLED THE PROPHETS OF THE OLD COVENANT AND AS THE NEW LAWGIVER WHO FOUNDED A CHURCH OF THE NEW COVENANT. OBTAIN FOR US THE GRACE TO SEE JESUS LIVING IN HIS CHURCH AND TO FOLLOW HIS TEACHINGS IN OUR LIVES ON EARTH SO THAT WE MAY LIVE FOREVER WITH HIM IN HEAVEN. AMEN"

SAINT MARK

Mark's symbol is a lion, because his Gospel begins with John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness.
Mark 1:1-4 "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (the Son of God). As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 'Behold, I am sending My messenger ahead of You; he will prepare Your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.'' John the Baptist appeared in the he desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
ALMIGHTY GOD, WHO BY THE HAND OF MARK THE EVANGELIST HAVE GIVEN TO YOUR CHURCH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD: WE THANK YOU FOR THIS WITNESS, AND PRAY THAT WE MAY BE FIRMLY GROUNDED IN ITS TRUTH; THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN

SAINT LUKE

Luke's symbol is an ox, because his Gospel begins with Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, offering sacrifice in the temple at Jerusalem.
Luke 1:5-9 "In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. but they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and both were advance in years. Once when he was serving as priest in his division's turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.
ALMIGHTY GOD, WHO INSPIRED YOUR SERVANT LUKE THE PHYSICIAN TO SET FORTH IN THE GOSPEL THE LOVE AND HEALING POWER OF YOUR SON: GRACIOUSLY CONTINUE IN YOUR CHURCH THE LOVE AND POWER TO HEAL, TO THE PRAISE AND GLORY OF YOUR NAME, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. AMEN.

SAINT JOHN

John's symbol is an eagle, because his writing “soars” to the mystical heights of heavenly things, and doesn’t spend much time on the ground!
John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through Him, and without Him nothing came to be. What came to be through Him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
MERCIFUL LORD, WE BESEECH YOU TO CAST YOUR BRIGHT BEAMS OF LIGHT UPON YOUR CHURCH, THAT IT BEING ENLIGHTENED BY THE DOCTRINE OF YOUR BLESSED APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST SAINT JOHN MAY SO WALK IN THE LIGHT OF YOUR TRUTH, THAT IT MAY AT LENGTH ATTAIN TO THE LIGHT OF EVERLASTING LIFE. THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. AMEN

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS

The corners of the window in the Center Entrance to our Church honor our Patron - St. Thomas Aquinas. On the right as you enter into the church is a cross with a "T" in the Center. On the left as you enter into the church is a cross with an "A" in the center. "T"homas "A"quinas.....

ENTRANCE DOOR IHS SYMBOL

IHS is a Greek monogram for the Holy Name of Jesus Christ which has carried over to the Latin. Towards the close of the Middle Ages IHS became a symbol , quite like the chi-rho in the Constantinian period. Sometimes above the H appears a cross and underneath three nails, while the whole figure is surrounded by rays. St. Ignatius of Loyola adopted the monogram in his seal as General of the Society of Jesus in 1541, and thus it became the emblem of the Jesuits.

IHS SYMBOL

IHS is a Greek monogram for the Holy Name of Jesus Christ.

IHS WINDOW - CROWN CIRCLE

The crown symbolized that Jesus is King.

ENTRANCE DOOR MR SYMBOL

MR is a monogram for Maria Regina, Mary the Queen.

HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, MOTHER OF MERCY, HAIL, OUR LIFE, OUR SWEETNESS AND OUR HOPE. TO YOU DO WE CRY, POOR BANISHED CHILDREN OF EVE: TO YOU DO WE SEND UP OUR SIGHS, MOURNING AND WEEPING IN THIS VALE OF TEARS. TURN THEN, MOST GRACIOUS ADVOCATE, YOUR EYES OF MERCY TOWARD US, AND AFTER THIS OUR EXILE, SHOW UNTO US THE BLESSED FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB, JESUS, O CLEMENT, O LOVING, O SWEET VIRGIN MARY! AMEN

MR WINDOW - MR CIRCLE

The intertwined MR monogram at the center of the window.

MR WINDOW - CROSS SHIELD

The Cross Shield - by this sign shall you conquer.

MR WINDOW - ROSE SHIELD

The Rose Shield - seems to resemble the Scotch Rose. In Glastonbury, England, it is told that Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man who provided the tomb for Jesus' burial, raised the first Christian church to the Blessed Virgin. This church was destroyed during the Reformation but a rose still grows on the spot, blooming all winter and at Christmas time.

VESTIBULE WINDOW - PORTA COELI

Window in the Vestibule - with Latin Word Porta Coeli - meaning the Gateway to Heaven.

THE MIDDLE DOOR
BETWEEN THE VESTIBULE AND THE NAVE OF THE CHURCH

As you pass through the main door between the vestibule and the nave of the church there is a memorial cross donated by the Duffy Family. The dedication follows:

WINDOW BETWEEN THE VESTIBULE AND THE RECTORY

This stunning window is located between the Rectory and the Church vestibule. It was donated by the Marcario Family in honor of the patrons of our Parish Holy Family St. Thomas Aquinas and John & Mary Barclay & Jack & Dolores Marcario. It depicts the patrons of our merged parish and honors the many years of faithful service that occured for South Brooklyn by both parish communities of Holy Family & St. Thomas Aquinas.

The center image is the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, our Blessed Mother & St. Joseph, spouse of Mary and foster father of Jesus.

St. Joseph has one arm around the seated Blessed Mother, protecting both Jesus and her. In his other arm he holds a lily. The lily is associated with St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, through an ancient legend that he was so chosen from among other men by the blossoming of his staff like a lily. Likewise, the biblical passage, "The just man shall blossom like the lily" is applied to St. Joseph in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church for his feastday, March 19. The lily is also a sign of St. Joseph's purity. St. Joseph is depicted in his traditional colors of green and brown. Both Joseph and the Blessed Mother are depicted with halo's (nimbus') showing the light emanating from God through them.
The Blessed Mother is seated and hold the child Jesus in her lap. She is garbed in a red robe covered by a royal blue mantle. Since the 10th century blue and red ahve been the prominent colors for Mary. Blue is the color of the heavens and represent Mary's role as Queen of Heaven and earth. Red is the color of Kings and point to her nobility and elevated state. Red is also considered to be an anticipation of suffering and passion.
The child Jesus sits on His Mother's lap, wearing a white robe depicting his purity. His halo (nimbus) contains a cross which symbolizes our redemption through the cross. His arms are open ready to welcome us with a hug.

The next image is of St. Thomas Aquinas...

St. Thomas Aquinas is depicted wearing his Domincan habit of black & white with his halo (nimbus) showing the light emanating from God through him. He is holding a book which tells us about his great wisdom and many writings. He is gesturing towards both the Holy Family, leading us to Christ and to the lilies indicating his purity of heart .

Click through on any of the links below to view our beautiful windows in other areas of our church:

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 Historically, Stained Glass Windows with their sparkling light and radiant colors have been used by the Catholic Church as a teaching tool while at the same time providing spiritual inspiration to all who view them! In fact they were sermons which "reached the heart through the eyes instead of entering at the ears." For centuries, the story of our Faith has been passed on through our Stained Glass windows. The patron saint of our church is St. Thomas Aquinas, therefore most of our windows have either an Eucharistic or a Dominican theme. CHURCH VESTIBULE: THE MIDDLE DOOR Over our Middle door is a cross with a center depicting the Holy Spirit showering his gifts on our church, surrounded by 4 medallions honoring the 4 Evangelists. THE HOLY SPIRIT One of the most common symbols of the Holy Spirit is a DOVE. it comes from the story of Jesus' Baptism, when the Spirit of God descended on Him.... Matthew 3:16 "After Jesus was baptized, He came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming upon Him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'" Mark 1:10 "On coming up out of the Water He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him. And a voice came from the heavens, 'You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.' Luke 3:22 "After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended up0on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, 'You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.'" John 1:32 "John testified further, saying, 'I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon Him. I did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that He is the Son of God.'" COME HOLY SPIRIT, FILL THE HEARTS OF YOUR FAITHFUL AND KINDLE IN THEM THE FIRE OF YOUR LOVE. SEND FORTH YOUR SPIRIT AND THEY SHALL BE CREATED. AND YOU SHALL RENEW THEFACE OF THE EARTH. O, GOD, WHO BY THE LIGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, DID INSTRUCT THE HEARTS OF THE FAITHFUL, GRANT BY THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT WE MAY BE TRULY WISE AND EVER ENJOY HIS CONSOLATIONS. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN SAINT MATTHEW Saint Matthew's Symbol is an angel, because the first story he tells in his gospel is about how an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. Matthew 1:18-21 "Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home, For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.'" O GLORIOUS SAINT MATTHEW, IN YOUR GOSPEL YOU PORTRAY JESUS AS THE LONGED FOR MESSIAH WHO FULFILLED THE PROPHETS OF THE OLD COVENANT AND AS THE NEW LAWGIVER WHO FOUNDED A CHURCH OF THE NEW COVENANT. OBTAIN FOR US THE GRACE TO SEE JESUS LIVING IN HIS CHURCH AND TO FOLLOW HIS TEACHINGS IN OUR LIVES ON EARTH SO THAT WE MAY LIVE FOREVER WITH HIM IN HEAVEN. AMEN" SAINT MARK Mark's symbol is a lion, because his Gospel begins with John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness. Mark 1:1-4 "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (the Son of God). As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 'Behold, I am sending My messenger ahead of You; he will prepare Your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.'' John the Baptist appeared in the he desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." ALMIGHTY GOD, WHO BY THE HAND OF MARK THE EVANGELIST HAVE GIVEN TO YOUR CHURCH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD: WE THANK YOU FOR THIS WITNESS, AND PRAY THAT WE MAY BE FIRMLY GROUNDED IN ITS TRUTH; THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN SAINT LUKE Luke's symbol is an ox, because his Gospel begins with Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, offering sacrifice in the temple at Jerusalem. Luke 1:5-9 "In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. but they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and both were advance in years. Once when he was serving as priest in his division's turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. ALMIGHTY GOD, WHO INSPIRED YOUR SERVANT LUKE THE PHYSICIAN TO SET FORTH IN THE GOSPEL THE LOVE AND HEALING POWER OF YOUR SON: GRACIOUSLY CONTINUE IN YOUR CHURCH THE LOVE AND POWER TO HEAL, TO THE PRAISE AND GLORY OF YOUR NAME, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. AMEN. SAINT JOHN John's symbol is an eagle, because his writing “soars” to the mystical heights of heavenly things, and doesn’t spend much time on the ground! John 1:1-5 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through Him, and without Him nothing came to be. What came to be through Him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." MERCIFUL LORD, WE BESEECH YOU TO CAST YOUR BRIGHT BEAMS OF LIGHT UPON YOUR CHURCH, THAT IT BEING ENLIGHTENED BY THE DOCTRINE OF YOUR BLESSED APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST SAINT JOHN MAY SO WALK IN THE LIGHT OF YOUR TRUTH, THAT IT MAY AT LENGTH ATTAIN TO THE LIGHT OF EVERLASTING LIFE. THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. AMEN SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS N. The corners of the window in the Center Entrance to our Church honor our Patron - St. Thomas Aquinas. On the right as you enter into the church is a cross with a "T" in the Center. On the left as you enter into the church is a cross with an "A" in the center. "T"homas "A"quinas..... ENTRANCE DOOR IHS SYMBOL IHS is a Greek monogram for the Holy Name of Jesus Christ which has carried over to the Latin. Towards the close of the Middle Ages IHS became a symbol , quite like the chi-rho in the Constantinian period. Sometimes above the H appears a cross and underneath three nails, while the whole figure is surrounded by rays. St. Ignatius of Loyola adopted the monogram in his seal as General of the Society of Jesus in 1541, and thus it became the emblem of the Jesuits. IHS SYMBOL IHS is a Greek monogram for the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. IHS WINDOW - CROWN CIRCLE The crown symbolized that Jesus is King. ENTRANCE DOOR MR SYMBOL MR is a monogram for Maria Regina, Mary the Queen. HAIL, HOLY QUEEN, MOTHER OF MERCY, HAIL, OUR LIFE, OUR SWEETNESS AND OUR HOPE. TO YOU DO WE CRY, POOR BANISHED CHILDREN OF EVE: TO YOU DO WE SEND UP OUR SIGHS, MOURNING AND WEEPING IN THIS VALE OF TEARS. TURN THEN, MOST GRACIOUS ADVOCATE, YOUR EYES OF MERCY TOWARD US, AND AFTER THIS OUR EXILE, SHOW UNTO US THE BLESSED FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB, JESUS, O CLEMENT, O LOVING, O SWEET VIRGIN MARY! AMEN MR WINDOW - MR CIRCLE The intertwined MR monogram at the center of the window. MR WINDOW - CROSS SHIELD The Cross Shield - by this sign shall you conquer. MR WINDOW - ROSE SHIELD The Rose Shield - seems to resemble the Scotch Rose. In Glastonbury, England, it is told that Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man who provided the tomb for Jesus' burial, raised the first Christian church to the Blessed Virgin. This church was destroyed during the Reformation but a rose still grows on the spot, blooming all winter and at Christmas time. VESTIBULE WINDOW - PORTA COELI Window in the Vestibule - with Latin Word Porta Coeli - meaning the Gateway to Heaven. THE MIDDLE DOOR BETWEEN THE VESTIBULE AND THE NAVE OF THE CHURCH As you pass through the main door between the vestibule and the nave of the church there is a memorial cross donated by the Duffy Family. The dedication follows: WINDOW BETWEEN THE VESTIBULE AND THE RECTORY This stunning window is located between the Rectory and the Church vestibule. It was donated by the Marcario Family in honor of the patrons of our Parish Holy Family St. Thomas Aquinas and John & Mary Barclay & Jack & Dolores Marcario. It depicts the patrons of our merged parish and honors the many years of faithful service that occured for South Brooklyn by both parish communities of Holy Family & St. Thomas Aquinas. . The center image is the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, our Blessed Mother & St. Joseph, spouse of Mary and foster father of Jesus. St. Joseph has one arm around the seated Blessed Mother, protecting both Jesus and her. In his other arm he holds a lily. The lily is associated with St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, through an ancient legend that he was so chosen from among other men by the blossoming of his staff like a lily. Likewise, the biblical passage, "The just man shall blossom like the lily" is applied to St. Joseph in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church for his feastday, March 19. The lily is also a sign of St. Joseph's purity. St. Joseph is depicted in his traditional colors of green and brown. Both Joseph and the Blessed Mother are depicted with halo's (nimbus') showing the light emanating from God through them. The Blessed Mother is seated and hold the child Jesus in her lap. She is garbed in a red robe covered by a royal blue mantle. Since the 10th century blue and red ahve been the prominent colors for Mary. Blue is the color of the heavens and represent Mary's role as Queen of Heaven and earth. Red is the color of Kings and point to her nobility and elevated state. Red is also considered to be an anticipation of suffering and passion. The child Jesus sits on His Mother's lap, wearing a white robe depicting his purity. His halo (nimbus) contains a cross which symbolizes our redemption through the cross. His arms are open ready to welcome us with a hug. The next image is of St. Thomas Aquinas... . St. Thomas Aquinas is depicted wearing his Domincan habit of black & white with his halo (nimbus) showing the light emanating from God through him. He is holding a book which tells us about his great wisdom and many writings. He is gesturing towards both the Holy Family, leading us to Christ and to the lilies indicating his purity of heart . Click through on any of the links below to view our beautiful windows in other areas of our church: CHURCH SANCTUARY CHOIR LOFT CHURCH NAVE CHAPEL








































































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