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ST. PIUS X CHAPEL:
MYSTICAL BODY WINDOW |
 The artist described this work
as a “wall penetrated by
points and pieces of shimmering color.”*
Through the relationship of the individual pieces of glass, he wanted to
depict the relationship between the members of the Mystical Body and God’s
intervention in history. |
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LEFT PANEL
Abstract suggestions of
the creation of the visible, material world (see Gen 1:1-35). In the upper
left is a body suggestive of the sun:
“light and power filter down
from it, and particles and atoms and then molecules are formed.”
In the lower half of this window
“continuing through the other
panels also, in a horizontal direction, there is a ‘growth stream’ of light
blues and blue-greens. ... cell-like symbols are forming and collecting (in
red and rose colored tones). ... This is an abstracted symbol of the phyla
of life on earth; branching out in various directions, but continuing
onward.”* |
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CENTRAL
PANEL
This great star is the symbol of the Incarnation. It is the center of
history; around which is focused and streams life;
“thus is symbolized the
Mystical Body, the members of His Church, forming around Him as nucleus.”*
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RIGHT
PANEL
The members of the Mystical Body gather around the Cross, which
“reminds us of the Atonement by
which the faithful have that remission from sins which can enable them to be
members of this Mystical Body.”*
The upward sweep of this stream of life suggests the mystery of the Body
caught up in the divine action of the Holy Spirit. In the lower part of this
window (not shown) those who are not members of the Body
“disintegrate”*,
lose their unity and fall away.
“Light and power stream down on
the
[right]
side of the window-group, from Him Who is the source of all true and lasting
power.”* |
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*
Highlighted text is from notes written by the
artist |
