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From
a shell comes living (moving) water. In the maritime
world, shells were known to bring forth life and so
early Christians used shells to perform the Sacrament
of Baptism. Baptism by immersion, i.e. pouring water
over the whole person while standing in water, was the
normal practice of the early Church. A lighted candle
has also been placed above the shell. Baptism has been
called the "Sacrament of Enlightenment." A
lighted candle is given in the baptismal ritual as a
reminder that the newly baptized are always to walk
as children of the light. |
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Confirmation Window
The
symbol for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a seven-flamed
fire coming from a lighted lamp. As Confirmation is
believed to bestow the grace of the Holy Spirit to confirm
a person’s initiation into the life of Christ
and His Church. The fire with seven tips of flame symbolizes
the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding,
counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the
Lord. The prophet Isaiah tells us that these gifts belong
in their fullness to Christ, the Son of David (Is 11:1-2).
The lamp from which the fire emanates is an ancient
symbol for the Jewish people of the divine presence.
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The
Marriage Window
The
symbol used for the Sacrament of Marriage shows a
cross entwined with two rings rooted in the human
heart. This is the so-called "marriage cross"
and has become a contemporary symbol of the Sacrament
of Marriage. The heart is a traditional sign of human
love while the rings are linked as a sign that "the
two shall become one." These are the words of
God in the Book of Genesis (2:24) which are quoted
by Jesus in the Gospels. The rings surround the cross
to symbolize the sacrifice that Christ has made for
his bride, the Church (see Eph 5) and, therefore,
symbolizes the sacrifice that husbands and wives must
make in their marriage.
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| The
Eucharist Window
The customary symbols
of wheat and grapes are used to represent the bread
and wine that become the Body and Blood of Christ. This
window is at the center of the sacramental windows to
show that the Eucharist is the center of our lives as
Christians. The letters "IHC" in the host
are the first three letters of the name of Jesus in
a romanized Greek script. |
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The
Holy Orders Window
The
open book symbolizes the Bible and is opened so that
the Word of Life may be proclaimed. It is covered with
a priest’s stole (the symbol of ordained ministry
in the Church) and a pastoral staff (symbol of the bishop’s
ministry). The candle reminds the ordained that they
are to bear the light of Christ in their ministry. The
letters "V-D-M-A" stand for the Latin phrase
"Verbum Dei manet (in) aeternum" – "The
Word of God is eternal."
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| The
Penance Window
The
crossed keys are the traditional sign of the Sacrament
of Reconciliation and Penance. The "ministry of
the keys" was entrusted to Peter by Jesus (see
Mt 16:19). The sprig of hyssop is an ancient Jewish
symbol used in the Old Testament to sprinkle blood or
water upon people as a sign of being cleansed from all
impurities in the sight of God.
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The
Anointing Window
The
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is symbolized
by a vessel which holds olive oil. The container is
patterned after a typical one that would have been
used in Jesus’ time. Olive branches also are
employed as signs of peace. The Sacrament conveys
the grace of peace and healing to the sick. The candle
emphasizes the presence of Christ in the lives of
the sick.
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