Stained Glass Windows Descriptions

Nativity has 24 major stained-glass windows (and 30 other smaller pieces of painted glass) which are the Cathedral's focal point. However, the ravages of time, major fires that plagued the community and devastating effects of hurricanes -- all contributed to the demise of early documentation. Consequently, the history of their origin, delivery and installation is somewhat hazy.

An historic sketch of the first century of the parish, 1843-1943, by Right Reverend Monsignor Geoffrey O'Connell, M.A. Ph.D., Litt. D., Pastor of Nativity, 1942-67, states that all the windows were purchased in Europe, donated by parishioners as memorials (inscribed on the bottom of 21 windows) and installed over a period of time from 1906 to 1943, replacing the original plain-colored glass.

Several plain-colored glass windows are examples of Munich-type glass, a style taking its name from commercial studios in Munich, Germany, but they could just as well originate most anywhere else on the continent.

Munich-type stained-glass windows characteristically depict biblical themes and life-like pictures in a monumental, three-dimensional manner. They are usually framed by pillars, canopies, trees, throne room settings, or heavy ornamental drapery. (In Munich window leading is not dictated by glass, buy simply used to hold up the glass.)

Dramatic paint tones and neutral glass colors carry the design of this style, which was popular from 1890, up to the Great Depression.

During the day, light coming into the Cathedral is softened and changed into vivid colors giving the religious atmosphere inside the Church that enables people to realize that they are on holy ground, in a world quite different from the one outside the Church. At night, when the Cathedral light glows, window colors play on nearby streets.

The Major Paeans of Color in Glass:

Above The Main Altar:

Five glass scenes, depicting the life of Jesus Christ and donated by parishioners were, as reported by The Daily Herald, January 9, 1906, created by a father-son team named Reis (Rice) in Munich, Germany.

THE ANNUNCIATION (celebrated March 25). "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, Blessed art thou among women." (Luke 1,28)

NATIVITY OF OUR LORD (December 25). "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel, a name which means 'God-is-wit-us.'" (Matthew 1:23)

JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS (Good Friday), "Jesus cried out in a loud voice, and then gave us his spirit. Suddenly...the earth quaked, boulders split, tombs were opened." (Matthew 22:50-51)

AGONY IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANI (Holy Week). "He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. Still, let it be as You would have it, not as I." (Matthew 26:39)

THE ASCENSION OF JESUS (40 days after Easter) "With hands upraised (Jesus) blessed them. As he blessed, he left them, and was taken up to heaven." (Luke 24:50-51)

Above the East Side Altar:

SAINT ANTHONY of PAUDA (1195-1231). Franscian scholar, depicted with an angel and The Infant Jesus. Saint Anthony is known as an intercessor in adversities. His feast is celebrated June 13.

Over the East Side Wall Door:

SHOWER OF ROSES -- SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX, (Francoise Therese Martin, 1873-1897) Carmelite nun know as "The Little Flower of Jesus" because she loved and trusted the Infant Jesus and, like a child, did little things to please God. Her feast is celebrated October 1.

East Side Wall (North to South):

THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. In accordance with Jewish law, the first-born male had to be offered to God. (Exodus 13:2) Mary and Joseph, offered in sacrifice "a pair of doves or two young pigeons" in accord with the dictate of the law of the Lord. (Luke 2:24) The prophecy of holy Simeon took place at this time. "He (Simeon) came to the temple now, inspired by the Spirit, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him the customary ritual of the law, he took him in his arms and blessed God..." (Luke 2:27-28)  Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: "This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword -- so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare." (Luke 2:34-35)

MARY MAGDALENE AT THE FEET OF JESUS. Magdalene was a faithful follower of Jesus born in the village of Magdalene, Galilee. She was known as the one whom Jesus "had cast seven demons" -- the seven most frequent sins of humankind -- pride, covetous, lust, anger, gluttony, envy and sloth. Mary Magdalene stood at the cross when Jesus was crucified and was the first person to see Him after He rose from the tomb on the first Easter. (John 20)

THE CORONATION OF MARY. After a most holy life and death, the Blessed Virgin Mary was gloriously assumed, body and soul, into heavenly glory and was crowned Queen of Heaven, Earth and All Saints by her own Son. On October 11, 1954, Pope Pius XII, instituted the Feast of the Queenship of Mary in the liturgical calendar of the Church. It is celebrated May 31. "He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly." (Luke 1,52)

THE BLESSED MOTHER AND SAINT BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS (Lourdes, France 1844-1879). When she was 14 years old, 1858, the Virgin Mary is said to to have appeared to Bernadette 18 times, and told her to "pray for sinners" and to make known the healing powers of the springs of water at Lourdes. Today Lourdes, France, is a great shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity in 1886; was beatified in 1925, and declared a saint in 1933. Her feast is April 16.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD, JESUS CHRIST. Shepherd is a symbolic image used to designate the leader of the people (kings, governors) (2 Samuel 5,2). God is the shepherd of Israel (Ezekiel 34). The priests and prophets are also shepherds for the people. Seeing the infidelity of these shepherds, God promises that, in the Messianic future, He will give the people faithful shepherds (Jeremiah 23, 4). These are the typ of and the preparation for the Shepherd par excellence, Christ, who knows His sheep and gives His life for them (John 10, 1-8). Finally, Simon Peter is constituted as the shepherd of the flock of Christ. (John 31, 17)

Choir Stairway:

MARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION*. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was defined by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854. But even before this, the doctrine had been clearly understood and accepted by Roman Catholic authorities. It means that the Virgin Mary, in order to be pure enough to become the mother of Christ, was conceived free from the burden of original sin. Her soul was created in the purest holiness and innocence.

*The term is often confused with the virgin birth. the virgin birth implies a miracle, namely that Christ was "conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary." She had asked the Angel Gabriel. How she, A Virgin, should become the Mother of the Promised Messiah, and she was told this would by by the Power of God. (Luke 1:34-38)

Over Front Southeast Side Door:

ECCE HOMO - BEHOLD THE MAN. The outstanding characteristic of Jesus is His total, unreserved surrender to the will of God, His mighty burning love of His Father. No other man has ever so completely fulfilled the first commandment of the law, "Thou shall love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole strength."  "We are...heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, sharing his suffering so as to share his glory." (Romans 8:17)

In Choir Left: (Largest Stained Glass in Cathedral).

THE ROSE WINDOW is an excellent copy of the first colored glass windows found in the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe built during the Middle Ages. Their Rose windows became famous and may be seen today in many Cathedrals in Europe.  Nativity's Rose Window was donated by The Altar Society and installed at the end of World War II.

Over Front Southwest Side Door:

MATER DOLOROSO -- OUR MOTHER OF SORROWS. We cannot begin to see into the depth that Jesus sacrificed for us until we turn our minds into the heart of Mary to perceive what she endured in contributing to our redemption. Precious lessons of patience and resignation may be learned from her life.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary:

1. The prophecy of Simeon.
2. The flight into Egypt.
3. Three days' loss of Jesus in the Temple.
4. Meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary.
5. The Crucifixion.
6. The descent of the Body of Jesus from the Cross.
7. The burial of Jesus.

Mary speaks:

"Oh, all you that pass by the way, behold and see if there by any sorrow like unto my sorrow." (Lamentations 1,12) The feast of The Seven Sorrows of Mary is September 15.

West Side Wall (South to North):

SAINT PATRICK* (387-467), Patron of Ireland, worked zealously in various parts of England and Ireland as a missionary. His feast, March 17, is celebrated throughout the world, wherever there are Irish people.  SAINT BRIDGET, (451-525), commonly known as Saint Bride, Patroness of Ireland. Saint Bride is said to have lived as a nun under a large oak where the monastery of Kildare -- the Church of the Oak -- was found.

*Throughout the years God has blessed Mississippi with many priests and nuns who are natives of Ireland.

SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA was one of God's devoted servants and hermits who spent his life in prayer and penance in reparation for the sins of humankind. He founded the minim Friars. SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS (1225-1274) was one of the greatest theologians and philosophers who wrote many books about the teachings of the Catholic Church. He is known as the Patron of Catholic Education and his feast is celebrated January 28.

JESUS CHANGES THE WATER INTO WINE. Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee (John 2, 1-11)

OUR LORD AND THE CHILDREN. Jesus loved children and instructed humankind to become like them in their love for Him.  "...Let the children come to me and do not hinder them. It is to just such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I assure you that whoever does not accept the reign of God like a little child, shall not take part in it." (Mark 10:14-16)

THE SACRED HEART AND SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE (1647-1767), whom Jesus promised that He would bless those who honor His Sacred Heart. Her feast is celebrated October 16.

THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE. When Jesus was twelve years old He went with Mary and his foster-father, Joseph, to Jerusalem, to celebrate the solemn religious feast of Passover. Jesus is depicted in the Temple with teachers and priests, listening to them and asking them questions.  And all that heard Him were amazed at His wisdom and answers. (Luke 2, 46)

*Windows 21 and 22 are the only two windows in the Cathedral inscribed with the name of Mayer and Company: One of Germany's biggest commercial stained-glass studios.

Above West Side Wall Door:

SAINT JOACHIM AND SAINT ANNE, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary depicted with Mary. Saint Joachim belonged to the tribe of Juda and the House of David. He and Anne came from Galilee and lived in Nazareth, where Mary was born and reared. He is known as the Patron of husbands, fathers and grandfathers.  Saint Anne is the Patroness of 20 or more causes, places and professions; mothers, housewives and grandmothers, to name a few.  A church was built in the fourth century on the site of the home of Joachim and Anne in Jerusalem, where they were buried.

Above West Side Altar:

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS is depicted sitting on Her Throne in heaven holding the Infant Jesus on Her lap and instructing Saint Dominic, (1170-1221), in the most efficacious prayers on beads, the rosary. Saint Dominic not only introduced the Rosary to humankind, he also found The Order of Preachers in 1216, known as the Dominicans. (Dominicans are also known as the watch dogs of the Lord, which in Latin is Domini Canes.)