VISITORS’ CHAPEL. The archway to the left of the main altar opening on the Sanctuary reveals a “visitors’ chapel.” Here, in former days, visiting laity or sisters were excluded from the main chapel during services. The gold-leafed roof is adorned with the opening words of the Gospel of St. John.
In the ST. PETER WINDOW, the background is occupied by a representation of a twin-towered modern church, with its cross reaching to the apex of the window. The doorways and ascending steps are shown rising out of the solid rock. Inscribed on this Foundation are the words of Christ, et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam. Between the towers at the top, is the year, 1941.
Within the medallion stands the figure of St. Peter, holding in one hand the emblem of his martyrdom, the reversed cross, while in the other scroll, inscribed with the words, “Domine, quo vadis.” To his left is a small motif consisting of a mitre and a date A.D. I, with the date 1941 above, conveys a simple story of the Catholic Church and the first Bishop of Rome. In the base of the composition are the words of the Master, Beatus es, Simon Bar Jona. |
The ST. PAUL WINDOW is structurally a counterpart of St. Peter window. But it is rendered in a different color arrangement. The Apostle of the Gentiles is portrayed with the customary sword and a book inscribed with the words, Spiritus Gladius. The Apex above shows the Dextera Dei with shafts of light directed towards St. Paul, and flanking the same are the words, Saul! Saul! The lower portion of the window depicts a ship and beneath this is a wicker basket, commemorating his perils, sufferings and escapes. Other items of reference are the Phoenix, to illustrate his preaching on the Resurrection; the tent, to recall his occupation of tentmaker; the flagellum and stones, mementos of his sufferings; and the palm, emblem of his martyrdom. The inscription in the base reads, Tu es Vas Electionis.
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