Arts & Entertainment

Presentation Given on Stained Artwork in Church

Alyssa Abraham gave a presentation at St. Mary's Catholic Church to discuss the stained glass artwork in the church.

 

Each stained glass window at St. Mary Catholic Church is a piece of art.

Alyssa Abraham, a Ph.D. art student, recently gave a presentation at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Huntley to explain the intricacies of the stained glass artwork displayed within the church.

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“I want to call your attention to the function of the beautiful windows,” she said. “But the stained glass windows are also helpful guides to use in our approach to God.”

Abraham focused the presentation around the 12 stained glass windows that each portrays a different saint in vibrant colors.

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“The white light changes when it transforms through the colored glass, and bathes parishioners with this colored heavenly light,” she said. “So it not only a representation of the saint’s life, but it is also a very important reminder of that transformation.”

In Abraham’s presentation, she told the stories of each of the saints, and also discussed symbols and objects that are commonly associated with each of the saints in artwork.

One saint Abraham focused on was Veronica. She told the story of how Veronica offered to wipe Jesus’ face with a cloth as he carried the cross. When it was done, the imprint of his face was transferred onto the cloth.

“That is an act of charity and of mercy,” said Abraham, who spent time at St. Mary Church's RCIA program. She recently graduated from University of Florida with a Master of Arts in Italian Renaissance art. “It is something that we can think of as the sympathy for others.”

After Veronica, Abraham discussed St. Lucie, who is often depicted as holding her eyes on a plate. Lucie was imprisoned because she refused to denounce her faith. She was sentenced to be burned at the stake, but it didn’t work.

“There is nothing you can do to this women to make her denounce her faith, which is something we can think of,” Abraham said.  “We can look to this example and say, ‘Wow, saint Lucie cannot deny her faith in the face of those torments, so can I.’ It is a very powerful example of sticking to your faith.”

When discussing saint Mary Magdalene, Abraham brought attention to her long and beautiful hair. Mary showed true devotion to Jesus.

“She stands for the repentance of our sins, forgiveness and love,” Abraham said. “She should show how we can turn from our sins, and never look back.”

Abraham also told the story of saint Catherine of Alexandria who stood by her faith. Fifty philosophers were sent to make her give up her faith, but instead, she was so well informed that she converted them all.

“I find her example very instructive for how young Christians can challenge those who refute their faith,” Abraham said.

In the end, Abraham told the audience to remember the stories of the saints.

“Don’t forget that the 12 women depicted individually here in our sanctuary can offer you their stories and their examples,” Abraham said in her presentation. “Some saints can be called upon to inspire our attitudes, actions and relationships. Others are exemplars of devotion in extreme hardship.”


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