Mother House Chapel
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Stained Glass Window: " The Ascension of the Lord"
This stained-glass window represents Jesus ascending into heaven; the work of Redemption is accomplished.
At the center-top of the window, the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove.
The Eternal Father, surrounded by light, hovers over creation.
The presence of the three divine persons illustrates the spirituality of the Congregation. Our devotion to the Eternal Father and to his Divine Providence comes from Marguerite d'Youville and was transmitted to us by our foundress, Mother Elisabeth Bruyère.
On either side of the Eternal Father we find the letters alpha and omega, first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They signify that God "is the beginning and the end" (Rev. 22: 13).
To the left, a liturgical alb reminds us of our dedication to the Church;
to the right, a fleur-de-lis depicts the French-Canadian origin of the mother Congregation established in Montreal in 1737.
Jesus saved us by dying on the cross; thus the symbols of his Passion:
- a chalice recalls His Agony: ".My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass me by. However, let it be as you, not I, would have it". (Mt. 26: 39)
- a lantern: "Judas... brought the cohort to this place together with a detachment of guards sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees, all with lanterns and torches and weapons."
- whipcords: "Pilate, anxious to appease the crowd... having ordered Jesus to be scourged, handed him over to be crucified." (Mk. 15: 15)
- a crown of thorns and a reed: "The soldiers twisted some thorns into a crown and put it on him. And they began saluting him: ‘Hail, King of the Jews.’ They struck his head with a reed..." (Mk. 15: 16-19)
- a hammer, nails, dice and pliers: ''When they had finished crucifying Him, they divided his clothing among them by casting lots". (Mt. 27: 36)
- the inscription: INRI: "Above his head was the charge against Him; it read: ‘This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews’ ". (Mt. 27: 37)
- a sponge: "... and one of them quickly ran to get a sponge which he dipped in vinegar, and, putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink" (Mt. 27: 48).
- a lance: "one of the soldiers pierced his side with a lance; and immediately, there came out blood and water (Jn. 19: 34).
The apostles number eleven, and Mary is with them; they are the burgeoning Church.
In the middle of the circle of apostles, a rock emerges from the ground;
we can believe that the artist had in mind the tomb in which Jesus was laid to rest and from which he emerged alive.
A cloud supports the Risen Saviour, angels kneel at his side, the presence of Mary among the apostles, all indicate that the artist's inspiration came from the Acts of the Apostles.
At the bottom of the stained-glass window, is a symbolic border, with, at the center, a royal crown between two medallions with precious stones, as a sign of an unrecognized kingship; "My kingdom is not of this world" (Jn 18: 36a).
To the left, the papal keys, emblem of spiritual power delegated by Christ-the-King to his Vicar on earth.
To the right, in correlation with the keys, the word love written on the stems of two roses, reveals that the reign which Christ established on earth is a reign of love and peace.
Under the border, an inscription in Latin reads: Non vos relinquam orphanos;
vado et venlo ad vos, which means: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come back to you" (Jn 14: 19, 28). Jesus accomplished his promise through his presence in the Holy Eucharist.
In the lower corners are found the seals of the Congregation.
However, here, this seal is surrounded by a crown of thorns We recall that the seal of the Grey Nuns of Montreal has the Cross bearing the Heart of Jesus and surrounded by a crown of thorns. The cross bearing the heart of Christ is common to the two Congregations and a symbol of our spiritual union; the crown of thorns and the ivy signify our canonical distinction.
© Sisters of Charité of Ottawa
Last update:
3-07-2010