Sanctuary Windows and Stations of the Cross
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The Main Sanctuary Windows and Stations of the Cross
The stained glass windows that surround the main sanctuary encompass the greatest milestones in the history of our faith. The events depicted in the windows trace our Catholic heritage from the beginning of time to the fulfillment of God's Word as celebrated today at each Mass. These, too, were created by artisan Jim Piercey of Orlando.
The stained glass windows serve a multitude of purposes for the sanctuary and the congregation. They recount our history, reflect its beauty and inspire us. They must also accomplish the basic function of lighting the large space and defining its mood. "These stained glass windows will improve the quality of light in the church," said Piercey. "They diffuse the light to create a soft feeling even without artificial light."
Beginning with the Creation, the windows on the left (from front to back of the church) illustrate five of the most significant events from the Old Testament while the windows on the right (from back to the front) recall the major milestones of Christ nurturing his relationship with us in the New Testament.
Creation:
Genesis 1
God creates the entire universeThe Burning Bush:
Exodus 3:2-4
God appears to Moses and charges him to deliver IsraelNoah:
Genesis 8:9-11
God's covenant with NoahParting of the Red Sea:
Exodus 14:21
God's deliverance of the Chosen PeopleThe Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:1-21
God gives the moral commands to Moses
Miracle at Cana:
John 2:1-11
Christ's first miracle begins his ministryFeeding the Multitude: Matthew
14:14-21
Jesus shows he can feed us all by multiplying the loaves and fishesThe Last Supper: Matthew 25
Jesus institutes the Eucharist and delivers His farewell discourseEmmaus:
Luke 24:13-32
The first recognition of Christ by his disciples symbolized by the breaking of breadThe Holy Eucharist
The highest of all sacraments because it is our most intimate connection with Christ
The Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross in Catholic churches originated as an alternative faith experience for those who could not make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to retrace Christ's actual footsteps to Calvary. In the late middle Ages, the Stations were placed around monastic churches, on high places and at pilgrimage sites. It was not until the 17th century that the Stations were moved inside parish churches.
The stations in St. Joseph's Church were provided by Jim Piercy through his associates in Italy. They are cast of reconstructed marble, a combination of crushed marble and epoxy poured into a mold of Piercey's original sculpture. The soft lighting above each Station is designed to help those who follow the "Way of the Cross" to recall not only Jesus' on suffering, but Christ's solidarity with us to overcome the suffering of His people.