The Windows

St. Rose

As you walk into the church, down the center aisle, the stately Gothic windows suggest a mood of quiet dignity and prayer. They remind the viewer that this church was once filled with huge white wooden alters and other Gothic artifacts. In the first full window on the left as you walk towards the alter, St. Rose holds a rose in her arms as a sign of her purity and wears a crown of thorns around her head as a sign of her mortification.

St. Gasper

St. Gaspar is next on the left and stands proudly as a memento of the Society of the Precious Blood which has served St. Augustine for most of it’s history. Gaspar’s halo indicates that the window was a later addition. St. Gaspar del Bufalo and St. John Bosco were purchased in 1954, while the other hand painted windows were purchased in 1878 from a firm in Pittsburgh.

St. John the Evangelist

The next window of St. John the Evangelist might easily be mistaken for the figure of Jesus since there is no title on it. One quickly notices that the figure is heavier than those in the other windows. St. John holds the chalice in one hand, the other is raised in blessing. The believer recalls how the gospel of John often speaks of the Eucharist in such realistic terms as, “He who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has life eternal, and I will raise him up on the last day.”(John 6:54)

Good Shephard

The Good Shephard Window has the only figure in a side profile. Jesus looks down on the sheep with an obvious concern. His royal blue cloak has crosses on it, which is a reminder that the Good Shephard lays down his life for his sheep. Blue often signifies royalty and is one of the more costly colors used in painting.

Holy Childhood

Across the aisle on the north side of the church is the window of the Holy Childhood. The innocent childhood of Jesus contrasts strongly with the cross of suffering he holds in his hand. The pastoral setting of nature with its lilies and other flowers recalls the sinlessness of Jesus, who shed his blood that we might be saved and share once again the innocence of God’s life.

Immaculate Conception of Mary

As one turns to walk down the aisle, the window dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary comes next. In Catholic tradition, God gave Mary a special grace by which she was preserved from sin. Here she is pictured as standing on a pair of white horns which represent the power of God. Her goodness overcomes the power of evil in this world.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine is pictured in his bishop’s mitre and holding the staff, a sign of his office as a teacher. Augustine, the patron saint of our church, was an eminent Doctor of the Church. His autobiography, The Confessions, is a rich source of religious teachings and a marvelous portrayal of the search for God.

St. John Bosco

The window dedicated to St. John Bosco, as well as that of St. Gaspar, was added in 1954 when the other church windows were renovated. It’s modern characteristics are obvious in the realism of the veins in the hand and the detailed frontal view of the face. St. John stands in the clouds surrounded by angels with cherubic faces.

St. Boniface and St. Theresa of Avila

The pair of windows on the west end of the church are partially obstructed by the choir loft. The north one is St. Boniface who is the patron saint of the German people. We can thank him for the Christmas tree tradition. The south window depicts St. Theresa of Avila who is a Doctor of the Church. Her favorite word was “Forever” (to love Jesus). She loved to meditate on the passion of Christ because it showed how much Jesus loves us all.

North Sanctuary Window

The Pelican Window

South Sanctuary Window

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