The fine arts are rightly classed among the noblest activities of man’s genius; this is especially true of religious art, and its highest manifestation—sacred art.  Of their nature, the arts are directed toward expressing in some way the infinite beauty of God in works made by human hands.

--Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, vii, #122

 

 

 

The leaded glass windows were designed by Pat Scarlett Haeger, a local artist whose windows may be found in churches from Ohio to Hawaii, and from Canada to Mexico!  Pat lives in the East Hills near Alum Rock Park.

 

 

 

Wes and Eric Hogan, also of San Jose, selected and crafted the unusual mixture of European and American colored glass.  Their intent was to search out the colors and textures that would best express the movement of color found in Pat’s designs.  Wes Hogan is a master craftsman who has been making stained glass windows for more than twenty-five years.

 

 

 

In the fall of 1985, with an eye to our parish jubilee celebration, Father Thomas Ahern met with artist Pat Haeger, Mary Ruth Dargis, and Sister Eleanor to brainstorm about the content and arrangement of the windows.  A major concern was that the windows would suit the church architecture while depicting the essential elements that mark parish life at St. Victor’s.  The windows, individually donated, were crafted and installed in April 1986, in time for the parish jubilee liturgy and the installation of Father Stephen Perata as pastor.

 

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MAIN SECTION:  THE CHURCH AND THE SACRAMENTS

  

 

 

 

 

 

The eight windows in the main section depict the sacramental life of St. Victor’s people.  The east window nearest the vestibule is the Church as described by Vatican II Council  “…the Church, in Christ, is in the nature of sacrament—a SIGN and INSTRUMENT, that is, of communion with God and unity among all.”  (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. i, #1)

 

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The Church—Jesus Christ as founder and head of the Church is shown.  The Church is the outward sign of the Lord’s continued presence in our world.  The People of God, who are the Church, suggest persons of varied cultures and races, with Christ as the One who both unifies His people and leads them to God.

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The following three windows on the east side depict the Sacraments of Christian Initiation into the Church.  They are presented in this order because in early church practice they were celebrated in this order.  Even today, adults seeking entrance into the Church are baptized, confirmed and receive their first Eucharist in a single celebration of the liturgy.

 

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Baptism—The rich and varied textures of blue glass present the primary symbol of water.  The water is poured over the forehead with a baptismal shell,  “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” represented by three drops of water.  The presence of the dove, traditional symbol for the Spirit, reminds us of Jesus’ own baptism.

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Confirmation—Shades of red dominate the depiction of the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Again the dove is used, as well as the suggestion of tongues of fire, and the ring of gold as symbol for the infinity of God.  The hands of those to be confirmed are open and receptive in order to accept the seven gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.

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Eucharist--Bread and wine are the Lord’s own designation for His followers’  “Food for the Journey” in faith.  Vine and branches, heightened by the varied textures of grey and green glass, remind all of Jesus’ Last Supper teaching about His relationship to all persons.  The representation  of wheat combines both the good kernels and the tares or weeds:   The Eucharist is to be food for all, especially those in need of forgiveness and healing.

 

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On the west side, the two windows nearest the altar call attention to the special graces needed for specific vocations, or ways of life.

 

 

 

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 Holy Orders—The office of priesthood is passed on by the Bishop through the anointing of the candidate’s hands.  This window is located nearest the altar to emphasize the primary duty of the priest, to celebrate the Eucharist.  The priest’s chalice is usually a very precious and personally meaningful possession.

 

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Matrimony—Marriage is made holy by the presence of Christ, whose figure, along with the Cross, dominates this window.  The marriage feast of Cana, Jesus’ first public miracle, is portrayed—a single piece of glass progressing from clear water to the rich, red wine.  The man and woman emphasize the exclusive love relationship and fidelity required in marriage.  At the same time, the presence of child and others calls the married couple to an inclusive charity and concern for family and others.  A true sacramental marriage is always a sign of God’s covenant, His faithful love for all persons.

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The last two windows on the west side celebrate the sacraments of God’s healing power.
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Anointing of the Sick—The figure of a priest, anointing the head of another, is represented.  Olive branches and leaves suggest peace; that is, the reconciliation and acceptance needed in the case of serious illness.  Anointing provides both physical and spiritual healing.

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Penance or Reconciliation—The priest/confessor as representative of God is symbolized by the rocks, sign of the Church.  The close relationship between priest and penitent is emphasized in the clasping of hands.  This same gesture also suggests people making peace with each other, a necessary condition for forgiveness.  Calvary, the source of God’s forgiveness, is represented by three crosses.

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The Cross, God’s New Covenant of loving forgiveness, is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, represented by the rainbow.

 

Because of the original structure of our church windows, the suggestion of the cross is present in each design.  Likewise, the artist’s use of color and movement suggests the rainbow theme in each window.

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EAST WING:  THE GOSPEL WRITERS

 

 

In addition to the altar table, a second celebration “table” is present in every church—the pulpit, or ambo, from which the Sacred Scriptures are proclaimed.  The four windows nearest the pulpit celebrate our richest sources for the words and actions of Jesus Christ; the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

 

Traditionally, in church art the Gospel writers have been symbolized by the four living creatures…the first creature resembled a lion, the second an ox, the third had the face of a man, while the fourth looked like an eagle in flight.”  (Revelation 4:6-7)

 

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Matthew is traditionally symbolized by the winged man because he emphasizes the humanity of Jesus.  Matthew was a tax collector before he was called by Jesus.  The ledger and coins, sign of his trade, are in the lower right hand corner.  The quill and scroll of the Gospel writers are found in all four windows.

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Mark is the winged lion, king of beasts, in accord with his presentation of the royal and kingly character of Jesus Christ.  The keys of St. Peter are included in this window.  Although not one of the apostles, Mark was closely associated with Peter, according to tradition.

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Luke is represented by the winged ox, another of the apocalyptic beasts, because of all the Gospel writers he most emphasized the prophetic word and character of Jesus.  Traditionally described as a physician and artist, Luke is the patron of artists.  The marks of his trade—palette, brushes and paints—are in the lower right corner.

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John, the only apostle to escape martyrdom, lived a long and holy life.  He is represented by the eagle, for his Gospel fairly soars in its literary style and development of theology that “…Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this faith you may have life in his name.”  (John 20:31)  John was saved from a poisonous drink, depicted by the cup and the snake.  His beak holds the writer’s quill.

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WEST WING:  THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

 

 

 

The single window in the west wing faces the choir and is adjacent to the crying room.  Holding her precious child, Mary is appropriately located near our own room for children, facing the area of our church where young families usually sit.

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Mary, the mother of Jesus, makes all of the Christian faith possible because of her willingness, long ago, to say “Yes!” to God.  Because of her special role in salvation, Mary has been venerated by the Church for her purity, her virginity, her Immaculate Conception—symbolized by the three lilies.  In the traditional Latin of the Church, Mary was greeted, “Ave Maria, Hail Mary” so the monogram AM is used.

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HIGH WINDOWS ABOVE THE EAST AND WEST WINGS

 

 

 

In the Book of Malachi it is written, “For from the rising of the sun to it’s setting, my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering.”  (Malachi 1:11)

 

It is the belief and consolation of all Catholics that at every moment of the day and night, the sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated at some place in our world, as it is here in this sacred place, St. Victor’s!

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The East Window depicts the east hills of our San Jose sunrise, hills whose vegetation is scarce, golden brown save for a few hardy oaks.

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The West Window is rich in the reddish hues of an afternoon sunset, over the foothills and mountains where the redwoods grow and green predominates.

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In each window, the burning of incense is used to symbolize the continuing prayer and offering that ascends to our Lord and God.

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The Sacristy Window

Christ calls each of us to gather round His Table.  It is here that we share in His Life and rejoice in His Presence.  Fed by His Body and Blood, we become His disciples and are called to be His apostles.  We are asked to go from here into our daily lives and invite all to the Lord’s Table.

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The Chapel Window

At the heart of our Faith is the Holy Family.  Through Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we are united with each other in our present, in our past, and one in our future.  We live the Faith handed on to us and prepare to hand it to the people of tomorrow.

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This was prepared by Sister Eleanor, Rev. Stephen F. Perata, and with photos by Lowell Starr.  A special thank you to artist Pat Haeger who supplied all the information about her designs,

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