The Blessed Sacrament Chapel Windows
The windows in this chapel depict the Blessed Sacrament of Christ body and blood under its two-fold aspect of sacrament and sacrifice.
The left panel commemorates the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Eleven circular forms representing the faithful apostles are placed about a table-form that extends length-wise throughout the window. The black form to be found at the extreme right-hand corner implies the presence of Judas separated from the others. A shaft of wheat grows up through the center of the panel into the hands of Christ where it becomes the bread of Christ’s sacrifice.
The fish in the center panel stands for the Body of Christ; the water surrounding the fish recalls the important connection between the Sacrament of Baptism, which gives life to the Christian, and the Sacrament of the Eucharist, which nourishes that life. Below, the monstrance emphasizes the constant, worldwide adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
In the right panel the Chi-Rho takes the form of the cross, the altar of Christ’s sacrifice. The wounds of the hands and feet of the crucified Jesus are portrayed by the four nails that pierce the ends of the crossbar and the base of the cross. At the intersection of the arms of the Chi-Rho, the Precious Blood pours out of the lance-wound into the chalice. The crosses of the thieves at the base of the window bear out the idea of the Sacrifice of Calvary.
