The South Clerestory Windows: The Liturgy of the Mass

9. Thanksgiving    

            After the Presider’s final blessing we are admonished to “Go, the Mass is ended.”  Though this liturgy itself is finished, we the faithful still carry the fruits of the Sacrifice of the Mass into our daily lives.  At the top of the window the hand of God suggests the blessing the priest imparts to us.  The crosses and triangle filling the background remind us of the presence of the Trinity.

            Going forth from the altar, we carry within us a burning zeal, and we resolve a complete dedication to Christ through our actions.  The large flame leading downward from the hand of God expresses this symbolically.  The dove at the base of the flame is representative of us, the faithful.

            In the religious life, professing the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience evidences this complete dedication.  This idea is expressed in the presence of the three canons at the base of the window.  Each canon holds a floral symbol of one of the vows.  Starting from the left they are: the thistle for poverty; the lily for chastity; the sunflower for obedience.  The large candle behind the canons brings to mind the ideas of the “Lumen Christi” (Light of Christ) and the warmth enkindled in our hearts by the sacred liturgy.

            The words “Deo Gratias” (Thanks be to God) express our final thanksgiving for all that we have received thought the merits of Christ’s sacrifice.