The Great West Window
The Sacraments
The main theme of this window is simple and direct; yet many secondary themes, mingling one with another, form a subtle and symbolic counterpoint. The primary thought is that Christ, the dominant figure in the window, has instituted the Sacraments so that humanity might participate in the infinitely higher order of the divine life.
St. Norbert is superimposed on the figure of Christ. As patron of the abbey church and the founder of the Norbertine Order, in fact, as representative of the whole Church and Christian community, he is our model. He partakes of the Tree of Life, which in turn is nourished by the Sacraments, the seven streams flowing from the fountain of Living Waters. Thus, Norbert, the Christian man, by his sacramental life, is conformed to Christ and participates in the life of the Trinity.
The Three Divine Persons appear toward the top of the window: The Father is the Creator, portrayed by the flaming sunburst in the upper left-hand corner. The Son is the Redeeming Lord, who having conquered death (the wounds in his hands), has ascended on high to receive power and dominion (the crown). The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier, seen on the right as a fiery Dove flying through the arms of Christ.
The office of Norbert as Archbishop of Magdeburg is presented as an extension of Christ’s role as the Good Shepherd. This parallel is reinforced by the balance of Norbert’s crosier on the left with Christ’s staff on the right. |
