The South Clerestory Windows: The Liturgy of the Mass

4. The Offertory

The idea of an offertory procession is suggested in this window by the use of a free-flowing form that begins at the base of the window and rises upward.  The three figures at the bottom represent the faithful gathered together for the procession.  As the path proceeds upward, the flame to the left reminds us that – inspired by the Holy Spirit in our love for God – we also offer ourselves at this part of the Mass.  The word “Suscipe” expresses the hope that our gifts will be acceptable as worthy.

            Among the gifts offered are, of course, wheat and grapes, these being the material substances that are to become the Body and Blood of Christ.  The Chi-Rho that flows from these gifts to the top of the window emphasizes that it is Christ himself who is offered as the true sacrifice.

            The other gifts presented included a lily, seen at the left of the wheat and the grapes, and a red rose at the right.  These offerings suggest the two most sublime states in Christian life – virginity and martyrdom.  The gift of alms for the poor is also a part of the Offertory.  The outstretched hands offering a plate of money represent this gift.

            At present, the offertory procession can still be seen at the ordination of a priest or the consecration of a bishop.  This idea is shown in the window by a short path that breaks away from the main procession.  The crosier, centered on the right-hand side of the window, is symbolic of the bishop as a newly appointed shepherd of Christ’s flock.  The lit candle, superimposed on the crosier, points out the new priest as one who has promised to dedicate himself to spreading the light of Christ throughout the world.  The chalice and host represent the concelebration of the Holy Sacrifice that the new priest or bishop performs in union with the officiating prelate.

Finally to the right, just above the three men gathered for the procession, can be seen symbols of the human and divine aspects of the sacrifice.  The cross and star represent Christ and his dual nature.  The mixture of the wine from the    grapes and the water represents the union of Christ with the Christian and the desire of the Christian to be made a partaker of Christ’s divinity even as he became a partaker of our humanity.