From the Archives – Heavenly Symbols

In the Middle Ages, few people could read and books were scarce. The beautiful stained-glass windows displayed in churches provided a visual catechism and Bible history, full of religious symbolism intended to direct their thoughts toward God, without the use of the written word. The windows of the Basilica of Saint Mary continue this tradition. Even the backgrounds of the windows have symbolic meanings. At the top of most of the large, double windows, there is an ornate white-and-gold castle or palace, representing the Kingdom of Heaven. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly refers to the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, and “My Father’s Kingdom.”

There is also Marian symbolism in the palaces. Mary is the Queen of Heaven. Medieval cathedrals frequently had a large tympanum (relief sculpture) over their entrance doors, depicting Jesus crowning His kneeling Mother as she enters heaven. In the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she is called the House of Gold because her body was a palace that held the precious Infant Jesus. At the bottom of several Basilica windows (John the Baptist and Mary Magdalene, the Holy Family, Saints Bridget and Patrick, and Saint Helena and Our Lady of Perpetual Help) you will see a white or ivory tower. In the early Catholic Church, such towers represented purity, strength, incorruptibility and spirituality. The tower also symbolized separating oneself from worldly distractions. In her litany, Mary is called the Tower of David and the Tower of Ivory.

— Kitty Guy, Parish Historian

In 2020, to commemorate the 225th anniversary of our parish, we started “From the Archives” as a weekly feature online and in our bulletin to spotlight the history of Saint Mary’s. Due to its popularity, we are continuing the series. An archive of the features is located here.