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Virtual tour of the
facade stained glass window |
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During the relocation, the original stained glass windows adorning the front of the church were re-used by the Presbyterian community for their new chapel situated on Sherbrooke street. To replace them, a new stained glass window was produced by master glass-maker Francis Chigot (1879-1960) from Limoges. Well-known for his work influenced by Art nouveau and Art Deco, he is also the creator of the historic stained glass windows of the Notre-Dame basilica in Montreal. However, the centerpiece of the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus dates back further to 1874 as it was taken from the previous college chapel. It was created and offered by the workshops of Carmen au Mans. It appears to be one of only two contributions from the Carmen au Mans workshops to the architectural heritage in North America.
Father Basile Antoine Moreau (1799-1873), founder of the congregation of Sainte-Croix, had a particular devotion to Mary. He stated that: “A follower of Christ is also that of his mother, who he worships at the foot of the cross. It is to her that we send our morning greetings and our last words of the evening, and it is by her everlasting care that the renewed devotion on the month of Mary is present in Saint-Sulpice.” Mary has therefore become the patron saint of the congregation. In the center of the stained glass window, she wears a crown as queen of the congregation and appears on a cloud to represent her Assumption.
If
the daises (windows) behind the saints are in the same form as that of
the Virgin Mary, it suggests that these four saints have a special
relationship with her, be it temporal or spiritual. The evangelists Luc
and Jean, who are positioned closest, were close contemporaries of Mary.
Saint Jean greeted the Virgin Mary after Christ was brought down from
the cross. Jesus had said to his mother: “Mother, here is your son” and
to the apostle: “Jean, here is your mother.” Saint Luc is the first
portraitist of Mary (note the quill which he holds in his hand). As for
Saint Dominique and Saint Bernard, from the middle ages, they are
spiritually connected to the Virgin Mary. Saint Dominique is holding a
Lilly (symbol of Marian purity) and has a star above his head as the
Virgin Mary appeared to him. Saint Bernard is founder of the Cistercians
of which Mary is the model example of spiritual life. |
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To see the stained glass window
up close, click on the JPG files to open them separately. Then,
use the mouse (+) to enlarge specific areas. These recomposed photos in
high resolution will allow you to see the window clearly at a distance
of less than a meter! |
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Virgin Mary JPG
(2,26 Mo) Saint Jean JPG (1,34 Mo) Saint Luc JPG (1,19 Mo) |
Saint Dominique JPG (1,11 Mo) Saint Bernard JPG (1,19 Mo) |
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The window
contains an anachronic detail ... ... and four
symbolic messages! Finally, look closely at the inscriptions at the bottom of the daises of the Virgin mary and Saint Bernard. |
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A glimpse of the restauration of the Sacred Heart
window (vidéo) |
Archive secrets on the transept windows In 1932, Father Cousineau of the Sainte-Croix congregation received a letter from German glassmaker Karl Diemand containing a list of subjects for the transept stained glass windows. In 1933, he received another letter from Francis Chigot for the right transept. However, it appears that these projects were abandoned as the transept windows do not have any stained glass! To learn more, ask for trthe interpretation guide L'architecture du musée (French only) on your next visit. Research and text: Céline Khodr and
Martin Lominy |
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