HIGH POINT — Since the day before Thanksgiving last year, light has flowed into Maryfield Chapel through four stained-glass windows that depict images of faith and bring inspiration to those who pray there.
Now the eight remaining windows also bring colorful reverence to the worship space.
The original idea of having stained-glass windows in the main chapel was the inspiration of Mary and Peter Mahler, residents at Pennybyrn, a continuing care retirement community run by the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God. Early in January 2020, as the Mahlers paid a visit to the Adoration Chapel, where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, they were struck by the beautiful stained-glass windows that surrounded the chapel walls and the tabernacle. As they spent time in prayer, they truly felt the windows helped raise their minds to heavenly things.
Upon leaving the Adoration Chapel, they entered the main chapel and sensed that its windows, which were adorned with hanging net curtains, failed to inspire. They felt compelled to do something about it, so they contacted the sisters.
After careful deliberation, the sisters agreed that stained-glass windows would lift the chapel to a higher sense of reverence, and they developed a plan for the first four stained-glass windows.
The first image that was chosen was a depiction of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth. Since the Sisters have a strong devotion to Mary, the choice of the image of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth seemed appropriate. This choice also pleased Mary Mahler, who wanted Mary to be honored in the chapel. This window is the first on the left as a visitor enters the chapel.
Just past it, the second stained-glass window beautifully depicts the Trinity or Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As the magnificence of this window creeps into your heart, it inspires reverence and helps the viewer look into the heavens beyond.
A third window, on the right side of the chapel, shows a Celtic Cross. The Celtic Cross is a symbol that combines a cross with a ring surrounding the intersection of the four arms right in the center. Vivid, golden yellow glass beautifully illuminates this circle or halo with a brilliant glow. St. Patrick used this symbol to teach Christ to the people of Ireland. He taught them that instead of worshiping the sun, they were to worship Christ, the Son of God and the God of all things. A shamrock rests at the upper part of the window, with a matching shamrock at the lower part. The cross is enveloped with chips of glass of all shapes and sizes, some of which are diagonal, square or diamond shaped. On a sunny day, the variety of shapes and sizes of glass gives the image a flame-like appearance.
The window below the Celtic Cross depicts the Supper at Emmaus, a well-known gospel scene. This window captures perfectly the astonishment of the two disciples as they recognized Christ in the breaking of the bread. Seeing this window when the evening light comes through, the viewer is drawn into the magnificence of this beautiful story from Luke 24:13-35.
Soon after the four stained-glass windows made possible by the Mahlers were installed, two more residents came forward and expressed interest in funding the cost of the remaining eight windows in the chapel. They were not interested in having images on these windows. Their proposal was to have the same background found in the new stained-glass windows installed on all of the remaining windows.
By the end of June, all the windows were completed and installed. What a difference these stained-glass windows now make in beautifying the main chapel.
Before Mass on July 10, Father Jim Solari blessed the windows.
Pope Benedict XVI once said, “Images of beauty, in which the mystery of the invisible God becomes visible, are an essential part of Christian worship.”
The stained-glass windows that now adorn Maryfield Chapel truly reflect images of beauty and raise the mind to God. Furthermore, they enhance the worship services held in the chapel, especially the celebration of the Eucharist.
— Sister Lucy Hennessy, SMG, Special to the Catholic News Herald. Sister Lucy Hennessy, SMG, is board chairman and CEO of Pennybyrn, a continuing care retirement community in High Point.