Early in the process of Project 2017, we knew that a priority would be to restore the presence of a rose window in the space above the altar. (The St. Francis de Sales window, now in the choir loft, was in the spot above the altar in our original church and moved in the 1950's renovation to its current location) That space above the altar was plastered over on the inside and looked like a blank hole from the outside, remember?
The discussion of course began about the design of the new window. Almost immediately, Bishop Jim Schuerman suggested that the depiction should be that of the Sacred Heart. Our patron saint, St. Francis de Sales, was devoted to the heart of Jesus. He founded the Order of the Visitation, one of whose members was St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Christ revealed the mysteries of His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alaoque. It was not coincidental that St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was a member of the Order of Vistation whose founder, St. Francis de Sales, was the outstanding defender of God's universal love for the human race!
The Sacred Heart became the theme of Project 2017, even depicted in our logo created by committee member Nick Vorpagel. :
Catholics (and people in general) are visual people. That’s why in addition to using parables to give us messages, Jesus uses images to convey His messages. Seeing an image of the Heart of Jesus with thorns and the cross and flames certainly grabs our attention and speaks to us. The thorns around His heart are a representation of our sins and how our sinning pierces His heart. The flames and the cross serve as a reminder of the suffering He endured for our salvation and of His burning love for us. The dripping blood represents the blood Jesus shed for our salvation. That’s a pretty powerful message!
Our designers from Conrad Schmitt Studios, also incorporated the design of the Sacred Heart in the stenciling around the sanctuary.
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The Sacred Heart window, designed, created and installed by Gilbertsons Stained Glass Studio of Lake Geneva, is a beautiful focal point our our newly renovated church. Not only does it bring light, color, and life to the sanctuary, it is also a reminder of Christ's love for all!
Here is a lovely prayer, written by St. Francis de Sales about the Heart of Jesus:
May thy heart dwell always in our hearts!
May thy blood ever flow in the veins of our souls!
O sun of our hearts, thou givest life to all things by the rays of thy goodness!
I will not go until thy heart has strengthened me, O Lord Jesus!
May the heart of Jesus be the king of my heart!
Blessed be God.
Amen.
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