Beautiful stained-glass windows dominate the interior of St. Casimir church and they are full of meaning to those who know what was in the mind of artist, Benoit Gilsoul of New York City, who designed the windows. The overall theme for the windows is the Canticle of Brother Sun the prayer of praise to the Creator for the work of Creation written by St. Francis of Assisi.
Let’s begin with the windows located to the right of the altar as you face the congregation. The dominant image in the window directly behind the tabernacle where the Eucharist is reposed is a large red circle that represents the sun. In St. Francis’ words:
Be praised, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
Especially Sir Brother Sun,
By whom You give us the light of day!
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor.
Of You, Most High, He is a symbol.
Smaller images in this window represent the first three days of creation as told in the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. The first day, when light was created, is shown in the left lower corner. A white, lightening-like area is topped by colored squares, over which hovers the Spirit of God. Just above this image is the second day, when the waters were separated into seas and sky. God’s creation of vegetation on the third day is portrayed by an apple, a symbol of humanity’s fall from grace. Other symbols include a grave for our redemption in Christ, a fir tree for the celebration of Christmas, and an olive tree for Christ’s agony in the garden.
Other references to Christ’s passion include the rooster, recalling St. Peter’s betrayal of Jesus, the seamless garment, dice and thirty pieces of silver. Take time to look for other images: a goat caught in a bush, symbol of the sacrifice performed by Abraham as recorded in the book of Genesis; the star, announcing the coming of the Messiah in Bethlehem; the tablets, representing God’s Law, and the hunted unicorn, a medieval symbol of Christ’s death and resurrection. Several saints also are represented in this window: St. Casimir, St. Francis, St. Matthew, St. Philip, St. Bartholomew and St. James.
The creation story concludes in the second window. The sun, stars and earth in the lower right mark the fourth day of creation. The fish and the bird represent the fifth day, when God created the beasts of the water and the air. Adam and Eve represent the creation of humanity on the sixth day of God’s creation. The lion and the lamb recall Isaiah’s prophecy of peace when these beats will lie side by side. The compass denotes the days and seasons of the Liturgical Year of the Church.
Other images in the window include the Lamb, representing Christ; the star, representing Mary; the sword and three ships, depicting Paul’s three missionary journeys; and the ladder, spear and sponge soaked in wine that figure in the crucifixion story. Also, look for the coat of arms of Pope John Paul II as well as symbols of St. Peter, St. Paul, St. John, St. Matthias, St. Jude, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Simon and St. James. Finally, you’ll find the artist’s signature, B. Gilsoul, in the lower right- hand corner.
Let’s move to the left of the altar to the area where the organ is located. The window to the far left is dominated by an image of fire. In St. Francis’ words:
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire,
By whom You give us light at night.
And he is beautiful and merry and strong!
The symbol of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the fire evokes the grace of Pentecost and Confirmation.
Beginning at the bottom left, the “Prayer of St., Francis,” — the familiar prayer that begins with the words, “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,” — becomes the central theme. Each image is accompanied by a phrase from the prayer. The dove represents peace; the grapes, forgiveness; the dead man, eternal life; the anchor, hope; the cross, faith; the eye, joy; the heart, love; the harp, harmony; and the torch, light.
Other symbols in this packed window include the great fish of the Book of Jonah, representing Christ’s descent into death and resurrection to life after three days; the fish, an ancient symbol of Christians; the lamb, bird and trees, representing living things for which St. Francis praises God in his canticle; the lion of Judah, a prototype of Christ; and an angel. The image of bread and wine echoes the Eucharist. In the lower right, the fish and cross immersed in blue represent our immersion in the waters of Baptism, while the wheat is another allusion to the Eucharist.
The moon is the largest symbol in the fourth window, accompanied by a planet and a star. Again, from St. Francis’ canticle:
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon and the Stars!
In the sky you formed them bright and lovely and fair.
Along the bottom of this window the blue waters of Baptism filled with fish appear again. Over the water, and throughout all the windows, are houses representing the heavenly Jerusalem where Jesus said there are many mansions. The Lord’s teaching about treating the least among us as though they were Jesus himself is represented by a man on a bed (“I was sick and you cared for me”). This image is also a symbol of the Sacrament of Anointing of the sick. Jesus’ teaching continues with a chained hand (“I was in prison and you visited me”) and a cloth (“I was naked and you clothed me”).
Other symbols in this widow include the cross and alb, symbolizing the priesthood; a host and chalice, again representing the Eucharist; a tree and two rings, representing marriage; an apple, reminding us of the Garden of Eden; the whip used to scourge Jesus; a flower, continuing the theme of Creation; and in the lower right-hand corner, a tabernacle.
Mr. Gilsoul also created six windows in the back of St., Casimir Church. Starting in the far left corner as you face the back, you’ll see St. Casimir pondering whether to choose Christ’s crown of thorns or the earthly crown that was his by right as son of the king of Poland. In the center of the church is a window of St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, holding the church of Christ protectively in his arm. You can see St. John Neumann, who was once bishop of our area, in a window in the reconciliation room. I n one of the small rooms off the foyer St. Clare, friend of St. Francis and founder of a Franciscan Order for women. Next, a window in the foyer offers and image of St. Maximillian Kolbe, a Conventual Franciscan Friar who gave his life in place of another in a concentration camp during World War II. The final window in the foyer depicts Mary, the Mother of God. Surrounding her image are smaller images representing the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary.
Mr. Gilsoul, the artist who designed these beautiful windows, hoped they would be a source of meditation and would convey an “atmosphere of peace and silence” for the people of St. Casimir Parish. Enjoy their colors, reflect on their meanings and be filled with the beauty and peace they bring to our church and to our hearts.
The Canticle of Brother Sun
Most High Almighty Good Lord,
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessings!
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
And no man is worthy to mention You.
Be praised, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
Especially Sir Brother Sun,
By whom You give us the light of day!
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor.
Of You, Most High, He is a symbol.
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Moon and the Stars!
In the sky you formed them bright and lovely and fair.
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Wind
And for the air and cloudy and clear and all weather,
By which You give sustenance to Your creatures!
Be praised, my Lord, for Sister Water
Who is very useful; and humble and lovely and chaste!
Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Fire,
By whom You give us light at night.
And he is beautiful and merry and strong!
Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Mother Earth.
Who sustains and governs us,
And produces fruits with colorful flowers and leaves!
Be praise, my Lord, for those who forgive for love of You
And endure infirmities and tribulations.
Blessed are those who shall endure them in peace,
For by You, Most High, they will be crowned!
Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Bodily Death,
From whom no living man can escape!!
Woe to those who shall die in mortal sin!
Blessed are those whom she will find in Your most holy will,
For the second Death will not harm them.
Praise and bless my Lord and thank him
And serve Him with great humility!
The Windows at the Church of the Holy Name
The Liturgical Furnishings in Holy Name Church
On each side of the tabernacle, there are stained glass windows. The left window calls to mind man, represented by the hands at the bottom, imploring God, “Come Lord Jesus.” This is a New Testament window. The right window has the hand of God The Creator emerging from a cloud as the Hebrews experienced Him. His word appearing as a wind from the heavens, “I Am Who AM.”
The long lancet window in the tower to the right depicts, from the bottom: Adam and Eve in the garden; Noah’s ark with God’s promise represented by the rainbow; God’s angel stopping Abraham from sacrificing Isaac; the Tablets of the law and Moses’ burning bush; King David, Jesus’ ancestor, represented by the star and the crown; the fiery chariot by which Elijah went to Heaven; at the top, John foretelling the coming of Jesus.
The Large Window Opposite the Altar
This is the only leaded stained glass window in the church. It depicts Jesus, risen in glory in the sky blue background, facing the rising sun. Jesus is looking down at His Congregation, His arms lowered to bless us, His heart open to receive us.
The Altar
The American cherry wood altar supports are carved and its position in the center of the nave allows the priest and the people assembled to be gathered around the table.
The Ambo
The Ambo is located on the central axis of the church to emphasize the importance of the Word of God. Figures representing the Evangelists who wrote the Gospels, are carved into the front of the Ambo.
The Crucifix
The crucifix suspended above the altar is a hand built, hand painted and gold leafed replica of the cross of San Damiano. Another replica of this cross is found at St. Bonaventure Seminary where the founding pastor, Fr. Donald Reilly saw it, liked it and commissioned to have one built for our church. The cross measures fourteen feet tall.
The Pieta
Realizing in 1983 that for ten years Church of the Holy Name did not have any statues, Fr. Donald Reilly contracted to have the Pieta reproduced in Carrara, Italy where the original Pieta was sculpted by Michaelangelo. The statue is four foot high and four foot wide and after considerable discussion and a survey of the parishioners, it was decided to have it placed inside the church. Through Fr. Michael O’Connor’s guidance this shrine was completed and dedicated to Fr. Reilly on June 10, 1986.