• The Patron Saint
• The Present Church
• The Architect
• The Stained Glass Windows
• The Great Rose Window
• Latin Inscriptions
• The Paintings
• Religious Devotional Art
• Pope John Paul II and the St Stanislaus Kostka Connection

The Great Rose Window

The circle is the symbol of God, the Father of Eternity. It expresses the sense of the eternal in the universe and the person. The spokes of the wheel create an image of the rays of the sun, a symbol of Jesus Christ, Son of God. The wheel is a universal symbol of time, endless repetition of night and day, season after season, age after age, a healing image of order in a chaotic world. The radiating pattern suggests the many ways to the One at its center. The Star of David reminds us of the covenant made with Abraham and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The star is made up of two triangles- the symbol of the Trinity, and represents the fulfillment of old and new covenant.

Facing the Right Nave Windows (starting at the Sanctuary)

Saint Peter, Apostle, first Pope. Simon was a simple fisherman called by Christ to be an apostle. He was given the role of shepherding the Church when Jesus said ... "You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church" Martyred in Rome by crucifixion in 67A.D.

Symbols: Keys -to the kingdom of Heaven. Book the New Testament.

Saint Paul, Missionary and Apostle to the Gentiles. "Saul" was a bitter persecutor of the early Christians. While on the road to Damascus, he was converted by an overwhelming encounter with Christ Martyred in Rome, he was beheaded.

Symbols: Sword -the instrument of his death. Pen and scroll -known for his learning and writing.

Saint Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Church
Born in Portugal in 1195, Franciscan known for his life of holiness and eloquent, relentless preaching. His sermons were so popular that churches could not hold the huge crowds.

Symbols: Lily -purity of life. Christ child -for the appearance to Anthony of the child Jesus.

Saint Charles Borromeo, Archbishop and Cardinal. Born in Italy in 1538, He is noted for his concern for the education of learned, holy priests. One of the towering figures of the council of Trent. His position of great power was carried out with humility and unselfishness.

Symbol: Cross -denoting exceptional piety.

Saint John Nepomucene, Priest and Martyr.
Born in Bohemia in 1330. Known for his inspired preaching. Kept the seal of confession even under torture, refusing to reveal the queen's confession to the king. He was shackled and thrown into the river to drown.

Symbols: Palm -symbol of martyr's triumph over death. Finger to lips -seal of confession.

Saint Hycinth, Missionary and Apostle to Poland
Born in Poland in 1185. Dominican priest who evangelized the Poles. Preached in Scandinavia, Prussia and Lithuania. Died in 1257 on the feast of the Assumption.

Symbols: Chalice -faith. Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary -devotion to Mary.

Saint Cyril, Missionary
Born in Greece. Cyril with his older brother, Methodious were missionaries to Slavonic people. Cyril and Method knew Slavonic and developed the written language. The Cyrillic alphabet is still in use today for many of the Slavonic languages. Cyril died in Rome in 869.

Symbols: Pen and scroll -outstanding scholar and writer.

Saint Methodius, Missionary. After Cyril's death, Methodius took up his brother's leadership. He received permission from the Pope to celebrate the liturgy in Slavonic. Later returning to Greece he translated the Bible into Slavonic. He died in 885. The two brothers are examples of church unity and ecumenism.

Symbol: crown -emblem of victory.

Facing the Right Gallery Windows (starting at the Vestibule)

Crown of Thorns, Nails, I.N.R.l. lnscription Emblems of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus. I.N.R.I. means Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews

IHS
Sacred monogram based on the Greek word meaning Jesus.

Saint Stanislaus Kostka
patron of this church.

Pelican Nest
Symbol of Christ's love for his church. Legend tells of pelicans piercing their skin and feeding their young with their blood. Symbolic of Christ shedding his blood for us

Ascension of Jesus into Heaven
After the crucifixion and death of Jesus, He rose from the dead and after 40 days on earth He ascended into heaven with the promise that he is with us till the end of time. He passes his stewardship of the church on to the Apostles seen in the lower panels.

Saint Barbara, Virgin and Martyr
One of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages.  She was imprisoned by her father for being a Christian.  Because of her steadfast faith she was beheaded by her own father with the blow from an axe.  Patron of firefighters, miners and soldiers.  

Symbols: Palm -symbol of martyr’s triumph over death.  Tower -place of imprisonment.  Crown -glory of martyrdom.

Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr
In 1802 in the Saint Priscilla catacombs a  tomb with carvings of two anchors, three arrows, a palm and a flower was found with the inscription “Peace be with thee, Philomena”.   Within was the skeleton of a girl 13 to 15 years old whose skull had been broken.  

Symbols: Anchor -hope and immovable firmness. Arrow - dedicated their lives to God.

Saint Rose of Lima, Patron of South America
Born in Peru in 1586. Christened Isabelle, but called “Rose” because of her beauty.  She felt drawn to a life of virginity and austerity.  Her mother wanted her to marry and opposed her becoming a Third Order Dominican.  She was ridiculed and persecuted by her family and friends.  First new world Saint. 

Symbol: single rose -love.

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Virgin, Wife, Widow
Born into Hungarian  royal family, niece of St. Hedwig.  Married at 14 to Louis IV, who died in 1227 while on a Crusade.  Elizabeth retired to a Franciscan convent devoting herself to the sick, aged and poor.  She died at age 24. 

Symbol: Crown -royal birth.  Basket of Roses -while feeding bread to the poor her husband ordered her to open her cloak and roses fell out.

Heart of Mary,  Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary has been closely associated with the congregation of the Holy Ghost.   The coat of arms of the order has the Heart of Mary at its center while the Holy Spirit is descending as one of God’s gifts to us all.  The motto of the order is “Cor unum at anima una - One Heart and one Soul.”  Holy Ghost fathers served this parish.

Heart of Jesus.  A natural symbol of His ardent and total love.  The heart is the symbol of true love, understanding, mercy and for happiness and joy, as well as sorrow.  Jesus in His divine love shared our humanness.  His heart is open for all of us to receive the grace of salvation.  All we need to do is to say yes to Him.

Lamb with Banner
Symbol of the Resurrection.  Lamb is the symbol of Christ.  Cross Banner symbol of victory and salvation.

M A
Monogram for Mary, the Blessed Virgin, Mater Dei, Mother of God.

Descending Dove
Over the pierced heart of Mary -her seven sorrows and immaculate heart.  Taken from the coat of arms of the Holy Ghost Fathers who served this church when it was built.

Cross and Crown

Cross - Sign of victory and salvation. 

Crown -mark of victory and sovereignty.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary entered the glory of Heaven not only with her soul, but with her body as well.   She was preserved from sin from her conception.  The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is August 15th.

Rondel Windows

In 1936, after the explosion at the banana warehouse that damaged the church causing the removal of the tower bonnets, three of the rondel windows in the sanctuary were cemented over. After being hidden for 66 years, they were reopened in May of 2002 in preparation of the 110th anniversary of the consecration of the church. Their beauty has been revealed to a new generation.

Angles with Ave Maria Banner. 
Facing the Sanctuary to the left.

Angels with St Joseph Banner. 
Facing the Sanctuary to the right.

Christ the King Surrounded by the Four Evangelists. 
Above the crown over the altar.
In this window, in Christ's hand is a banner which reads, ”Qui Vicerit Dabei Sedere, Mecum In Throno Meo "He who has conquered (God) will grant you to sit with me on my throne."