The figure of our patron saint, Catherine (1347-1380), dominates this window. She is clothed in the habit of the mantellate, a name given to lay women who were Dominican nuns living in the world but not of it.  Unlike most of the religious orders of women at that time, they were not cloistered.  A painting of Catherine by a contemporary was used as a model for the face of the saint.  The lilies at the upper left and lower right are the heraldic […]

The window above the choir loft is meant to direct the whole assembly toward the Parousia, that is, the second coming of our Lord.  The splendid azure color of the window is evocative of the heavens.  In the Book of Revelation 21:1, we read: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.”  In the center of the window, we find a throne set upon a ruby and emerald base.  The precious stones recall the description of the new and heavenly […]

The right panel shows the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovering over the apostles hiding behind walls “for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19).  They are surrounded by fire.  The Acts of the Apostles reports that these tongues of fire “parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim” (Acts 2:3-4).  The billowing curtain is evocative of […]