“The Fruits of the Holy Spirit”

Our staff recently found a document in our archives that provides a beautiful and well-thought-out description of our stained-glass windows in the Chapel. Take this with you and spend some time exploring “The Fruits of the Holy Spirit.”

As you stand in the back of the chapel, you’ll notice the windows to the right on the southwestern wall. Flames of power dominate the middle three windows. It is as though they have descended from heaven with a mighty force, scattering the shadows of darkness on either side. As their power spreads, the virtues, which are depicted in the other windows, are produced, The Fruits of the Spirit.

The first window to the left of the flames is a crocus. This is one of the first flowers of spring. Often it pushes up through the snow, while the world is still wrapped in the coldness and gloom of winter; the crocus is an apt symbol of JOY.

The first window to the right of the flames contains a heart symbol, representing LOVE.

Proceeding to the right, the two windows on the back wall show the cross, a symbol of FAITH, and a hand giving bread, a symbol of GOODNESS (generosity).

The next two windows on the back wall symbolize MEEKNESS, as a lamb, and TEMPERANCE as calipers.

The first window on the eastern wall the windows reflects a desert cactus, symbolizing PATIENCE. This remarkable plant has to wait for the greater part of every year to receive any life-giving water, yet it lives and thrives in the most difficult conditions. Surely few symbols could be as appropriate to illustrate this rare virtue.

The next window contains the image of a turtle, a symbol of MODESTY. The turtle often shrinks within its shell, remaining hidden from view. Among dictionary definitions of modesty are “reserve, shyness, timidity, unobtrusiveness, a shrinking from notice without assignable reason…” (the opposite of arrogance, boldness, forwardness.)

Next is a porpoise, used here as a symbol of KINDNESS.

The dove is portrayed in the next window, which is a universal symbol of PEACE.

Finally, in the last window, next to the altar, contains a tent that housed the Ark of the Convent in the Old Testament. This is also reminiscent of the first meeting place of worship of the Church of St. Gregory and symbolizes LONGSUFFERING.