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Light shines through the intricately detailed feathers of the angel’s wings.
On glass, the artist created each delicate fold of the angel’s robes, and a look of reverence in the eyes.
To the left of this window, another glass angel looks similarly adoring: Both are staring in adoration at a center window, a depiction of the monstrance containing the Holy Eucharist, or Host, representing Jesus.
These newly installed stained-glass windows in the chapel of St. Paul Catholic Church on U.S. 72 were created with a personal touch — the glass representation of the monstrance replicates St. Paul’s version that sets atop the chapel altar, a golden vessel that holds the Holy Eucharist.
The three windows — two angels flanking the monstrance — were ordered a few months ago because the local church was designated a pilgrimage site by the Birmingham diocese for the Year for Priests, said church secretary Kathi Davis.
The windows were installed Thursday in time for a special mass Sunday that closes the special year, which was designated by Pope Benedict XVI. David Foley, bishop emeritus for the Birmingham diocese, will celebrate mass and bless the windows.
St. Paul’s Father Charley Alookaran had the idea of creating windows representing Adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist.
In the Catholic church, Adoration is a time when parishioners can come to the chapel and pray to Jesus, represented by the Host, which is placed in the center of the monstrance for the services.
Adoration is held in the chapel, while mass is held in the main church. The chapel is also a place where daily mass is held.
Davis said other priests, family, friends and special guests are expected at the Sunday mass. Sunday’s schedule is 12:15 to 4 p.m., Adoration of the Most Holy Eucharist; 4:30 p.m. procession of the Blessed Sacrament; 5 p.m., mass with Bishop Foley as celebrant; followed by dinner.
The windows were created by Judson Portzer of Ron Hogan Art Glass in Huntsville, who said the three panes took between six to eight weeks to complete.
The monstrance containing the Host was “faithfully reproduced from photographs” of St. Paul’s vessel, Portzer said.
The designs are painted on the glass, he said.
“All of that was painted and fired in a kiln so that it becomes a permanent part of the glass,” he said.
For more information on the windows or upcoming services, contact St. Paul Catholic Church at 256-232-4191.
Local News
Related Photos
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An finely detailed angel looks adoringly toward the Holy Eucharist on a stained glass window installed Thursday at St. Paul Catholic Church. News Courier/Kelly Kazek
Discussion
New windows installed at St. Paul to honor Year for Priests
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