This window is
centered on the ancient Christian image of the pelican wounding herself in
order to feed her young when food is extremely scarce. The grapes beneath the
nest represent the blood of Christ poured out for our redemption. This image
represents the agape or unconditional love of Christ for us on the sacrifice of
the cross.
The Holy Spirit on
top of the image takes the superabundant graces from Christ's sacrifice and
applies them to our redemption and sanctification, which is symbolized by the
fiery (white, yellow red) shapes that surround the image. The two red diamond
shapes on either side of the central image contain each a letter (J for Jesus
and M for Mary) topped with a crown. The red (for martyrs) back- ground and
golden crown represent Jesus and Mary as the King and Queen of martyrs.
Although Mary did not die a martyr's death her suffering in union with Jesus on
the cross-caused a sword of agony to pierce her heart, as Simeon had prophesied
at the presentation. The church has declared her Queen of Martyrs and this
title is in the litany of Laredo. The twenty small light blue circles that
surround the central image represent the twenty mysteries of the rosary, which
is a contemplative prayer on the life of Jesus and Mary on earth and their life
of glory in heaven. The two large circles beneath the King and Queen of martyrs, each contain the
six-pointed star of the Old Testament and the eight-pointed star of the New
Testament, which together makes up the sacred scripture and which tells of the
sacrificial agape love of Jesus and Mary. At the bottom of the window are two
large circles. The circle on the left contains the Sacred Heart of Jesus and
the one on the right contain the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which are symbols of
their burning charity. The cross
in the center has the Eucharist superimposed on it to represent the oneness of
the sacrifice of Christ's on the cross and his sacrifice in the mass.