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Stained Glass
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St Matthew, St Matilda, St Robert
Window located in the Sacred Heart Chapel : Figures shown are Left Panel - St Matthew Centre Panel -St Matilda, Right Panel - St Robert.
St Matthew : (below) Depicted with a book-possibly the tax collector's ledger (when portrayed as an Evangalist) The money bags depicted below the main figure is also typically used (usual where the emphasis is on Matthews role as Disciple)
He was a tax collector. His fellow Jews would have regarded him as a traitor, gathering their money to fill the coffers of the roman force. Jesus called Matthew to be a disciple when he passed him sitting in the tax collector's booth. He rebuked the Pharisees for the attitude that would have excluded the likes of Matthew : 'I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners' (Matthew 9:9-121). He is the Patron Saint of Bankers.
Dedication panel to Matthew Honan
St Matilda : (below) Raised by her grandmother, an abbess, she was, as were so many royal women, married off for political purposes. In her case it was to Henry the Fowler of Saxony, who became King of Germany. As queen, Matilda was humble, pious, and generous, and was always ready to help the oppressed and unfortunate. Matilda built many churches, and founded or supported numerous monasteries. She spent many days at these monasteries. She was venerated as a saint immediately after her death. Her feast is celebrated on 14 March.
St Robert : (below) Roberto Bellarmino was born at Montepulciano to a noble though impoverished family, a nephew of Pope Marcellus II. His abilities showed themselves early. His father destined him for a political career, hoping that he might restore the fallen glories of the house. His mother, however, wished him to enter the Jesuits, and her influence prevailed. Having been ordained there, he quickly obtained a reputation both as a professor and a preacher. He wrote the Disputationes de controversiis christianae fidei, first published in 1581-"1593" . A monumental work - This was the earliest attempt to systematize the various controversies of the time, and made an immense impression throughout Europe. He was canonized in 1930; the following year he was declared a Doctor of the Church. His body rests in the Church of Sant'Ignazio, the chapel of the Roman College, next to the body of his student, St. Aloysius. In his old age he was allowed to return to his old home, Montepulciano, as its bishop for four years, after which he retired to the Jesuit college of St. Andrew in Rome. Bellarmino died in Rome in 1621.
Detail to side panels
This is a memorial window dedicated to Matthew, Matilda and Robert Honan.
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