Our chapel was renovated in 2006, when we enlarged it, added a sacristy,
and installed 5 stained glass windows in the south wall. (There are two more
in our newly renovated library.)
These stained glass windows are very special, first of all because they are
part of our history, and secondly because they depict the Spiritual Works of
Mercy.
The history of the windows
They used to be in the St. Francis Hospital chapel, in Shakopee, Minnesota. Our Sisters served there for many years, and in 1953, 7 beautiful windows were installed into that Chapel, each one an artistic image of a Spiritual Work of Mercy. In 2006, these windows were transferred to our Regional Center Chapel in St. Paul, MN.
The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy performed for the marginalized of society by the Franciscan Sisters of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels were the core ministries that Mother Rose began in 1863, in Germany.
The windows depicting the Spiritual works of Mercy are therefore fitting reminders to reflect on when in our chapel.
The chapel windows
(background blackened for artistic effect)
The meaning behind the windows is interesting reading.
The Spiritual works of Mercy are oriented toward the soul. (The Corporal Works of Mercy are oriented toward the body.) They are to be carried out by all believers as far as they are able, in accordance with the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew 5:7) The works of mercy are also mentioned in the New Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 2447). It is also the second Commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." The following is one person's explanation of the 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy:
Taken from The Daily Catholic March 1st, 2006, part 3 of Virtue and Vice by Gabriel Garnica. Please note: The content has been edited by the Franciscan Sisters of St. Paul.
To Admonish the Sinner
(To Convert the Sinner):
One cannot perform the works of mercy without being willing to admonish the sinner and warn them out of true charity for the sake of their soul. Of course, one must do this with compassion and love, but one cannot let that compassion and love be seen as the drivel of tolerance that is preached today. We are told that we are not to judge others and this is true, but this does not mean that we cannot warn them, teach them and guide them and leave the judging to God.
(To instruct in the mission fields)
Given the premise of the first work described above, it becomes evident that in caring for each other we must become teachers for each other. In the footsteps of Christ and John the Baptist, we each have a duty to speak out against wrong and evil. Sometimes we will need to use gentle tact and other times a loud voice will be needed, but in both cases the object will be to instruct. Our own salvation may very well be influenced by how many people we bring with us to Paradise. By our actions and words, we will either bring many to salvation or to perdition.
If there is one automatically given thing in this world, it is that we as imperfect humans will from time to time experience doubt and confusion. We will all get lost on the road and need directions and guidance. "Doubting Thomas" was not condemned or berated by Jesus Christ when he was having a hard time believing that He had risen from the dead, saying until he saw the wounds in Christ's hands, feet, and side, he would not believe. Jesus even invited Thomas to put his fingers into these wounds. We need to follow our Lord's example in allowing the doubtful to probe us with questions and in response, to show them the truth and counsel them as the Holy Spirit directs.
Sadness and tragedy are all part of life, and the notion that tragedy and misfortune instruct us, is swallowed most easily when one is not the one suffering the pain. We cannot be true Catholics unless we are there to embrace those suffering in some way. Most of the time, all that is needed is to listen and convey our compassion for them with a sympathetic ear.
Patience is a virtue that many of us are too "impatient" to practice, especially when it comes to bearing wrongs. We hold grudges that weigh us down in our spiritual journey and that prevents us from experiencing God's freedom of forgiveness. Christ asked us to turn the other cheek, and that is a hard teaching, but He is the ultimate example. However, we must also take great care that when one accuses us falsely or abuses us, that we guard our dignity. Remember, God is not looking for a "pansy" who won't fight back, but prudent soldiers who choose their battles wisely.
plus a window for St. Joseph
To Forgive All Injuries
One of the most difficult tasks of being a true Catholic is wiping the slate clean of all resentments and hurts. Like Christ, we must be willing to allow the tide of love to wash away the footprints of injury inflicted by others. Healing is found in seeking God to help us forgive and releasing that forgiveness to others, and then avoiding the temptation to look back at those past injuries. Forgiveness does not mean accepting that what someone else did to harm us is really ok. It does not mean tolerating or mindlessly accepting evil and sin, but rather a willingness to see the wound and yet allow that wound to be healed. When we are tempted not to forgive, we should remember that Christ forgave even from the cross.
To Pray for the Living and the Dead
The priority of prayer, in descending order, is praying to God, then praying for others, and lastly praying for oneself. If one prays for the living, one is showing immediate mercy, humility, and selflessness that will surely be rewarded by a wise God. It one prays tor the dead, one is showing an awareness of our universal and ultimate fate, heaven or hell. When we pray for the dead we recognize the Communion of Saints and we believe that even though we don't know where a loved one's soul ends up, we have not wasted our prayers, because God hears our every prayer. In praying for those alive here and those who have passed on to live eternally elsewhere, we unite this world to the next.
