The windows in the Church of the Resurrection are a veritable
celebration of Catholic belief in the "Communion of Saints." The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states our
belief in the Communion of Saints in this way: "After confessing the ‘holy Catholic church,' the Apostle's
Creed adds ‘the communion of Saints.' This is a further definition of the Church as the People of God. (Para. 946)
"Since all the faithful form one body, the good of each is communicated
to the others . . .We must therefore believe that there exists a communion of goods in the Church. But the most important
member is Christ, since he is the head . . .Therefore, the riches of Christ are communicated to all the members through the
Sacraments. (Para. 947)
"The term ‘Communion of Saints'
has two closely linked meanings: communion ‘in holy things' and ‘among holy persons."' (Para. 948)
"It is not merely by the title of example that we cherish the memory of those
in heaven; we seek, rather, that by this devotion to the exercise of fraternal charity the union of the whole Church in the
Spirit may be strengthened. As Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion
with the Saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the people of
God itself. (Para. 957)
The windows in our Church express this belief
in the Communion of Saints beautifully and effectively. Christ is at the center and forefront in our mural and in the rose
window in the balcony. The Saints depicted in the windows are gathered around him and are in relation to him. We the Church
on earth are surrounded by this fellowship of witnesses who continue to pray for us and spur us on to share with them in the
Victory of Christ Risen from the Dead.
Take some time to familiarize
yourself with the Saints depicted in the windows. We especially call your attention to the newest windows dedicated to saints
only canonized in the twentieth century.
