About Stained Glass

An Italian saint, born in the thirteenth century, St. Thomas Aquinas is well-known as an influential academic and a scholar. Artworks in stained glass often show him holding a book or scroll, and he is understandably the patron saint of all universities and students. His feast day is January 28th. From the young age of […]

St. Angela Merici was an Italian religious leader and saint born in 1474. Her parents died when she was fifteen, leaving her and an older sister as orphans. Angela was very disturbed when her sister died suddenly without receiving the Last Sacraments and she prayed fervently for her sister’s soul. In response she received a […]

St. Blaise lived during the Third Century AD in Armenia, born to a rich and noble family who raised him as a Christian. He was a physician and a bishop. There are many church art works depicting St. Blaise, and he is often seen in stained glass images holding a pair of crossed candles which […]

St. Timothy is revered as a first century Christian, Bishop, martyr and saint. In the New Testament he is described as a disciple of St. Paul, accompanying him on his missionary journeys. Timothy grew up in Lystra and was grounded in the scriptures by his Jewish mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, who subsequently became Christians […]

St. Agnes of Rome is the patron saint of chastity, gardeners, engaged couples, rape victims, virgins and Children of Mary. She is depicted in art and stained glass accompanied by a lamb, as her name is similar to the Latin word for lamb (agnus). The brief life of St. Agnes was one of purity and […]

St. Sebastian, patron saint of archers, soldiers and athletes, is a popular choice for Catholic churches, with 45 in the USA being named after him. Stained glass windows portray St. Sebastian as a brave and energetic defender of the faith. He lived in Rome around 260 AD, making many converts and healing the sick. When […]

St. Anthony the Abbot is also known as Anthony the Great or Anthony of the Desert. There are over 340 Catholic churches named after him in the USA alone, making him the fifteenth most popular saint. St. Anthony lived in Egypt during the third and fourth centuries AD, and it is believed that he was […]

Alfred Bessette was born in Canada in 1845 and was later renamed André Bessette. He is also known as St. Andre of Montreal. His father died when André was nine years old, and three years later his mother died leaving him an orphan. Even at a young age, André‘s devotion and generosity did not go […]

Alfred Bessette was born in Canada in 1845 and was later renamed André Bessette. He is also known as St. Andre of Montreal. His father died when André was nine years old, and three years later his mother died leaving him an orphan. Even at a young age, André‘s devotion and generosity did not go […]

St. Stephen is traditionally regarded as the first martyr of Christianity. According to the book of the Acts of the Apostles, he was chosen as a deacon in the early church. His devout life and teachings caused the Jewish authorities to hate him and accuse him of blasphemy. He was undeterred and radiant as he […]