Coronation of Mary Stained Glass

Stained Glass Designs featuring the Coronation of Mary

Mary’s Coronation is a subject of many medieval stained glass windows as well as ones crafted in more modern times. The one characteristic the vast majority of these religious stained glass windows share is that it is Mary’s earthly son Jesus Christ who places the crown on her head. In some cases all three members of the Holy Trinity are found in these stain glass works. God the Father is routinely depicted as an older gentleman, while the Holy Spirit is traditionally represented by a snow white dove. Early stained glass artists frequently depicted the setting of the Coronation as a court filled with the saints and angels, while later creations showed the mother of Christ and her heavenly companions in the clouds.

Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven in this stained glass piece.

The Story of The Coronation

Although the Bible never describes the scene in which the crown of Heaven is placed on Mary’s head, there are several allusions to her royal and holy position. She is referred to as a “queen” in the Book of Revelation and in several other portions of the Bible. Christ is frequently described as a king (king of kings and the newborn king, for instance), so it is only fitting that the woman He called His mother on Earth would share in His glory.

In the Catholic Church, the Coronation of the Virgin is commemorated with a feast day held on August 22, a week after the celebration of her Assumption. Even before this feast day was established by Pope Pius XII in 1954, Mary’s status as the reigning queen of those who dwell in Heaven was celebrated through song. The opening lines of Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven), for instance are: “O queen of heaven rejoice! alleluia: For He whom thou didst merit to bear, alleluia.” Mary’s Coronation is also part of the series of Rosary prayers known as the “Glorious Mysteries.”

In groups of pictorial stained glass windows showing the life of the Virgin, the Coronation of Mary in stained glass is usually the last piece. All Christians would likely agree that Mary was entirely deserving of her title as Queen of Heaven for the selflessness, faith, and commitment to God she displayed throughout her life.

Jesus crowns Mary, Queen of Heaven in this stained glass window panel

Options to Enhance Stained Glass Prints by Stained Glass Inc.:

• Add a Bible verse to incorporate an uplifting message into any of our stained glass designs
• Change the color scheme of any selection in our stained glass gallery to ensure it will work harmoniously with your space
• Add back lighting to enjoy your faceted glass on cloudy days or create virtual stained glass windows and skylights
• Add gorgeous frames or keystones to your pictorial stained glass windows

Visit our site to see our huge selection of Coronation church stained glass and other designs honoring the Virgin Mary!