Explanation of Mulieris Dignitatem Stained Glass

Therefore the Church gives thanks for each and every woman: for mothers, for sisters, for wives; for women consecrated to God in virginity; for women dedicated to the many human beings who await the gratuitous love of another person; for women who watch over the human persons in the family, which is the fundamental sign of the human community; for women who work professionally, and who at times are burdened by a great social responsibility; for "perfect" women and for "weak" women - for all women as they have come forth from the heart of God in all the beauty and richness of their femininity; as they have been embraced by his eternal love; as, together with men, they are pilgrims on this earth, which is the temporal "homeland" of all people and is transformed sometimes into a "valley of tears"; as they assume, together with men, a common responsibility for the destiny of humanity according to daily necessities and according to that definitive destiny which the human family has in God himself, in the bosom of the ineffable Trinity. The Church gives thanks for all the manifestations of the feminine "genius" which have appeared in the course of history, in the midst of all peoples and nations; she gives thanks for all the charisms which the Holy Spirit distributes to women in the history of the People of God, for all the victories which she owes to their faith, hope and charity: she gives thanks for all the fruits of feminine holiness. MD 31
Trinity Circles: Blue for the Father Creator; Yellow for the Son, the Light of the World and our Redeemer; Red for the Holy Spirit, the fire of Gods love for you. The white triangle is the convergence of all 3 colors, demonstrating union in the Trinity. Man is made in the Image and Likeness of God, for the purpose of union and communion. Adam: Green and brown. Placed between God the Father and the Son, he is redeemed by God, but must toil in the earth as a consequence of his desire to know. Eve: Shades of purple and brown. Placed between God the Father and the Holy Spirit, she suffers the consequence of her pride, She foreshadows the Theotokis, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Woman: This likeness reveals that man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself,

cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself. GS 24

Face: mirror. This is for all women, but specifically you who is viewing it at this moment. Neck: flesh: With her neck, she can turn to see the human needs around her and pour herself out in service. Spousal love always involves a special readiness to be poured out for the sake of those who come with ones range of activity MD21 This is the feminine genius. Clothing: White. A woman is first a daughter of the Father, then a Bride of Christ, but this union is virginal, as seen in the Theotokis. The fold of blue at her heart is in honor of Mother Mary, the model of Spiritual Motherhood. The cloth that the woman is holding: Represents the womans Sincere Gift of Self: Clear. Most times, as it should be, our sincere gift of self goes unnoticed. It is only visible by the Invisible.

Hair: Her hair, and even her body, reflects her femininity. Whether covered or exposed, hair is a sign of the feminine.

4 Corner pieces: St. Terese of Lisuex: Top left square: soft pink. Symbolizes the roses of the Little Flower. St. Terese was granted the title of Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul the VI as part of the symbolism that women have a unique way of making a gift to the Church. St. Terese had a desire to evangelize and change the world. Through her little way her impact on the culture is still felt to this day. St. Catherine of Sienna: top right square: black and white. Her square symbolizes both her religious habit and her strength. St Catherine was also declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI. St. Catherine was obedient to God alone, and had great courage. She is an example of the new feminism, and shows us the influence that women can have over the culture and history. These 2 women are very different in their personalities. I think God wants us to remember that we and others in our lives are each unique. The Catholic Church is Universal and will therefore have many variations within the one truth. We are all diamonds! Pope Paul VI: bottom left corner: red and white. Symbolizing his papal coat of arms. Pope Paul VI is the pope of Vatican II. He is the author of Gaudium et Spes, and several other encyclicals. He, with Pope John Paul II, had a vision of woman, and is quoted; Within Christianity, more than in any other

religion, and since its very beginning, women have had a special dignity, of which the New Testament shows us many important aspects...; it is evident that women are meant to form part of the living and working structure of Christianity in so prominent a manner that perhaps not all their potentialities have yet been made clear"
St. Pope John Paul II: bottom right corner: Marian Blue. My Papa, and the great explainer. He was given insight into the human condition and created the language to express it. Thank you, John Paul, the Great! Frame: iridescent: This teaching and all of the colorful facets of it, cannot be contained but must radiate out to transform the world. You are the diamond that carries his Word as Spiritual Mothers. Horizon: The separation between earth and sky. This line purposely flows through the womb of the woman. Her feminine gift of generating spiritual life. Thus, by considering the reality "Woman - Mother

of God", we enter in a very appropriate way into this Marian Year meditation. This reality also determines the essential horizon of reflection on the dignity and the vocation of women. In anything we think, say or do concerning the dignity and the vocation of women, our thoughts, hearts and actions must not become detached from this horizon. The dignity of every human being and the vocation corresponding to that dignity find their definitive measure in union with God. Mary, the woman of the Bible, is the most complete expression of this dignity and vocation. MD 5
Sun: Pale yellow. It is a rising sun. It is the dawning of the Third Millennium, a new age for women in JPs feminine genius. Jubilee!

Rays: bright yellow. The 4 Rays mark the 4 ends of the earth. We are called to a new evangelization as women. In a new way, we embark on this journey to change the culture and our world.