KMP Windows

Saint Francis Xavier

The window of saint Francis Xavier has been criticised for being too loud and gaudy for the chapel. The artist was trying to emphasise the contrast between the glamour of the noble courtier and the humility and self- sacrifice of the saint which he became. In this he succeeded. Saint Francis Xavier is the rich man who gave up everything to follow Christ. Francis Xavier was born in Javier in northern Spain on April 7th 1506. While studying in Paris, he met St. Ignatius Loyola who persuaded him to devote his life to god. He was ordained a priest in 1537 and devoted the rest of his life to missionary work. He died on December 3rd.1552 on his way to China. The novena of grace originated in Naples in 1643 when a Jesuit was cured through the intercession of Francis Xavier. It was first held in Dublin in 1712 in the church at Mary’s lane. Since then it has been held continuously in Dublin and particularly in Gardiner street since 1832 when the church was built.

Saint John the Evangelist

The window depicting Saint John the Evangelist is not from the Harry Clarke studios but from the Earley studios. There is an air of devotion about his earnest face. In his right hand he holds a quill and in his left a copy of his writings. There is a predominance of red in his cloak. A criticism made about it over seventy years ago is that the glass is too transparent and watery. There is too much of the picture about it. Saint john was born in Bethsaida near the sea of galli lee in 6 a.d. to Zebedee. A fisherman and Salome. He was the younger brother of James. He shared in some of the most significant events in the life of Jesus. He was a witness at the raising of the daughter of Jairus and also at the transfiguration. Said to be the author of the fourth gospel, John is identified as" the disciple Jesus loved", who took Mary as his adoptive mother. In later life, both are associated with Ephesus, where John's tomb is venerated and Mary’s house is preserved. We celebrate his feast day on December 27th.