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Description of the Windows in St. Brigid's Church, Mount Bolus

On the left side wall there is a depiction of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Elizabeth which recalls the journey of Mary having agreed to be the Mother of the Lord. Also shown are Joseph and Zeccariah. The dove hovering above the scene of the two cousins meeting is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. An inscription on the window reads ‘Pray for the souls of deceased relatives of John Rourke RIP’.

The three windows behind the High Altar are spectacular for their depth of colour. The left window depicts the Annunciation. Mary is asked to bear the Saviour of the world. Mary consents and the Lord is conceived through the Holy Spirit. In the window, Mary is depicted at prayer. The Father is sending the Holy Spirit. The angel holds a scroll that reads "Ave Ma. (Maria) Plena Gratia" Hail Mary full of Grace. This moment of joy is tempered by the foretelling of Christ crucified to the bottom left of the window. On a scroll is written: "et homo factus est" And (the Word) was made man. The inscription reads ‘Erected by Parishioners in memory of their deceased relatives’.

The centre window has the crucifixion as its theme. Mary the mother of Jesus and her companions stand at the foot of the cross as Jesus dies. At the ninth hour the Lord yielded the Spirit. The Spirit is once again shown above the cross, a cherub to either side. The window was ‘erected by John and Mrs. Rourke in memory of their deceased Parents.’

The window to the right shows the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary assumed into heaven is crowned by Christ the High King of Heaven. Angels play musical instruments inspiring in us a sense of the celestial world where the angels and saints forever sing the praises of God. The window bears the inscription ‘Erected by James and Mrs. Scully in memory of Thos. Mahon decead.’

The final window in the sanctuary on the right hand wall is a depiction of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is brought to heaven standing on the moon surrounded by the stars. The crown of glory awaits Mary. Angels look on as the grieving apostles look to her tomb and to the heavens. The window asks prayers ‘for the repose of the souls of Parents and brother of Dan and Patk. Lawlor RIP.’

The windows throughout the rest of the church are simpler in design and bear a symbol in the centre of each.

On the left hand side (Our Lady’s Altar side) of the church from the altar to the main door the first window bears the words "et incarnatus est" and (The Word) was made flesh. This reflects the cause of the publication of this book. The Son of God was made flesh. He lived among us. The inscription reads ‘In memory of William Behan RIP.’

The second window depicts two turtle doves. These were brought as an offering when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for the first time. Simeon the priest looked at the child and said "At last all powerful master, I can go in peace for my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all people to see". Simeon also told Mary that a sword would pierce her soul. At that stage she did not know what awaited Jesus. The window is ‘in memory of the wife and parents of James Horan JP RIP.’

The third window shows the scrolls of the scriptures - the word of God. We are enriched by the message of God in the books of the Old and New Testament when they are read for us. Jesus went to the temple in Nazara and read from the Prophet Isaiah. " These word are being fulfilled even as you hear them" The Lord is the fulfilment of the prophets. The window is ‘in memory of James Kinnarney RIP.’

The last window on the side wall shows the chalice. Jesus celebrated the last supper with his closest of friends. During that meal he gave his body and blood as food and drink. These would strengthen his apostles. The Lord strengthens us as we gather in this holy place to share his heavenly food. At the Last Supper the Lord gave his body and blood as food and drink. In the following days he gave his body and shed his blood on the cross. The window is ‘erected by Denis Bracken in memory of his deceased wife and children RIP.’

On the back wall of the church are three windows depicting the instruments of the passion. The pillar and whips remind us how Jesus was scourged. The Crown of thorns that was placed on his head. And the cross that he bore on the journey from Jerusalem to Golgotha. Jesus endured suffering to show how deep was his love for us. The window with the Pillar was ‘Erected by the mens Sacred Heart Sodality in memory of deceased members RIP.’ The window with the crown of thorns was ‘erected by the Womens Sacred Heart Sodality in memory of deceased members RIP.’ The window with the cross was ‘erected by the Children of Mary in memory of their deceased members RIP.’

The windows on the right hand side of the church continue the story of the Lord.

The window closest to the main door shows the nails cross and the nails that were used to crucify Jesus. A spear pierced his side. This window was ‘erected by Edward and Mrs. Tarleton in memory of their deceased parents and relatives RIP.’

The next window shows the Lamb with the standard. The lamb was the traditional sacrifice at the passover. As the lambs were brought to the temple to be sacrificed Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice to take away the sins of the world. The lamb of God with the Standard is a symbol of the resurrection. Jesus offered on the cross has risen from the dead. He is triumphant. The window is ‘erected by Mrs. C. Costello in memory of her deceased husband & Son Bro. Dermott RIP.’

The footprints and glorious rays from heaven depicted in the next window tell the story of the Lord’s ascension into heaven. This window is ‘in memory of Danl.& Mrs. Devey & Katie Lynam RIP.’

The final window in the church is a representation of the Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Tongues of fire appear from heaven. The window is ‘in memory of Parents of Thomas and Richard Scully.’