The West Window

The Great West Window.

The Great West Window

This window depicts thirty-nine episodes in the life of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.

Saint Patrick was born sometime around 370-380 AD, his exact birth date is unknown.He was born to a wealthy Roman family in Britain. The exact location of his home is also uncertain. In fact very little is known about his early years until we reach his sixteenth birthday, and that is where we pick up his story in this window.

The left light of the West Window

From the bottom of the left hand light, reading upwards, we see twelve scenes of his early life and hardships. The four central medallions in the left hand light depict the following episodes:

The first medallion at the bottom of the left light depicts Saint Patrick being taken captive at the age of sixteen. He was taken captive by Irish marauders and sold as a slave to a chieftain named Milchu in Dalriada, which was a territory in the present county of Antrim. For six years he looked after his master’s sheep in the valley of Braid and on the slopes of Slemish, which is near Ballymena.

The second medallion depicts Saint Patrick feeding cattle and praying in the field. In Saint Patrick’s confession we hear that while tending the animals in his charge, he spent much time praying to God. He writes: “Many times a day I prayed – The love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my Spirit was moved so that in a single day, I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many in the night.” One day, whilst praying, Saint Patrick heard a voice telling him he would soon be travelling home. In his confession he writes: “And there one night I heard in my sleep a voice saying to me: ‘It is well that you fast, soon you will go to your own country.’ And again, after a short while, I heard a voice saying to me: 'See, your ship is ready’.”

The third medallion depicts Saint Patrick praying on the shore as the sailors call him on board. When he arrived at the port, the ship’s Captain would not let him on board, so Patrick did the only thing he could do, he prayed. In his confession he writes: “I began to pray, and before I had ended my prayer, I heard one of them shouting behind me, ‘Come, hurry, we shall take you on in good faith’.”

The fourth and final medallion in the left light depicts Saint Patrick returning home to his family and friends. He had been forcibly taken from his homeland, and now he returned. In his confession he writes: “And again after a few years I was in Britain with my people, who received me as their son, and sincerely besought me that now at last, having suffered so many hardships, I should not leave them and go elsewhere.”

The other eight scenes of his early life, which can be seen either side of the left hand light, are as follows:
Bottom left – 	His mother escaping the Irish marauders.
Bottom right – 	His father grievously wounded during the attack.
Next left going up – 	His sister Lupiat as she is sold.
Next right – 	Saint Patrick himself being sold as a slave.
Next left going up – 	He dreams of a voice promising deliverance.
Next right – 	He flees from his master’s service.
Next left going up – 	He is tossed at sea for three days, having left Ireland by ship.
Next right – 	Saint Patrick crossing deserted country for twenty-eight days without 
                                food, as he journeys home.

The final two scenes at the very top of this light show two angels, each holding part of the same scroll. From left to right, when translated, it reads: “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life”.

Saint Patrick remained in his homeland for only a few years. In his confession he writes: “I saw a vision of a man, whose name was Victoricus, coming as it were from Ireland, with countless letters...As I read the beginning of the letter I thought that at the same moment I heard their voice...and thus they did cry out as with one mouth: ‘We ask thee, boy, come and walk among us once more’.” Saint Patrick knew that God was calling him to return as a missionary to the shores of Ireland. However he didn’t immediately head for Ireland. Instead he travelled to Gaul, where he prepared for the priesthood. From the bottom of the right hand light of our window, reading upwards, we see twelve scenes of his calling and consecration. The four central medallions in the right hand light depict the following episodes: The first medallion depicts Saint Patrick leaving his family and friends a second time to become Apostle of Ireland. He left the shores of Britain and headed for Gaul, where he studied the Gospels, and became a priest. The second medallion depicts Saint Patrick’s consecration to the Episcopate by Germanus. He finally had the approval and blessing of the church to head for the shores of Ireland as Apostle to the Irish people. He headed for the mouth of the Vartry River close to Wicklow Head, where he once more stepped onto Irish soil. The third medallion depicts the hostile reception of Saint Patrick by one of the local Chieftains. Dichu heard that Saint Patrick had come to Ireland to spread the Gospel, and he moved to prevent him from doing this. However, when he confronted Saint Patrick and raised his sword against him, legend tells us that his arm became as rigid as stone, until he agreed to be obedient. Dichu was struck by Saint Patrick’s meekness, and agreed to receive teaching on the Gospels. He later converted to Christianity, and donated a barn to be used by Saint Patrick for celebrating the Eucharist. The fourth and final medallion in the right light depicts Saint Patrick preaching and teaching about the Holy Trinity using the leaf of a Shamrock as an illustration. The other eight scenes of his calling and consecration, which can be seen either side of the right hand light, are as follows: Bottom left – Saint Patrick dreaming of the call by Victoricus. Bottom right – Saint Patrick dreaming of the call by his Saviour. Next left going up – Saint Patrick proceeding to Gaul. Next right – Saint Patrick as Amatorex instructs him. Next left going up – Saint Patrick as he lands in Ireland, Apostle of Inispatrick. Next right – Saint Patrick on the occasion when he was destitute of food, begging for fish and being refused. Next left going up – Saint Patrick instructing Dichu at his own house. Next right – Saint Patrick as he denounces the suicide of Milchu. The final two scenes at the very top of this light once again show two angels, each holding part of the same scroll. From left to right, when translated, it reads: “They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever”.

Saint Patrick’s Role in the Downfall of Druidism and the Establishment of Christianity.

The central light of the West Window

Saint Patrick came to Ireland because he believed that God had sent him to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to the nation. This meant that he was immediately in conflict with the Druids. They were determined to stop him. Saint Patrick was not to be brushed aside. He had been sent by God, and would stop for no one.

The final section of our window is the central light. As we look at the bottom of the centre light, and read upwards, we see fifteen scenes depicting Saint Patrick’s role in the downfall of Druidism and the establishment of Christianity. The five central medallions in the centre light depict the following episodes:

The first medallion is meant to depict Saint Patrick’s first mission to the Druids, and the building of the church at Saul on a site given by Dichu. Dichu confronted Saint Patrick on his way to Dalriada, his home for six years as a slave. He was the first Chieftain to convert to Christianity.

The second medallion is meant to depict Saint Patrick’s second mission to the Druids in Tara. He is seen preaching the Gospel to King Laoghaire and the Druid priests.

The third medallion is meant to depict Saint Patrick’s third mission to the Druids in Connaught. He is seen baptising the king and his brothers. Saint Patrick is said to have spent six years visiting every district in Connaught, organising churches, and instructing the Chieftains and the people.

The fourth medallion is meant to depict Saint Patrick’s fourth mission to the Druids in Armagh. The Chieftain Daire is seen granting the site to Saint Patrick. The present Cathedral of Armagh stands on that site. During this time a wonderful spread of the Christian faith is said to have occurred throughout the province.

The fifth and final medallion, which is at the very top, is meant to depict the burial of Saint Patrick at Dun-da-leth-glaisse, which is the ancient name for the district now known as Downpatrick

The other ten scenes of his role in the downfall of Druidism and the establishment of Christianity which can be seen either side of the central light are as follows:
Bottom left – 	Saint Patrick’s Confession or Creed.
Bottom right – 	The excommunication of Coroticus.
Next left going up – 	Lomman as his disciple.
Next right – 	Saint Patrick entering the country.
Next left going up – 	The baptism of Hercus at Tara.
Next right – 	Saint Patrick composing Lorica.
Next left going up – 	Saint Patrick administering the Holy Sacrament.
Next right – 	The Council christianising the laws.
Next left going up – 	Saint Patrick being warned of his death by an 
                                angel.
Next right – 	Saint Patrick’s death from old age.

Saint Patrick was truly a man of God, but what was it that made him believe he was following God’s will?

Yes! He had dreams given him by God. Yes! He had visions of what he had to do. Yes! He heard voices telling him where to go, but ultimately nothing could have forced him to do what he did. There was only one thing that could have driven him on in this way, and that was his faith to believe that what he was doing was God’s will for him.

Saint Patrick trusted God implicitly and had faith to believe in Jesus Christ.