The Crucifixion

Portrayals of the crucifixion of Christ derive their visual details mainly from the four Gospels.

Mary and John standing together to the left of the cross.

We now find a highly emotional Mary Magdalene embracing the foot of the cross.

INRI

The letters INRI are initials for the Latin title that Pontius Pilate had written over the head of Jesus Christ on the cross (John 19:19). Latin was the official language of the Roman Empire. The words were "Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Ivdaeorvm." Latin uses I instead of the English J, and V instead of U (i.e., Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum). The English translation is "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." The Early Church adopted the first letters of each word of this inscription INRI as a symbol. Throughout the centuries INRI has appeared in many paintings of the crucifixion.

The Immaculate Conception

The Immaculate Conception is one of the Basilica's patrons.

In Roman Catholic teaching, "original sin" is the sin of Adam which humans inherit at conception but which is washed away in Baptism.

"The Immaculate Conception" is the doctrine that Mary was preserved from original sin at the moment of conception, receiving in advance the grace of Baptism that her son would earn for all mankind.

Images that celebrate this doctrine represent Mary as the woman of Revelation 12:1, "And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars."

The stained glass is typical. It shows the crown of twelve stars

Often the Virgin stands on a globe or on a crescent moon as she does in this stained glass.

Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick is the most celebrated of all of the Irish Saints. In the Basilica Cathedral of St. John the Baptist there are three stained glass windows dedicated to St. Patrick that celebrate his connections to the Irish in Newfoundland.

The Shamrock

"Shamrock" is the common name for several different kinds of three-leafed clovers native to Ireland.

The shamrock was chosen Ireland's national emblem because of the legend that St. Patrick had used it to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity. The Trinity is the idea that God is really three-in-one: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

Patrick demonstrated the meaning of the Three-in-One by picking a shamrock from the grass growing at his feet and showing it to his listeners. He told them that just as the shamrock is one leaf with three parts, God is one entity with three Persons.

The Irish have considered shamrocks as good-luck symbols since earliest times, and today people of many other nationalities also believe they bring good luck.

The Harp

The harp is an ancient musical instrument used in Ireland for centuries. It is also a symbol of Ireland. Harpists, who were often blind, occupied an honored place in Irish society. Harpists and bards (or poets) played an important role in the social structure of Ireland. They were supported by chieftans and kings.

Although it is not as recognizable as the shamrock, the harp is a widely used symbol. It appears on Irish coins, the presidential flag, state seals, uniforms, and official documents.

Melchizedek

"And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was the priest of the most high God.

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thine hand." GENESIS 14:18-20

The Last Supper

The stained glass artist is making the connection between the Old and New Testament stories. In the Old Testament Melchizedek , the high priest , brought forth bread and wine.