Sanctus Matthias, Sanctus Petrus, Sanctus Andreas

Saint Andrew the Apostle

The crucifixion of St. Andrew with an emphasis on the saving power of the cross is the image most portrayed by artist when considering Saint Andrew. . For this reason, the cross is Andrew's attribute in this stained glass window. The cross the shape of an X, influenced by the story of St. Peter's crucifixion upside-down. The X-shaped cross is known as the "cross saltire." As an apostle St. Andrew is also commonly shown with a book, a contemplative emphasis to meditate on his book

The subjects for narrative images of St. Andrew include his crucifixion, his calling by Christ as related in Matthew 4:18-20, the legendary episodes from his years as a preacher, and miracles affected in his name.

Feast day: November 30

Saint Peter the Apostle

From the earliest images until modern times St. Peter's primary attribute is a pair of keys referring to Christ's words to Peter in Matthew 16:18-19 "I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Because this text is cited in support of papal sovereignty, he is sometimes portrayed as a Pope, with a triple tiara or a triple cross. He also often has a book, a reference to the two New Testament letters ascribed to him.

Feast days:

June 29 (Crucifixion of St. Peter)

February 22 (St. Peter's Chair)

November 18 (Dedication of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul)

Saint Matthias the Apostle

St. Matthias is the disciple who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, according to Acts 1:12-26. According to legend, St. Matthias was assigned to preach in Judea. St. Matthias was killed with an axe.

Images from the modern era sometimes show St. Matthias with an axe or spear, and often with a book.

Feast day: February 24

Sanctus Philippo, Joannes, Sanctus Jacobus Major

Saint Philip the Apostle

According to Legend, there was a city beset by a dragon. Philip persuaded the people to replace their idol of Mars with a cross, and when they did so he was able to drive the dragon away. Thus, his attributes are a cross and a dragon, , or a cross alone.

St. Philip is not often represented outside of collections of the twelve apostles.

Feast day: May 1

Saint James the Less, Apostle

St. James the Less was the leader of the Christian community in Jerusalem. The traditional account is that he was martyred by being thrown from the parapet of the Temple, stoned, and finally beaten to death with a fuller's club. The club is his attribute, as is shown in the stained glass.

Feast day: May 3

Saint John the Evangelist

St. John was one of the apostles and was traditionally taken to be the author of the Gospel of John; 1, 2, and 3 John; and the Book of Revelation.

In the story that had the greatest influence on the saint's iconography, St. John proves his bona fides by drinking a cup of poison without ill effect. Artists solved the problem of how to represent a poisonous liquid by using snakes as a visual metaphor, as in the image at left. When St. John is portrayed among saints other than the apostles his attribute is often the chalice rather than the eagle

When the Gospels mention St. John along with his brother St. James, they almost list James first. From this the tradition grew that he was younger than James. To indicate this youthfulness, artists usually have him without a beard,.

Feast days: May 6

St. Jude Thaddaeus, Virgin Mary, St. John the Baptist

Donor: Bishop John Thomas Mullock and Family

Builder: - Warrington Window

Memory Text: Orate pro Thoma et Maria Mullock

Saint Jude Thaddeus, Apostle

St. Jude's attribute is a pole or halberd. Legend says he was hacked to death by pagan magicians, and perhaps the halberd refers to that event. In modern times St. Jude gained popularity as "the saint of hopeless cases."

Feast day: October 28

St. John the Baptist, Prophet and Martyr

St. John the Baptist is the patron saint of the City of St. John's and the Basilica Cathedral. Most images of St. John the Baptist draw on scriptural sources: his birth as recounted in Luke 1:5-25 and 57-66 and his beheading in Matthew 14:3-12 and Mark 6:17-29.

An important attribute that distinguishes St. John the Baptist in all art forms is the lamb, referring to John's words regarding Jesus: "Behold the lamb of God" John 1:29.

Feast days:

June 24 (Birth of St. John the Baptist)

August 29 (Beheading of St. John the Baptist)

Mother and Child

A great deal of the symbolism for Mary comes from the Book of Revelation 12: 1-5: A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.

Jesus promises crowns of Glory, Life and Righteousness to all who persevere and endure with him to the end.

Globe-like objects in the baby's hand, symbolizing the sphere of the Earth, Almighty God are being incarnate in this little child.

The child on the Virgin's lap with a volume of scripture inviting contemplation.