St Stephen's Church, Skipton

Virtual Tour - the Lady windows

The three stained glass windows in the Lady Chapel all depict the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The main window above the altar depicts a pivotal moment in salvation history which has captivated artists for centuries. It is the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) account. Mary's "Yes" to God's will is the example of obedience and humility which the Church has sought to follow ever since she uttered those words: "I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word." In this window, the two windows show the dialogue between the angel Gabriel and Mary and in the right window, one can see the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove coming down upon Mary and effecting the miracle of a Virginal Conception.

The lower portions of the windows show the Tempest arms and a vase of lilies. The lily is a symbol of virginal purity and hence the emblem of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The consequences of Mary's obedience includes her own suffering and sorrow. The image of Mary's heart pierced with seven swords is an allusion to Luke 2:35 when Simeon tells her: "A sword shall pierce your own soul too." Indeed Mary is a model and inspiration for any mother who has had to suffer the tragic and sad loss of a child, let alone an only son, as Jesus was.

The image of Mary crowned is not unusual but in this posture, she is called the Sedes Sapientiae or the Seat of Wisdom. Wisdom is a divine attribute and Mary has long been associated with Wisdom. Particularly when she is holding out her son for our contemplation she is like Wisdom who makes God known and unveils the folly of human ways to reveal divine truths.