MADISON — One of the most beautiful elements of the renovated Cathedral of St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Madison is the stained-glass windows. 

These windows have been present in the church since the current structure was built in the 1920s. 

The recent renovation gave a perfect opportunity to fully restore the windows. They were removed, cleaned, and completely re-leaded, resulting in stained glass that is once again stunning and colorful, and should be there to give beauty to the cathedral for the next 100 years.

Many of the windows down the nave are arranged in the same way: An image from the life of Christ in the center, flanked by two images of saints. 

There are numerous subjects for meditation here, including the image of Christ giving the keys to St. Peter, a particularly fitting subject for a cathedral. There is also an image of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, co-patroness of the diocese, on one of the windows of the nave.

The two transepts are even more gorgeously adorned. Most of the larger windows in these spaces feature three scenes from the life of Christ, with three scenes from the Old Testament beneath. 

One example is the window which features Christ’s Nativity. One of the Old Testament scenes below is the sacrifice of Isaac. This combination calls us to mediate on how Christ’s sacrifice fulfills the Old Testament promises, and how great His love for us is, that His express purpose in coming was to offer Himself for His people.

Above the choir loft is an image of three angels, joined by St. Cecilia, patroness of sacred music, and St. David the King, famous for writing and singing the psalms.

The centerpiece of the stained-glass windows is the image above the altar. The church’s patron, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, is pictured receiving a visit from the Child Jesus. This stunning image has been the focus of the apse of St. Bernard’s since it was built, and will continue to be in the new cathedral.

The difference between the temporary clear glass that has been in place, and the newly restored stained-glass windows, is extraordinary. The wonderful light and color that these windows lend to the space not only warms hearts but also calls the mind to God. Their beauty is an encouragement, an education, and a reminder of God all at once. These sublime windows provide a way to allow the natural evangelization of beauty to affect everyone who enters the cathedral. 

For more information on the cathedral project, go to madisoncathedral.org