This stained-glass window of Bl. Maria Celeste, Foundress of the Redemptoristine Order was originally installed in Our Mother of Perpetual Help Monastery in Esopus, NY in 1960. This was the first Redemptoristine monastery in the United States.
When we moved from Esopus in 2013 to live with the Discalced Carmelites in Beacon, NY, we brought her with us and the window was enthroned in their gathering space.
Again, we have moved. This time to live with the Dominicans Sisters of Sparkill, NY. Because we were moving to a smaller personal living space, we photographed the window of Celeste and had it framed. It now graces 'Celeste Hall,' our community room.
Description of the window:
Jesus is the Sun/Son of Love!
He revealed to Celeste the Plan of Love for the salvation of souls by giving
her a Rule on which to build a new religious Order based on his life. Particularly his Incarnation and as a Wayfarer on earth.
Celeste is kneeling upright because, though she is humble, her
faith and trust in God makes her a strong instrument of God.
The background setting is the town of Scala, meaning ladder,
above the Amalfi Sea not far from Naples, Italy, where Bl Celeste was born.
We celebrate her
feast day on September 11th.
