Rose Window
St. Patrick's Church
O'Neill, Nebraska

The window is just a little over thirteen feet in diameter. The large circle with the figure of The Sacred Heart of Jesus is surrounded by eight smaller circles, each of which has the figure of a saint of the Church, all women, incidentally.

The window has been in place, as far as can be determined, since the Church was built in 1911- 1912. Over the years, there was deterioration of the wooden frame, as well as the window itself. In fact, the frame was beginning also to slip out from the building, placing the window, valued at approximately $120,000.00, in serious jeopardy.

Thanks to a gift of $25,000.00 from DeMaris Birmingham of O'Neill, the window was restored and a new frame milled from February to June, 1988.

The metal frame releading and durable protective glass should ensure that the window will grace St. Patrick's Church and be admired for may years to come.

Identification of the saints whose figures are in the window.

1. St. Agnes (Top Circle)

Both St. Augustine and St. Ambrose tell us that Agnes was only thirteen years of age when she died, as a martyr during the persecutions decreed by the Emperor Diocletian in A.D. 303. She was buried on the Via Nomentana, a short distance outside of Rome, where a few years later the Emperor Constantine had a Church erected in her honor. Agnes is designated as Patroness of the Children of Mary. Her feast is January 21.

2. St. Cecilia (Upper West Circle)

Cecilia is believed to have been a native of Rome, and lived in the middle of the second century. For centuries, she has been held in special memory by the Church. Her name is one of those mentioned in the ancient Canon of the Mass, now known as Eucharistic Prayer 1. She is acclaimed as the Patroness of Church Music. Her feast day is November 22.

3. St. Rose of Lima (Middle West Circle)

Rose was born in Lima, Peru, near the end of the sixteenth century. Early in her life, she adopted a life style of severe penance and self-denial, and helped to support her family with her needlework at which she was very skilled. In 1606, she became a Dominican tentiary and died in 1617 at the age of thirty-one. Rose has been named the Patroness of South America. Her feast day is observed on August 30.

4. St. Brigid of Ireland (Lower West Circle)

Brigid was born in County Louth near Dundalk about 450, of parents baptized by St. Patrick. She founded the first convent in Ireland at what is now Kildare, from which others were established. She died in 523 and was buried in the same grave as Sts. Patrick and Columbia. While Brigid is known as the second patron of Ireland, she also is considered the Patroness of Diary Workers. Her feast day is February 1.

5. St. Catherine of Alexandria (Bottom Circle)

Catherine was martyred, probably in the third century at Alexandria in Egypt. Her body was discovered in the eighth century and taken to the monastery on Mount Sinai, which has become identified with her. During her life time, she was well educated and noted for her learning. She is honored as the Patroness of Christian Philosophers and Jurists. Her feast day is November 25.

6. St. Scholastica (Lower East Circle)

Scholastica was the sister of St. Benedict, the founder of Western monasticism. She was attracted to the religious life herself and founded and governed a monastery of nuns. She died about the year 543. Her feast day in February 10.

7. St. Barbara (Middle East Circle)

Little is know of Barbara, except her death as a martyr in 235. She is considered the Patroness of Miners. Her feast day is February 1.

8. St. Teresa of Avila (Upper East Circle)

Theresa lived from 1515 to 1582, in Spain. Professed as a Carmelite nun in 1534, she undertook a successful reform of the Order in those troubled times in the life of the Church. Her feast day is October 15.