Our History... in glass

THE MEDLEY OF SYMBOLS in this stained glass expresses our history and mission. Rest your cursor on different areas of the photograph to learn about the meaning of the symbols used in the glass, or read the complete text below.





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The red title roofs symbolize Caleruega, Spain, the historical and spiritual roots of the Springfield Dominicans. There St. Dominic de Guzman, the 13th century founder of the Order of Preachers, was born.The Dominican saint, Catherine of Siena, addressed Jesus as the “gentle, first Truth” of God, or Veritas. The world’s hunger for this truth motivates Springfield Dominicans to contemplation and action on behalf of the poor and the marginalized in society. Their preaching mission, which began with St. Dominic in Spain and France 800 years ago, continues with the help of the Holy Spirit in Illinois, Peru, and in many other places in the United States and the world. The foundation of this global ministry, which has spanned more than 130 years, is the faith and courage of the woman who pioneered the fledgling congregation in Illinois in 1873. These six, who were members of the Kentucky Dominican foundation, are represented by the red and black hexagon.When she was pregnant with Dominic, Blessed Jane D’Aza dreamed that she would give birth to a dog who would travel the world carrying a torch to set the world on fire with God’s love. The black and white shield is an ancient symbol of the men and women of the Order of Preachers.Two sets of mountains, the rounded, older mountains of Southern France and the sharp, snowy peaks of the Peruvian Andes, symbolize our historical past and our promising future. In 1206 in France, St. Dominic established the first convent of Dominican nuns. Since 1965 we have sown and reaped the fruits of God’s Word in Peru. Since 1985 we have welcomed Peruvian women to join us in mission.The roots of the Springfield Dominicans lie deep in Illinois’ prairies and majestic cornfields.The roots of the Springfield Dominicans lie deep in Illinois’ prairies and majestic cornfields.The sisters first came to Jacksonville, Illinois, from Kentucky in 1873. The violet, the state flower, represents Illinois. Yellow jonquils grow in Sienna Vale, Kentucky, where the first congregation of US Dominican sisters was founded in 1822.

VIOLETS, JONQUILS, CORN, PRAIRIE: The sisters first came to Jacksonville, Illinois, from Kentucky in 1873. The violet, the state flower, represents Illinois. Yellow jonquils grow in Sienna Vale, Kentucky, where the first congregation of US Dominican sisters was founded in 1822. The roots of the Springfield Dominicans lie deep in Illinois’ prairies and majestic cornfields.

 TORCH, SHIELD, VERITAS: Our commitment to preach the gospel is ignited by the example of St. Dominic, who burned with a passion for Veritas, the Truth of God’s Love-Made-Flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. The flame of this passion and the truth of God’s Word ignite the mission of all Dominican women and men who profess their commitment to a common life of prayer, study, and preaching. The black and white shield has for nearly eight centuries represented the men and women of the Order.

MOUNTAINS: Two sets of mountains, the rounded, older mountains of Southern France and the sharp, snowy peaks of the Peruvian Andes, symbolize our historical past and our promising future. In 1206 in France, St. Dominic established the first convent of Dominican nuns. Since 1965 we have sown and reaped the fruits of God’s Word in Peru. Since 1985 we have welcomed Peruvian women to join us in mission.

TILE ROOFS: The red title roofs in the bottom panels of the window symbolize Caleruega, Spain, the historical and spiritual roots of the Springfield Dominicans. It was there that St. Dominic de Guzman, the 13th century founder of the Order of Preachers, was born.

CIRCLE, HEXAGON: The Dominican saint, Catherine of Siena, addressed Jesus as the “gentle, first Truth” of God, or Veritas. The world’s hunger for this truth motivates Springfield Dominicans to contemplation and action on behalf of the poor and the marginalized in society. Their preaching mission, which began with St. Dominic in Spain and France 800 years ago, continues with the help of the Holy Spirit in Illinois, Peru, and in many other places in the United States and the world. The foundation of this global ministry, which has spanned more than 130 years, is the faith and courage of the woman who pioneered the fledgling congregation in Illinois in 1873. These six, who were members of the Kentucky Dominican foundation, are represented by the red and black hexagon.
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