“The theme for the stained glass windows depicts scenes from the life of St. Joseph.  The focus in Christian art has been on the life of Jesus Christ and his mother Mary, and rightfully so. Earlier in this year I had the opportunity to visit Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church in New Orleans.  While there, I saw a window that depicted the death of Joseph with Mary and Jesus in attendance.   When I was approached to design the stained glass windows for your church I thought it would be an opportunity to explore the themes associated with Joseph, father to Jesus the infant and child, master craftsman who taught his child to be a carpenter, and husband to Mary. 

Each window will have a circle interwoven within a pointed Gothic-style arch.  These two forms create the background of the window and are reminiscent of other historic stained glass windows.  This was meant to give the windows for St. Joseph a traditional aspect.  In the center of each window will be a scene from the life of St. Joseph.  These scenes are created with time-honored glass painting techniques, with traditional images set against an interpretive background of colors in stained glass.  The combination of various types of stained glass, some transparent and some translucent will create a lively visual experience.  Unique to these windows will be the depiction of Cypress trees along the banks of Lake Bruin.  The depiction of Lake Bruin, located so close to the church, serves to place the action of the lives of the saints directly in this community. It is the hope of this artist that the windows will be an inspiration to the parishioners and visitors to St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph, Louisiana.”   

This narrative was submitted by Andrew Cary Young, designer of the stained glass windows, from Pearl River Glass Studio, Jackson, Mississippi. August 30, 2011