Steve's Genealogy Blog » St. Vincent de Paul

It Was a Tough Decision but the Award Goes to…

Steve — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:01:41 +0000

It’s time for the iGene Awards – an opportunity for the participants in the next Carnival of Genealogy to share what they consider to be their best posts in the categories of Best Picture, Best Screen Play, Best Documentary, Best Biography, and Best Comedy.

I selected many of the winners, in part, based on reader input. And now, the envelope, please…

Best Picture: The Nativity

The Nativity is a photograph of a stained glass window I took at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York on 09 Jul 2007. The main reason I’ve awarded the iGene trophy to this photograph is that the St. Vincent de Paul Society (England and Wales) chose the photo for the cover of the Winter 2007 edition of their newsmagazine, Vincentian Concern.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is an international Christian volunteer organization serving the impoverished and disadvantaged. I was pleased to help the organization by providing the cover photograph for their publication.

Best Screen Play: The Biography of Katarzyna Dańko

Although I wrote the post on the Biography of Katarzyna Danko, the biography and the English translation were provided by Kasia Tropiło. Kasia is the great great grandaughter of Katarzyna Dańko, and Kasia is probably my fourth cousin, twice removed. Kasia and I still need to obtain two marriage records to prove our relationship.

In addition to the English translation, I posted the story in Polish as Katarzyna Dańko: Biografia.

Katarzyna’s life story is both wonderful and terrible at the same time. Her story is interwoven with that of Marysia, a baby abandoned on Katarzyna’s doorstep and raised as Katarzyna’s own. At the beginning of World War II, Katarzyna and Marysia were arrested by the Soviets and exiled to the Gulag. Perhaps the saddest part of Katarzyna’s story is that the final years of Katarzyna’s life were echoed by hundreds of thousands of other Poles sent into exile by the Soviets.

I’d love to see Katherine Hepburn playing the starring role of Katarzyna and a young Elizabeth Taylor (from about the time of National Velvet) playing Marysia.

Best Documentary: Ethics in Publishing Family Histories

By far, the most widely read article I’ve ever written is “Ethics in Publishing Family Histories”. The article was originally written for the 29th Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy hosted by footnoteMaven. Not only did the article generate more traffic to my blog than did any other article, but it also generated the greatest number of comments, some by genealogy luminaries. The article has also been reprinted in a number of genealogical society newsletters across the country.

Best Biography: For My Mother

The first part of this five part miniseries about my mother was published on the anniversary of her birth – October 6. The installments included:

More than any other biographies I’ve written, I felt it important to tell my mother’s life story.

On a side note, the photo of my parents, above, was taken on 15 Feb 1947 – 61 years ago tomorrow. My parents were married three months after this photo was taken.

Best Comedy: Love Song to a Fruitcake

Written for the Carnival of Advent Memories, Love Song to a Fruitcake is a sonnet in iambic pentameter, 14 lines with a rhyme scheme of AABB CCCC DDEE FF. This is the first sonnet I’ve ever written, and the first poem I’ve written since elementary school. It’s not a poem that will set the literary world on fire (the title is probably the best part of the sonnet), but I hope it brought smiles to a few faces!

Midnight Mass and Incense

Steve — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 07:10:56 +0000

Growing up Catholic, I attended mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York. The church was within walking distance of both of the houses in which my family lived since I was born.

The Christmas season was a special occasion in our church, and I especially enjoyed seeing the nativity scene in the church. The figures in the crèche seemed enormous to me, and awe-inspiring in the grandeur.

When my sisters and I were very young, we would attend services on Christmas Day, after being wrenched away from the gifts left by Santa. On Christmas day, the choir sang carols with which we were familiar, and we lustily sang along.

As we grew older, we asked to attend Midnight Mass, a request met with some skepticism by our parents who thought we’d just fall asleep during the service. Falling asleep proved not to be a problem, as often as not we ended up standing through the service, having arrived too late to secure seats in a pew.

Attending Midnight Mass provided benefits, however. The midnight service was much more elaborate than the services on Christmas day. There was a procession. There was incense. There were many more candles than we normally saw at church. And, upon returning home, my sisters and I were each allowed to open one Christmas present before we went to sleep, an opportunity not available to us before we started attending Midnight Mass.

Some years later, perhaps when I was in about fourth through eighth grades, I was an altar boy and was able to participate in the Christmas services directly. For Midnight Mass, quite a few of the altar boys assisted, some laying out the vestments for the priests, some preparing the wine, water, and hosts, some preparing the thurible and incense, some lighting the candles.

As an altar boy, my favorite job was as thurifer. I would empty the ashes from the thurible, fill the incense boat, place a round piece of charcoal in the thurible, and light the charcoal. The charcoal, itself, amazed me. It was laced with gunpowder which allowed the charcoal to light quickly without using flammible liquids. The top of the charcoal had ridges in a star shape and, when lit, the charcoal would begin to spark, first along the star ridges, then into the body of the charcoal, until the entire charcoal was glowing red.

At the appropriate point in the service, I would carry the thurible to the priest. Another alter boy would carry the boat of incense, which the priest would bless. I would raise the lid of the thurible and the priest, using an elaborately decorated spoon, would sprinkle incense on the now-glowing charcoal. I would then lower the lid onto the base and pass the smoking thurible to the priest, who would proceed to cense the altar, the nativity scene, the book of the Gospel, and the congregation.

Returning home after the service, my mother remarked that I smelled of incense. I didn’t mind. I rather liked the smell.

Written for the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories – Day 17.

For My Mother – Part 4: The Final Years

Steve — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 07:01:47 +0000

As my sisters and I grew older and more independent, my mother began to consider working outside the home. She attended classes to become a keypunch operator and was the first person in our family to work with computers. This was the 1970s and few people at that time had ever seen a computer, much less worked with them. As technology developed, my mother progressed to keytape and keydisk and excelled in her chosen profession.

Jane (Niedzialkowski) Danko at Work

SOURCE: Jane (Niedzialkowski) Danko at Work. Photographer unknown. Photographed 22 May 1972 at Albany County Social Services KeyPunch Department, Albany, New York.

On 14 March 1978, my mother’s father died. I was living in Oregon at the time, attending graduate school. I did not learn of my grandfather’s death until after his funeral.

In the Spring of 1980, in recognition of her excellent work and her ability to lead others, my mother was offered the position of supervisor of her department. At about this same time, my mother began feeling unwell. She had no particular symptoms, just a sense that something wasn’t quite right. At this time, I was still in Oregon and my younger sister had moved to Florida. Only my mother, my father, and my older sister still lived in the house at 43 South Allen Street.

On Easter Sunday, 06 April 1980, my father, mother, and older sister drove to Worcester to spend Easter with my mother’s mother, who was then 83 years old.

Barely a week later, on Tuesday 15 April 1980, my mother called in sick to work. Her general feeling of being unwell had progressed to the point of a real illness. My father called our family doctor (who still made house calls) and he prescribed antibiotics. A few hours later, purple blotches began to form on my mother’s skin as her capillaries began to burst. My father called an ambulance. As the EMTs were transporting her to the ambulance, my mother went into cardiac arrest. The EMTs were able to restart my mother’s heart and rushed her to St. Peter’s Hospital.

My sister called me in Oregon and told me to get home as soon as I could. I had no money for airfare, but the Chairman of my department at Oregon State University quickly arranged for an emergency loan from the Oregon State University Foundation, and so I made preparations to fly to Albany.

The doctors at the hospital diagnosed my mother with sepsis and attempted an experimental technique to reduce the level of toxins that had built up in her blood. Their efforts failed. My mother died at 10:50 PM on 16 April 1980. I arrived in Albany the next day.

The wake was held at Magin & Keegan Funeral home, across the street from the Church of St. Vincent de Paul where the funeral was to be held the next day. Because of the circumstances of my mother’s death and the fact that her skin was covered with purple blotches from where her capillaries had burst, the wake and funeral were closed casket affairs. When asked why the casket was closed, we simply told the mourners that my mother wanted it that way.

During the wake, a fire broke out in St. Vincent de Paul Church. We watched as the fire department arrived to save the church. Nonetheless, due to the extensive damage, the funeral could not be held there. Instead, the service was moved to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the chapel in the Vincentian Institute High School (VIHS) from which my sisters and I had all graduated. Father John Mealey, the former principal of VIHS who had known my family during the time my sisters and I attended high school, celebrated the funeral mass.

We buried my mother with her diamond engagement ring, her wedding album, and a cat toy.

On 23 November 1980, seven months after my mother died, her own mother died of a broken heart.

The Angel Raphael

Steve — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 07:01:31 +0000

In addition to the stained glass windows depicting events in the life of Christ, the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York has many other stained glass windows. Besides the eight Life of Christ windows, I have a photograph of only two other windows, one of which I showed previously: The Poor Widow.

The only other photograph I have of the windows is one of the Angel Raphael.

The Angel Raphael

SOURCE: Raphael. Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York. Created approximately 1904-1908 in Munich, Germany. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 09 Jul 2007.

There are a few pictures of the other windows on the web:

Angel with Trumpet (from the former choir loft)
St. Louise de Marillac (from the former choir loft)
Angel with Lyre (from the former choir loft)
The Baptism of Jesus
Michael the Archangel
Tributes to the First Three Pastors

The windows I’ve called the Angel with Trumpet, St. Louise de Marillac and Angel with Lyre can be seen in the photo I took of the interior of the church, facing the entrance. The Angel with Trumpet is on the left, St. Louise de Marillac is in the middle. and the Angel with Lyre in on the right. These widows were once at the back of the choir loft. In 1633, St. Louise de Marillac and St. Vincent de Paul formed the Daughters of Charity, the first community of non-cloistered nuns.

Three windows paying tribute to the first three pastors depict saints who were influential in the lives of the first three pastors of St. Vincent de Paul and also show parish buildings with which those pastors were associated:

In Honor of Father John J. Hanlon – Pastor from 1889-1902. Father Hanlon’s tribute shows Saint John Baptist Mary Vianney and (at the bottom) the original Church of St. Vincent de Paul.
In Honor of Father Michael L. Walsh – Pastor from 1902-1913. Father Walsh’s tribute shows Saint Dominic and (at the bottom) the new Church of St. Vincent de Paul formally dedicated on 01 Nov 1908.
In Honor of Father William R. Charles – Pastor from 1913-1944. Father Charles’ tribute shows Saint Pius X and (at the bottom) the Vincentian Institute High School.

All these stained glass windows were installed when the new Church of St. Vincent de Paul was built between 1904 and 1908, except the tribute windows. The tribute windows were installed in 1957 in the new addition, when the church was enlarged.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Mrs. Katzman, Children’s Librarian

The Resurrection

Steve — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 07:01:29 +0000

Eight stained glass windows in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York depict events in the life of Jesus Christ. The last portrays The Resurrection.

This scene shows Jesus rising from the tomb, the guards terrified, and the angel who would announce the resurrection to those who would visit the tomb later. Note the marks from the nails in Jesus’ hands and feet.

The Resurrection

SOURCE: The Resurrection. Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York. Created approximately 1904-1908 in Munich, Germany. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 09 Jul 2007.

{28:1} Now on the morning of the Sabbath, when it began to grow light on the first Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher.
{28:2} And behold, a great earthquake occurred. For an Angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and as he approached, he rolled back the stone and sat down on it.
{28:3} Now his appearance was like lightning, and his vestment was like snow.
{28:4} Then, out of fear of him, the guards were terrified, and they became like dead men.
{28:5} Then the Angel responded by saying to the women: “Do not be afraid. For I know that you are seeking Jesus, who was crucified.
{28:6} He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where the Lord was placed.
{28:7} And then, go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has risen. And behold, he will precede you to Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo, I have told you beforehand.”
{28:8} And they went out of the tomb quickly, with fear and in great joy, running to announce it to his disciples.
{28:9} And behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Hail.” But they drew near and took hold of his feet, and they adored him.
{28:10} Then Jesus said to them: “Do not be afraid. Go, announce it to my brothers, so that they may go to Galilee. There they shall see me.”

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor. The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. Matthew 28:1-10. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-01_Matthew.htm>. Accessed 14 Jul 2007.

This stained glass window includes the inscription: “To the Glory of God and Loving Memory of Patrick Brennan”.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Mrs. Katzman, Children’s Librarian

The Agony in the Garden

Steve — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 07:01:07 +0000

Eight stained glass windows in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York depict events in the life of Jesus Christ. The seventh portrays The Agony in the Garden.

This window shows Jesus facing an angel who holds the chalice Jesus prays will pass from him. It also shows two of the men who joined him in the Garden of Gethsemani, one of whom holds the sword with which he would later cut the ear from the servant of the high priest. In the background, Judas is seen leading those who would come to arrest Jesus.

The Agony in the Garden

SOURCE: The Agony in the Garden. Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York. Created approximately 1904-1908 in Munich, Germany. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 09 Jul 2007.

{26:36} Then Jesus went with them to a garden, which is called Gethsemani. And he said to his disciples, “Sit down here, while I go there and pray.”
{26:37} And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and saddened.
{26:38} Then he said to them: “My soul is sorrowful, even unto death. Stay here and keep vigil with me.”
{26:39} And continuing on a little further, he fell prostrate on his face, praying and saying: “My Father, if it is possible, let this chalice pass away from me. Yet truly, let it not be as I will, but as you will.”
{26:40} And he approached his disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter: “So, were you not able keep vigil with me for one hour?
{26:41} Be vigilant and pray, so that you may not enter into temptation. Indeed, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
{26:42} Again, a second time, he went and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this chalice cannot pass away, unless I drink it, let your will be done.”
{26:43} And again, he went and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
{26:44} And leaving them behind, again he went and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.
{26:45} Then he approached his disciples and said to them: “Sleep now and rest. Behold, the hour has drawn near, and the Son of man will be delivered into the hands of sinners.
{26:46} Rise up; let us go. Behold, he who will betray me draws near.”
{26:47} While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived, and with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the leaders of the priests and the elders of the people.
{26:48} And he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying: “Whomever I will kiss, it is he. Take hold of him.”
{26:49} And quickly drawing close to Jesus, he said, “Hail, Master.” And he kissed him.
{26:50} And Jesus said to him, “Friend, for what purpose have you come?” Then they approached, and they put their hands on Jesus, and they held him.
26:51} And behold, one of those who were with Jesus, extending his hand, drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
{26:52} Then Jesus said to him: “Put your sword back in its place. For all who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
{26:53} Or do you think that I cannot ask my Father, so that he would give me, even now, more than twelve legions of Angels?
{26:54} How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must be so?”

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor. The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. Matthew 26:36-54. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-01_Matthew.htm>. Accessed 14 Jul 2007.

This stained glass window includes the inscription: “To the Glory of God – Gift of Mr & Mrs John Bowers”.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Mrs. Katzman, Children’s Librarian

Jesus Blessing the Children

Steve — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 07:01:19 +0000

Eight stained glass windows in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York depict events in the life of Jesus Christ. The sixth portrays Jesus Blessing the Children.

Jesus Blessing the Children

SOURCE: Jesus Blessing the Children. Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York. Created approximately 1904-1908 in Munich, Germany. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 09 Jul 2007.

{10:13} And they brought to him the little children, so that he might touch them. But the disciples admonished those who brought them.
{10:14} But when Jesus saw this, he took offense, and he said to them: “Allow the little ones to come to me, and do not prohibit them. For of such as these is the kingdom of God.
{10:15} Amen I say to you, whoever will not accept the kingdom of God like a little child, will not enter into it.”
{10:16} And embracing them, and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them.

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor. The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. Mark 10:13-16. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-02_Mark.htm>. Accessed 14 Jul 2007.

This stained glass window includes the inscription: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Mr Mrs Joseph Wiley”.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Mrs. Katzman, Children’s Librarian

The Wedding at Cana

Steve — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 07:01:19 +0000

Eight stained glass windows in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York depict events in the life of Jesus Christ. The fifth portrays The Wedding at Cana.

This work shows Jesus, his mother, the bride and groom, the water becoming wine as a servant pours it into a jar, and the chief steward examining the water made wine.

The Wedding at Cana

SOURCE: The Wedding at Cana. Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York. Created approximately 1904-1908 in Munich, Germany. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 09 Jul 2007.

{2:1} And on the third day, a wedding was held in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
{2:2} Now Jesus was also invited to the wedding, with his disciples.
{2:3} And when the wine was failing, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
{2:4} And Jesus said to her: “What is that to me and to you, woman? My hour has not yet arrived.”
{2:5} His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
{2:6} Now in that place, there were six stone water jars, for the purification ritual of the Jews, containing two or three measures each.
{2:7} Jesus said to them, “Fill the water jars with water.” And they filled them to the very top.
{2:8} And Jesus said to them, “Now draw from it, and carry it to the chief steward of the feast.” And they took it to him.
{2:9} Then, when the chief steward had tasted the water made into wine, since he did not know where it was from, for only the servants who had drawn the water knew, the chief steward called the groom,
{2:10} and he said to him: “Every man offers the good wine first, and then, when they have become inebriated, he offers what is worse. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
{2:11} This was the beginning of the signs that Jesus accomplished in Cana of Galilee, and it manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor. The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. John 2:1-11. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-04_John.htm>. Accessed 14 Jul 2007.

This stained glass window includes the inscription: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Mr Mrs James Brennan”.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Mrs. Katzman, Children’s Librarian

Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple

Steve — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 07:01:40 +0000

Eight stained glass windows in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York depict events in the life of Jesus Christ. The fourth portrays Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple.

In the upper right you will see Mary and Joseph as they find Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem.

Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple

SOURCE: Finding the Child Jesus in the Temple. Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York. Created approximately 1904-1908 in Munich, Germany. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 09 Jul 2007.

{2:40} Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him.
{2:41} And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the time of the solemnity of Passover.
{2:42} And when he had become twelve years old, they ascended to Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast day.
{2:43} And having completed the days, when they returned, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem. And his parents did not realize this.
{2:44} But, supposing that he was in the company, they went a day’s journey, seeking him among their relatives and acquaintances.
{2:45} And not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him.
{2:46} And it happened that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and questioning them.
{2:47} But all who listened to him were astonished over his prudence and his responses.
{2:48} And upon seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: “Son, why have you acted this way toward us? Behold, your father and I were seeking you in sorrow.”
{2:49} And he said to them: “How is it that you were seeking me? For did you not know that it is necessary for me to be in these things which are of my Father?”
{2:50} And they did not understand the word that he spoke to them.
{2:51} And he descended with them and went to Nazareth. And he was subordinate to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart.
{2:52} And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and in age, and in grace, with God and men.

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor. The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. Luke 2:41-52. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-03_Luke.htm>. Accessed 12 Jul 2007.

This stained glass window includes the inscription: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Timothy Hogan”.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Mrs. Katzman, Children’s Librarian

The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

Steve — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 07:01:05 +0000

Eight stained glass windows in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany, New York depict events in the life of Jesus Christ. The third portrays the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

Notice that Joseph carries a cage with the requisite two turtle doves mentioned in Luke 2:24. Could this be the basis for the two turtle doves mentioned in the “Twelve Days of Christmas”?

The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

SOURCE: The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Stained Glass Window in the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, Albany, New York. Created approximately 1904-1908 in Munich, Germany. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko 09 Jul 2007.

{2:21} And after eight days were ended, so that the boy would be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, just as he was called by the Angel before he was conceived in the womb.
{2:22} And after the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord,
{2:23} just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,”
{2:24} and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
{2:25} And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.
{2:26} And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
{2:27} And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,
{2:28} he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
{2:29} “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.
{2:30} For my eyes have seen your salvation,
{2:31} which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:
{2:32} the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
{2:33} And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.
{2:34} And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.
{2:35} And a sword will pass through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
{2:36} And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity.
{2:37} And then she was a widow, even to her eighty-fourth year. And without departing from the temple, she was a servant to fasting and prayer, night and day.
{2:38} And entering at the same hour, she confessed to the Lord. And she spoke about him to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.
{2:39} And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their city, Nazareth.

SOURCE: Conte, Ronald L. Jr., translator and editor. The Sacred Bible. Catholic Public Domain Version. Luke 2:21-39. Online <http://www.sacredbible.org/catholic/NT-03_Luke.htm>. Accessed 11 Jul 2007.

This stained glass window includes the inscription: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of John Minahan”.

For other posts on the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, see:

For posts on the Vincentian Institute, see:

For posts on the Pine Hills Branch of the Albany Public Library, see:

Mrs. Katzman, Children’s Librarian