St. Anne (July 26)

This window shows St. Anne with a young Mary. According to legend, Anne is the mother of Mary and husband of Joachim. Joachim and Anne appear in the Protevagelium of James in the second century and the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew in the 8th century. These works relate a story about a man (Joachim) not allows to offer sacrifice because he hasn't produced a child. The barren Anne and Joachim pray for a child, whom Anne (like Hannah, I Sam. 10-18) vows to dedicate to the service of God. One legend has it that when Mary is three, her parents take her to the Temple where she remains until her betrothal to Joseph at 12. Anne is the patron of cabinetmakers, Canada, grandmothers, housewives, and women in labor.

Blessed Imelda (May 13)

Imelda was born in Bologna in 1322 and was a devout child even before she was sent to be educated by nuns when she was nine. Her deepest desire was to maker her first communion, but she was thought too young. As legend has it, it was the Mass of the feast of the Ascension the year she was elevan that a most remarkable event transpired. A consecrated host flew through the air directly to Imelda -- still thought too young to receive communion. The presiding priest took this as a sign, and gave her communion. After mass, when someone went to check on Imelda, still engrossed in joyful prayer, it was discovered that she had died. She is the patron of first communicants.

St. Clare of Assisi (August 11)

A noble woman of a noble family, in 1212 Clare slipped away from her family to join Francis, who accepted her commitment to follow the gospel and promised to care for her. Clare was later joined in this life, residing in a houseattached to San Damiano outside the city gates, first by her two sisters and her mother, then by other women. She was the first woman to write a rule for a community of women (the Poor Clares) and she held to Francis' ideal of true poverty even as the friars were modifying their own sense of poverty. Her rule was lost after her death -- and later was found to have been buried with her. She is the patron of needleworkers, since she and her sisters stitched vestments and altar cloths; and of television, since one night when she was too ill to attend services she was somehow able to see clearly all that went on although she was not physically in attendance.

St. Emydius (August 9)

Very little is known about this saint, and most stories about him are considered historically worthless. Nevertheless, the legend is that he was a pagan in Trier, Germany, who converted to Christianity around 300. Some legends have him smashing pagan idols in Trier and fleeing enraged pagans to Rome; other legends have him visiting Rome, being made a bishop, and destroying a pagan temple, necessitating a quick departure. From Rome he was sent to Ascoli Piceno, where he was martyred (one assumes by angry pagans). He is the patron saint invoked against earthquakes.

St. Patrick (March 17)

Co-patron of the city of San Francisco, Patrick (born 390) was the son of a deacon and the grandson of a priest. After Patrick was snatched from England and sent to slavery in Ireland, he returned to England and was ordained a priest. He then went back to Ireland and evangelized the country from his see in Armagh. From his own hand are Confessio and the Letter to Coroticus, protesting British slave trading. The famous "Breastplate" (Lorica in Latin) praise of Christ is probably his. The legends of his driving the snakes from Ireland and using a shamrock to explain the Trinity are later embellishments to his life. He is the patron of Ireland and Nigeria and, in keeping with his legend, is invoked against snakes.

St. Agatha (February 5)

Executed 251 in Sicily as a virgin martyr, her legend is more colorful than the historical record. She reputedly rejected the advances of a Roman senator who then (a) accused her of following Christianity and (b) ordered her breasts severed. They were restored through the intercession of St. Peter. The senator was not yet finished. Agath (and her virtue) survived time in a house of shame and an attempt to burn her at the stake -- interrupted by a volcanic eruption. The resilient woman was eventually beheaded. Early artistic depictions of Agatha displayed her carrying her severed breasts on a plate. In the Middle Ages, they were mistaken for bells or for buns. Buns are still blessed on her feast day. She is the patron of Palermo, Catania, Malta, nurses, bell founders, bell ringers, jewelers, and wet nurses; her name is invoked against breast diseases, fires, and volcanic eruptions.

St. Barbara (December 4)

Popular during the Middle Ages, little is known about St. Barbara's life. She was martyred by her father's hand. Her father locked her away in a tower so that no man could see her beauty. Disguised as a doctor, a Christian was able to teach her about the faith. Legend has it that torture by civil authorities did not lead to death or renunciation so her father beheaded her himself. A thunderclap was followed by "fire from heaven" that reduced him to ashes. She is the patron saint of artillerymen, architects and builders, miners, stonemasons, prisoners, fire fighters, sailors, and those in danger of dying without the sacraments; she is invoked against fire, lightning, and explosions. She is the patron of the West Coast province of the Order of Friars Minor.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga (June 21) and St. Charles Borromeo (November 4)

Aloysius, son of a nobleman, joined the court of Phillip II of Spain in 1581, after a military career didn't work out for him. While there he decided to enter the young Society of Jesus. He made his final vows in 1587 but was never ordained. While nursing the sick in Rome , he contracted the plague and died in 1591. He is the patron saint of youth and is held up as a role model of purity, especially for young men entering holy orders.

Charles Borromeo was born in 1438 into the Medici family. His uncle was elected pope (Pius IV) and within a week, 22-year-old Charles, still a layman, was named cardinal archbishop of Milan. He eschewed a luxurious life. He contributed to the Tridentine catechism. When his older brother died in 1562 he determined to live a holier life. During the plague of 1576, he sued his own funds in tending the sick and dying. He died in 1584. He is the patron saint of catechists and seminatrians and is invoked against stomachaches and ulcers.

St. Paschal Baylon (May 17)

A semi-literate shepherd who joined the Franciscans as a lay brother. He led an ascetic life devoted to the Blessed Sacrament, and defended the doctrine of the Real Presence. He died in 1592 and, though not himself a very good shepherd (distracted from his task by prayer), is the patron saint of shepherds.

Good Shepherd, St. Monica (August 27), St. Augustine (August 28)

The "good shepherd" as a description of Jesus is found in Luke 15 and John 10, and is most likely the gospel writers' allusion to Joshua's appointment as Moses' successor (Numbers 27:15ff) and the prophetic critique of Israel's ruling and wealthy classes (Ezekiel 34).

Monica, patron saint of married women, mothers, and perseverance in prayer, is best known as the mother of St. Augustine. She served the poor in Carthage while raising her own family. She became concerned about her son's lifestyle and tearfully prayed for his conversion constantly. When Spanish conquerors found a rock spring that dripped ceaselessly (wept), they named it and the nearby town they founded for Santa Monica.

St. Augustine, Doctore of Grace, Bishop of Hippo, patron of theologians, brewers, and printers, had been led to the Manichean sect until he came under the influence of Ambrose, bishop of Milan. His more "earthly" pursuits led him to a concubine and other liasons until he adopted a more ascetic practice.

St. Peter (June 29)

Usually depicted holding "the keys to the kingdom," Peter is the disciple most frequently mentioned by namein the gospels -- and his portrayal is frequently unflattering. He is perhaps best known for his denial of Jesus and a popular legend has it that his tears wore permanent grooves in his face. While he is often depicted in the gospels as saying or doing the wrong thing, after the resurrection he seems to have become fearless and much wiser, if still impetuous. The story has him being crucified in Rome, upside down at his own request, since he did not feel worthy to die in the same way as Jesus. The former fisherman is the patron of boatwrights, clockmakers, fishers, and net makers. He is invoked against fever, foot trouble, and wolves.

St. Paul (June 29; feast of conversion is January 29)

Paul gets more air time than anyone else in the New Testament. Paul never knew Jesus during the time of his ministry, but testified that he had an encounter with the risen Jesus. This event transformed him from a persecutor of Jewish Christians into the greatest missionary in the church's history, known as the "apostle to the gentiles." The Acts of the Apostles, part 2 of Luke's gospel, relates much of Paul's activity. Acts and Paul's letters show us a man always active and never at a loss for words. The last we hear of him in the New Testament, he is in jail in Rome, awaiting trial; he seems to have been executed in Rome between 62 and 67. He is patron of Greece, Malta, rope makers, tent makers, and upholsterers.

The Father of Sinners

One of the best known gospel stories, found only in Luke (in 15:11ff), where it is the third of three successive stories on finding what had been lost. This window illustrates Luke 15:21, when the father runs to his returning son and embraces him, overjoyed at his return.

St. Mary Magdalene (July 22)

Few saints have suffered the identity crisis that surrounds this woman. She was not "the Magdalene" as in "Mary Magdalene, the harlot" but was Mary from the town of Magdala. Luke 8 mentions that seven demons had gone out of her, and at that point in the story she was travelling with Jesus and the Twelve. The process of conflation gave (erroneous) rise to legends equating her with the woman who anointed Jesus (Luke 7:36ff) and with Mary of Bethany; that conflation and her obvious importance to Jesus, particularly after his death and resurrection, has given rise to all sorts of novels and movies speculating about their relationship. Matthew, Mark, and John all list her presence at Jesus' crucifixion and at the tomb after the sabbath, and Matthew and John record the appearance of the risen Jesus to her. She is "apostle to the apostles", patron of contemplatives and, per conflation and legend, of fallen women, glovers, hairdressers, and perfumers.

St. Boniface (June 5)

Boniface is the patron saint of Germany.

St. Bonaventure (July 15)

Born 1217, entered the Franciscan order about 1243, elected minister general in 1257, and died in 1274. He is known as the "Seraphic Doctor". His theology has received renewed interest; some of his influence can be seen in 20th century theologians like Karl Rahner. He also managed to provide capable leadership for the Franciscans, who, at the time of Bonaventure's election as minister general, were becoming increasingly divided. He codified the general constitutions and composed what became Francis' official biography, Life of St. Francis. His thought is known for its holistic character, insisting on the inseparability of nature and grace, abstract and symbolic thought, and theology and spirituality.

The Immaculate Conception (December 8)

This window is behind the organ pipes in what had once been the lady chapel.

The idea of the Immaculate Conception was the subject of some debate among leading theologians of the 12th and 13th centuries, with luminaries such as Anselm, Bernard, Aquinas, and Bonaventure offering thoughtful objections. It was Blessed John Duns Scotus who resolved the theological debate. The Council of Trent (1545-63) excluded Mary from its decree on original sin. In 1846 the U.S. bishops chose Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception as the patroness of the U.S. After consultations with the world's bishops, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was promulgated by Pope Pius IX in the bull Ineffabilis Deus on December 8, 1854.