Part 8 in our Series on the wonderful Kempe stained glass windows in All Saints:

 The West Wall – North West Corner dedicated to The Holy Eucharist

This beautiful window is particularly rich in interest and symbolism. The figures are of men, who by their lives, acts or words have taught us about Christ as the Spiritual Feeder of his people.

 On the left is Moses carrying the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. From his head spring two horn-like rays of glory instead of the circular halo of New Testament saints. A scroll bears the words “The bread of angels mend did eat” from Psalm 78, referring to the manna in the wilderness. The small picture below shows a Jewish family solemnly celebrating the Passover feast (Exodus 12 and 13).

In the centre is the majestic figure of Melchisedech, the great priest-king of Jerusalem. He wears a bishop’s mitre springing from a coronet and, underneath his cloak, a dalmatic. In his right hand he carries a sceptre and an olive branch on which is written “King of Salem, King of Peace”. In his left hand he carries a paten (plate) with a small loaf and a chalice of wine, a reference to the bread and wine offered to Abraham after his victory over the four kings (Genesis 14), shown in the picture below. The scroll reads, “Christ the Lord, a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech, offered bread and wine,” an antiphon to the Magnificat at Vespers of the Blessed Sacrament.

On the right is St. Thomas Aquinas, known as the Angelic Doctor. He was great teacher and lived from 1227 to 1274. He is famous for his writings, and especially for his hymns on the Blessed Sacrament. He is dressed in the black and white habit of a Dominican. The scroll bears the words “Lauda Sion” --- “Praise O Sion” (English Hymnal). The small picture shows him writing in his cell “O Salutaris Hostia”..(O Saving Victim). The six small lights have angels with scrolls inscribed “Tantum Ergo Sacramentum” – (Therefore we before him bending). Both are hymns sung at services to commemorate the Blessed Sacrament and at the Eucharist.

Brian Willett