The Chartres Labyrinth and Mary (28) Miracles of Mary Window

For centuries pilgrims have come to the Chartres Cathedral seeking hope. This image, depicting prayers of gratitude (the boy who no longer needs his crutch), devotion (the men pulling a cart laden with supplies for rebuilding the cathedral after a fire), and desire (the men on the left) reminds me that when we set out to seek God, God is also waiting for us to come.

My prayer

Hope, I journey to You–in my heart and mind, and with my body. Thank You for being “there.” Actually, thank You for being here!

Biblical touchstone

• “Come,” my heart says, “seek God’s face!” Your face, God, do I seek. Psalm 27:8
• May all who seek you [God] rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is God!” Psalms 40:16

Invitation to prayer

 

Are you thankful for a prayer answered? Overwhelmed with a long to serve God? In need of help? What if you thought that God had been with you each step of your journey to this moment? Try that on. What prayers are emerging in your heart, mind, body, and imagination? Pray them now.

Photo and placement of this image in relationship to the labyrinth

Pilgrims praying near a statue showing Mary holding her son. Jesus is making a gesture of blessing. This is near the bottom of the stained glass window dedicated to the Miracles of Mary. Four depictions of Mary are found in this window, including the two central images in the top of this circle. This image is from 1205-1215. More information about this window is available on the Pittsburgh University site.

 

This image is to the south and east of the labyrinth. The scene is found in the window that is to the left of the wooden pulpit on the right side of this image.

 

Related Posts: Other Images of Mary Visible from the Labyrinth in the Chartres Cathedral

To the east of the labyrinth:
The apsidal image of Mary as a throne for Jesus who is sitting on her lap blessing on the top of the East central window (above the choir).
The Annunciation of Jesus’ birth to Mary in the East central window (above the choir).
The Visitation of Mary and her cousin Elizabeth in the East central window (above the choir).

To the west of the labyrinth:
Mary in the Tree of Jesse (Ancestors of Jesus). Twelfth century window (1140-1150) on the north side of the west wall.

The Annunciation in The Life of Christ Window. Twelfth century window (1145-1155), the central window on the west wall.
The Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth in the Life of Christ Window.
The Nativity: Mary, Jesus and Joseph in the Life of Christ Window.
The Kings Visit Jesus and Mary in the life of Christ Window.
The Flight Into Egypt: Mary, Jesus and Joseph in the Life of Christ Window
The Return from Egypt: The Holy Family in the Life of Christ Window
Jesus blessing while sitting on Mary’s Lap in the Life of Christ Window

Mary standing below the cross of Jesus in the Passion and Resurrection Window (1145-1155), on the south side of the west wall.
Mary holding Jesus’ hands as his body is taken off the cross in the Passion and Resurrection Window.
Mary watching the anointing and entombment of Jesus in the Passion and Resurrection Window.

To the south of the labyrinth:

Nursing Mary and Jesus in a clerestory window (1205-1215) above the labyrinth.
Mary holding Jesus, a sculpture on the fifteenth century organ above the south nave.
The symbolic “shirt of Mary” on the Bishop’s pulpit (south side of the nave) above the labyrinth.
The flight from Israel to Egypt in the St. John window in the south aisle.

Mary’s death as witnessed by the mourning disciples. The death and glorification of Mary window (1205-1215) in the south aisle.
Mary’s soul being received by Jesus. The death and glorification of Mary window.
Mary’s casket being carried by the disciples to its resting place. The death and glorification of Mary window.
The entombment of Mary’s body by the disciples. The death and glorification of Mary window.
The assumption of Mary into Heaven. The death and glorification of Mary Window.
The crowning of Mary. The death and glorification of Mary window.

Mary’s coronation. The Vendôme Chapel window (1415) in the south aisle.
Mary with other mourners near the cross of Jesus. The Vendôme Chapel window.
Mary honoring Christ at the end of time. The Vendôme Chapel window.