Winona, Minnesota

About the Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart serves as the mother church of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and has long been an important place of worship and community in Winona, Minnesota.

The cathedral’s dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is reflected in its artwork and devotional traditions, providing the inspiration for a new stained glass window created for the cathedral.

Our Work

Willet Studios created a new stained glass window for the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, generously donated by the Hauser family, the former owners of Willet Studios.

The window depicts the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, whose visions and devotion played an important role in the development of the Sacred Heart devotion within the Catholic Church.

The design incorporates traditional religious symbolism and the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love, creating a window that connects the cathedral’s dedication with the broader traditions of Christian faith.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

At the center of the window is the Sacred Heart of Jesus, representing Christ’s love, mercy, and devotion.

The Sacred Heart devotion is closely associated with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, whose sacred visions helped establish and spread the devotion. The devotion was officially recognized in 1765, and in 1856 permission was granted for the entire Church to celebrate the Office of the Sacred Heart.

The window reflects this history through its depiction of Christ and St. Margaret Mary, honoring the enduring tradition of the Sacred Heart.

Theological Virtues

The design incorporates symbols representing the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love.

Faith is represented through the cross, ivy, and candle. Hope is symbolized by the anchor, while love, or charity, is represented by the rose.

A living tree serves as an additional visual representation of these virtues, with Faith as the root, Hope as the trunk, and Charity as the fruit. Together, these elements express the interconnected nature of the theological virtues.

The window also incorporates blue and white glass, colors traditionally associated with heavenly love and truth, purity, innocence, faith, joy, and light.

A Legacy of Glassmaking in Winona

The window carries a particularly meaningful connection to Willet Studios and the Winona community. It was donated by the Hauser family, whose history is deeply connected to stained glass in the region.

Hauser Art Glass was founded in Winona in 1946 by James Hauser and became part of the history of Willet Studios through the 1977 merger of Willet and Hauser.

Today, this new window stands within the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart as both a work of sacred art and a continuation of the long tradition of stained glass craftsmanship in Winona.

Through its imagery, symbolism, and connection to the Hauser family, the window celebrates faith, craftsmanship, and the enduring legacy of stained glass in the community.

Resource

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart: cathedralwinona.org