District Patron Saint

In the spring of 2003, the Edmonton Catholic Schools chose Mary Mother of God as the District Patron Saint.

This was done through a consultative process that included submissions from both the staff and the Catholic community of Edmonton. We honour Mary because, through her active co-operation in God's saving plan, she both wrapped the divine in human flesh and dignified humanity in the sight of God.

A series of stained-glass windows located in the Catholic Education Services building depicts four significant aspects of Mary’s life:

The Annunciation
The Birth of Christ
Mary Mother of Tenderness
Mary at the Foot of the Cross

Themes for Stained Glass Windows
The following is background information on the themes of the stained glass windows for Catholic Education Services, main floor entrance.

Pane 1: Annunciation
Hail, Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with you .. The Annunciation commemorates the visit of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary to announce to her that she was chosen to be the Mother of God. Mary's courageous response inspires everyone to be open to God's call. "The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary - she was conceived by the Holy Spirit."

Pane 2: The Birth of Christ
Blessed are you among women, and blesses is the fruit of your womb, Jesus . The Birth of Christ commemorates the incarnation - the event of God becoming human for the life of the world. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

Pane 3: Mary Mother of God
Holy Mary, Mother of God ... Mary Mother of God illustrates Mary holding the young Jesus with great tenderness and bearing Him to the world. In this way she is truly a God bearer (the literal meaning of the word "Theotokos" which is the formal name for her), offering Christ to all who search for meaning and purpose in life.

Pane 4: Mary at the Foot of the Cross
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Mary at the Foot of the Cross represents both Mary's faithfulness to the end and her identification with and consolation towards suffering humanity. Mary sees in the death of Christ the promise of the Holy Spirit.