This description of the Sanctuary paintings was written by Father Borcic and transcribed by Bob Corbett in May 2003 from Father Borcic's undated original paper which is archived in the St. James Church Rectory, 6401 Wade Tamm Avenue, St. Louis, MO.
Beginning with the left panel. we see five figures in the back row. One is all but indistinguishable It is my guess that this is not a Saint at all but rather a depiction of the artist onto his own painting. On the far left we see a woman in the garb of a Sister of Charity (holding a small child). It could be St. Louise de Marillac who along with St. Vincent de Paul, founded the community of the Sisters of Charity. The next figure would be that of St. Francis Xavier. He is wearing typical Jesuit garb of the day and is frequently identified in religious art holding a crucifix. The next is St. James. He is identified by his hat which usually has a scallop shell on it and by his wallet. Next Is St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, who can be identified by the Bishop’s mitre and by the book he is carrying, indicating his position as a Doctor of the Church.
In the front row we see a young boy, identity unknown. He may or may not be related to one or another of the Saints. Since St. Louise de Marillac is noted for her work among children and especially among orphans, both the boy and the baby could be indicative of her work. He may be a young man who has not yet been canonized but is being considered for canonization. Most would agree that the next Saint is Saint Louis. Saints Edward the King and Henry the Emperor fortunately are not usually depicted without a crown. The next is St. Catherine of Sienna. She is identified by the Dominican habit and by they fact that the palms outward signifies having received the stigmata. Do not know about the young girl al her side. The last figure is that of St. Gregory the Great, Pope. The tiara is an indication that he is a Pope. The book it indicative that he is also a Doctor of the Church.
Taking a look at the right panel and beginning with the back row most would agree that the first Saint depicted Is Saint Patrick. Next to him is St. Jane Frances de Chantal; in the garb of the Visitation nuns since she is the foundress of that order. Next Is Saint Thomas Aquinas easily distinguished by his Dominican habit and by his holding the Blessed Sacrament. The next Saint is Saint Vincent de Paul with his arm around a young boy, indicative of his work with youth and/or with seminarians. Behind him, and barely visible, is St. George (although depicted without a halo).
In the front row we have St. Jerome dressed in Cardinal's attire and kneeling in front of a book indicating the Latin translation of the Bible for which he is noted. Next to him is St. Theresa of Avila. She is wearing the Carmelite habit of which she was a member and she, too, has her palms forward indicating that she received the stigmata. Next to her is a young girl who, although without a halo since her canonization was to come some years later, is believed to be St. Bernadette. Several artists’ conceptions show her dressed in much the same way as here holding a rosary. The final person, again with no halo, may be St. Philip Neri.
This description of the Sanctuary painting was written by Father Borcic.
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