Beneath a Cloud of Witnesses

The community of Saint Clement worships among a cloud of witnesses – surrounded by more than one hundred saints whose portraits, mosaics, and statues grace the church.

The saints are usually depicted against a gold background, evoking their place in heavenly glory. Often the image includes an identifiable attribute, an object that represents a particular aspect or unique quality of the person.

Women Saints in Mosaics

Images of eight women saints appear in mosaics with a golden backround on the piers that uphold the dome.

Saints in Soffits

Portraits of thirty-eight saints, named in Latin, are painted on the undersides or soffits of the arches. These saints are grouped according to the categories the church uses for saints. The Latin name of the category is found in the center medallion followed by the refrain ora pro nobis, pray for us, as in the Litany of the Saints.

Doctors of the Church

Doctors of the church are women and men distinguished by their wisdom, sanctity, and theological learning, captured in their writings. The doctors are depicted in the soffit of the main arch, above the steps to the baptistry. The center medallion contains the prayer Omnes sancti doctores, orate pro nobis: All you holy doctors, pray for us.

Martyrs

A martyr is a witness to Christ who has died for the faith. The martyrs are depicted in the soffit of the east arch. The monogram in the center medallion combined with a Greek cross stands for Christ the Conqueror. The Greek letters IC XC stand for Jesus Christ and NIKA is the Greek word for victory. Encircling the medallion is the prayer Omnes sancti martyres, orate pro nobis: All you holy martyrs, pray for us.

Confessors

Confessors did not die for the faith, but in a time of persecution suffered torture, imprisonment, or exile. In time the title was extended to monks, bishops, and teachers who witnessed to the faith through lives of perseverance. In the west arch, we find confessors. In the center medallion is the monogram IHS, the first three letters of the name of Jesus in Greek, encircled by the prayer, Omnes sancti confessores, ora pro nobis : All you holy confessors, pray for us. Above is a small cross and below are three nails.

Virgins

The title virgin is given to women saints whose lives of dedication were considered a kind of martyrdom. In the south soffit we find the saints categorized as virgins. Women saints who are categorized as doctors of the church, married women, or rulers are depicted elsewhere in the church. The monogram for Jesus Christ, Chi Rho with Alpha and Omega, is found in the center medallion, encircled by the prayer, Omnes sanctae virgines, ora pro nobis: All you holy virgins, pray for us.

Agnes

Martyred by the sword in Rome. She holds a lamb (in Latin, agnus).

Clare

Saved her community from a rampaging army by holding up the blessed sacrament. Founder of the Poor Clares.

Teresa of Jesus (of Avila)

Reformer, doctor of the church. She holds a pen and a book with a dove in the background which represents the Holy Spirit, inspiring her writing.

Rose of Lima

Dominican tertiary, first saint of the Americas. She holds the Christ Child.

Catherine of Siena

Religious, doctor of the church. A visionary, she holds lilies and the cross.

Barbara

Third-century virgin and martyr. She is the patron of architects.

Mary Magdalene

Apostle to the Apostles. She holds the crown of thorns and vessel of oil.

Elizabeth of Hungary

A princess, married, mother and widow, She holds a sheaf of roses.

 

Gregory of Nazianzus

Fourth-century patriarch of Constantinople

John Chrysostom

Patriarch of Constantinople, doctor of the Eastern church

Cyprian of Carthage

Third-century bishop, martyr, and theologian

Hilary of Poitiers

Bishop and "Doctor of the Divinity of Christ”

Basil the Great

Fourth-century bishop of Caesarea

Francis de Sales

Bishop and author of Introduction to the Devout Life

John Damascene

Priest and monk who defended sacred art

Isidore

Archbishop of Seville and author of an encyclopedia entitled Origins

Athanasius

Bishop of Alexandria and Greek father of the church

Damasus I

Fourth-century bishop of Rome

 

Fortunatus

Deacon, martyred at Smyrna

Stephen

Deacon, first martyr of the church

Ignatius of Antioch

First-century bishop and author

Blase of Sebaste

Fourth-century bishop and physician

Damian

Third-century physician, twin of Cosmas

Christopher

Third-century giant whose name means “Christ-bearer”

Fabian

Third-century pope who organized Rome under seven deacons

Cosmas

Third-century physician, twin of Damian

Lawrence

Third-century archdeacon of Pope Sixtus II

George of Lydda

Fourth-century soldier executed in Palestine

 

Nicholas

Bishop of Myra and wonderworker

Aloysius Gonzaga

Jesuit novice, patron of people with AIDS.

Louis IX of France

King and Third Order Franciscan

Anthony of Padua

Franciscan priest and doctor of the church

Charles Borromeo

Cardinal archbishop and reformer after the Council of Trent

Vincent de Paul

Priest and founder of the Vincentian Congregation and Daughters of Charity

Henry II

Holy Roman Emperor and husband

Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney

Curate of Ars and patron of parish priests

Edward the Confessor

Peace-loving king of England and husband

Martin of Tours

Bishop, evangelizer of Gaul, founder of western monasticism

 

Thérèse of the Child Jesus

Doctor of the church, known as the Little Flower

Joan of Arc

Martyr, patron of France

Catherine of Alexandria

Martyr, doctor of the church

Cecilia

Martyr, patron of musicians

Philomena

Early Christian martyr

Agatha

Early Christian martyr

Gertrude of Helfta

Religious and mystic

Anastasia

Matron and martyr