Who is this Saint?

[Morwenna]

I saw a stained-glass window today of a Saint dressed in a medium/dark blue cassock, with a white “bib” shaped area under the chin (not the traditional priestly collar; the white area was much larger than that).

This Saint appeared to be teaching children near a gothic-style cathedral. The children were dressed in knee-length pants and stockings, with lacy “french cuffs” on their sleeves.

I believe the Saint’s first name was probably John, since the window was dedicated in memory of a deceased parishioner named John. I looked up St John Vianney, St John Neumann, and Venerable John Henry Newman, and none match the appearance of this particular depiction.

Any ideas?

 

[LilyM]

I saw a stained-glass window today of a Saint dressed in a medium/dark blue cassock, with a white “bib” shaped area under the chin (not the traditional priestly collar; the white area was much larger than that).

This Saint appeared to be teaching children near a gothic-style cathedral. The children were dressed in knee-length pants and stockings, with lacy “french cuffs” on their sleeves.

I believe the Saint’s first name was probably John, since the window was dedicated in memory of a deceased parishioner named John. I looked up St John Vianney, St John Neumann, and Venerable John Henry Newman, and none match the appearance of this particular depiction.

Any ideas?

John Bosco? What did his face look like?

 

[Morwenna]

John Bosco? What did his face look like?

Hm, I don’t think so. I looked him up just now, and his attire looks nothing like that shown in the window.

To answer your question about his face: he looked middle-aged, very serene face, and his hair was gray. Not super long, but a bit longer than commonly worn by priests today, a bit below the ears, I think … sort of a turned-under style. The hairstyle and the children’s clothing seem 1700’s era, I’d guess.

 

[Lukelion]

Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle?
Patron saint of teachers

 

[LilyM]

Hm, I don’t think so. I looked him up just now, and his attire looks nothing like that shown in the window.

To answer your question about his face: he looked middle-aged, very serene face, and his hair was gray. Not super long, but a bit longer than commonly worn by priests today, a bit below the ears, I think … sort of a turned-under style. The hairstyle and the children’s clothing seem 1700’s era, I’d guess.

First thought is St John Eudes:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

The second is ask the priest.

 

[Morwenna]

First thought is St John Eudes:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Possibly. I’ll have to read more on him to see if there’s a connection with teaching children.

The second is ask the priest.

Well, I thought of that, but the poor man is usually surrounded by a sea of folks after Mass, and most of them probably have more pressing needs than my mere curiosity.

If I can catch him without inconveniencing him too much, I’ll ask. Otherwise, the search continues

Thanks for your time in helping me, Lily!

 

[Andruschak]

I saw a stained-glass window today of a Saint dressed in a medium/dark blue cassock, with a white “bib” shaped area under the chin (not the traditional priestly collar; the white area was much larger than that).

This Saint appeared to be teaching children near a gothic-style cathedral. The children were dressed in knee-length pants and stockings, with lacy “french cuffs” on their sleeves.

I believe the Saint’s first name was probably John, since the window was dedicated in memory of a deceased parishioner named John. I looked up St John Vianney, St John Neumann, and Venerable John Henry Newman, and none match the appearance of this particular depiction.

Any ideas?

The “bib” might be a Deacon’s stole?

 

[Lukelion]

Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle

 

[Morwenna]

The “bib” might be a Deacon’s stole?

I don’t think so, although I may very well be wrong about that.

It looks a bit like this picture:

acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2006/08/st-john-eudes.html

… but not quite so wide as that. About half the size, and centered directly under the chin. Definitely not a standard priestly collar, though.

 

[LilyM]

Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle

Sounds like we’ve hit the jackpot - he definitely was involved in education of young people. And lived in the right era to - 1650s-1710s

 

[Morwenna]

Saint Jean-Baptiste de La Salle

After reading about him, I do think that’s him

The time period fits with the fashions/hairstyles shown, and the founding of the Christian Brothers certainly fits

Thank you, Lukelion, and thank you to all who took the time to help me unravel this mini-mystery.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Definitely not a standard priestly collar, though.

It is quite the standard priestly collar as worn in France and other places on the Continent in the 18th and 19th centuries.

 

[Morwenna]

Definitely not a standard priestly collar, though.

It is quite the standard priestly collar as worn in France and other places on the Continent in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Thanks, bpbasilphx

I was just trying to emphasize that it wasn’t the standard collar which we generally see today … I thought a more detailed description would mean a better chance of finding out the name of the “mystery saint”

Well, I’m off to work shortly … planning to read more about St Jean-Baptiste de la Salle when I get home this evening

 

[Andruschak]

Definitely not a standard priestly collar, though.

It is quite the standard priestly collar as worn in France and other places on the Continent in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Thank you. I’ve learned something new today