Support the Care of Mater!

Each and every Sacred Heart school has something in common. Every school in the Sacred Heart Network has a representation of Mater somewhere in their building, and Stuart is no different. 

Except, we are. 

Stuart is the only school in which Mater is depicted on glass, allowing for us to watch the changing of the seasons and beauty of nature through her glass. Mater continues Labatut's goal of bringing the outside in, and making Stuart a serene and beautiful place to learn and grow. 

Keeping this window beautiful is part of what our Stuart Fund supports, and we would love your help in funding the upkeep of this special part of our school history. Our goal is to raise $10,000 as part of this year's #TartanTuesday, and you can help us get there!

Our Mater

Mary's eyes are lowered, symbolizing that what is essential is invisible. The open book on her sewing basket suggests that she has stopped her work to pray. She is praying and reminds us to be peaceful in the difficulties of life because God gives us hard things just as he gave difficult things to his Mother. The lily and crown of twelve stars are symbols related Mary. The original painting gave a pink impression and so Sacred Heart Schools use the color pink to celebrate this feast.

The image at Stuart was designed by Stuart's architect, Jean Labatut and painted by Father Francis Prokes, a graduate student from the School of Architecture at Princeton. This rendition of Mater Admirabilis is unique in Sacred Heart Schools because Jean Labatut wanted everything at Stuart to be unique, original. Because Mary's dress is not filled in, the forest background makes the dress appear to change with the seasons. Mary's face was not painted because Labatut wanted each person to create her or his own image of Mater. Labatut added another layer of meaning to the painting. The glass wall on which it is painted points to the center of Princeton, and is oriented toward three distinct vistas: Holder Tower at the Graduate College of Princeton University, the steeple of Trinity Church, and the Princeton University Chapel. Labatut wanted to emphasize the common ground that is shared by those of the Christian faith. Mater leads us to many lessons and interpretations: our commitment to diversity, our openness to others and our welcoming attitude; all part of our Sacred Heart Spirituality and our experience here at Stuart.