The window, titled “Hope in a Broken World” was donated by the Canadian Military Chaplains Association. It stands as a grateful tribute to the faithful ministry of Canadian Military Chaplains, past and present. From the eternal ruggedness of the rock, and the brokenness, which derives from war and conflict, springs a tree of life bathed in the glorious light of the Almighty’s love and compassion. Various images in this window illustrate the ministry of those chaplains called to service of God and Canada.
At the bottom of the window is Saint Martin of Tours, a patron Saint, he is off his horse and giving a beggar half of his cloth. The thorns around them symbolize pain and sorrow. Above are images of men and women who represent the Canadian Forces over the decades.
The “Rock” is rugged and symbolizes the conflict of war. From the rock springs a tree of life (Hope in a Broken World), bathed in the love and light of God’s tenderness and mercy.
Below the tree, a chaplain is ministering to a dying soldier. The illustration was inspired by the photo of Chaplain H/Captain Robert Seaborn of the Canadian Scottish Regiment, giving absolution to an unidentified soldier of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division near Caen, France, 15 July 1944. (Lieut. H. Gordon Aikman, Department of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada, PA-142245.)
There are four images representing Army, Air force, Navy (a burial at sea) and the repatriation of the Unknown Soldier (Canadian National Vimy Memorial in the background). The mourning figure is known as Canada Bereft, head bowed in sorrow, she provides a powerful representation of Canada, a young nation grieving her dead.
