Our new St. Joseph's guest house kitchen has been completed by the installation of a beautiful stained glass panel. Set in a South facing window, the glass depicts the Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt. The colours are warm and rich, and shine gloriously when the sun strikes them. Unfortunately the origins of this window are undocumented. The window was given to the community many years ago. Perhaps it was designed as part of a multi-panel ensemble?

It anyway now has a fine setting, completed by our skilled craftsman neighbour in the valley, Matt Hamel. He has set translucent resin figures within his wooden surround. Above the window panel we see 3 "fleur de lys". These are traditionally taken as signs of Our Lady, and of purity, and of France. They can also represent Val des Choux in Burgundy, from where the original monks of Pluscarden came, in 1230. Below the glass panel is a text in translucent resin: "Speculum patientiae, ora pro nobis". This is an invocation from the Litany of St. Joseph. It means: "Mirror of patience, pray for us".