At the beginning of the year, and the last months of 2024, my focus has been on the beauty to be found in our world. Knowing I won't travel to far-away places anymore, I'm blessed with technology, which flies me from one side of the world to the other in search of enchanting beauty.
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| Cathedral of Brasilia |
Today's visit takes us to the Cathedral of Brasilia (Brazil). Its magnificent stained glass ceiling was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and created by artist Marianne Peretti in 1990. The waves of brown represent the earth, the green represent vegetation and the blue represents water. Visitors enter the cathedral through a tunnel. The cathedral holds 4,000 people.
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| | Sculptures of three angels are suspended by steel cables |
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| Statues of the Four Evangelists outside the Cathedral of Brasilia |
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| Bell Tower |
Stained glass, especially in places of worship, kindles within us an appreciation for sunlight, jewel-like color and spiritual reverence. For thousands of years, stained glass windows have been fundamental to sacred architecture. They remind us of the beauty of creation, the accomplishments of man, and they inspire us to hold onto hope in this tumultuous world. There is extensive research linking our surroundings to our well-being.
In the Middle Ages, when a great deal of the population was unable to read or write, stained glass windows became a form of 'visual Scripture.' They depicted scenes from the Bible, the saints and moral lessons, allowing believers to learn the faith without written texts. Stained glass windows have been called the poor man's Bible.
"People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed
only if there is light from within."
~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
