Uploaded by romereports on Nov 18, 2009
My dear brothers and sisters,
I have been speaking in recent weeks about medieval theology, and would now like to turn my attention to how the Christian faith of the Middle Ages inspired some of the greatest works of art of all time: the cathedrals of Europe. Romanesque cathedrals are distinctive for their size and for introducing to churches beautiful sculpture, including the image of Christ as the Universal Judge and the Gate of Heaven. By entering through Him, as it were, the faithful enter a space and even a time different from everyday life, somewhere they can anticipate eternal life through their participation in the liturgy. Gradually, Gothic architecture replaced the Romanesque, adding height and luminosity to the previous style. The Gothic cathedral translates the aspirations of the soul into architectural lines, and is a synthesis between faith, art and beauty which still raises our hearts and minds to God today. When faith encounters art, in particular in the liturgy, a profound synthesis is created, making visible the Invisible, and the two great architectural styles of the Middle Ages demonstrate how beauty is a powerful means to draw us closer to the Mystery of God. May the Lord help us to rediscover that "way of beauty", surely one of the best ways to know and to love Almighty God.
I am pleased to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims present at todays audience, especially the board members of the World of Catholic Womens Organizations. Upon you all I cordially invoke Gods abundant blessings!
-
5 likes, 0 dislikes
2:09Pope: Without faith, ecumenism is like a social...by romereports483 views
1:59Asia News asks Chinese government for release o...by romereports232 views
2:06Cardinal Kasper discusses the "lights and shado...by romereports143 views
1:17Christian Comics take part in one of Europe's B...by romereports150 views
10:38The Mausoleum of the Cathedral of Our Lady of t...by olacathedral526 views
4:31Gothic Cathedrals of Europeby DV0077370 views
15:58The Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, Norwayby SupremeMasterTV10131 views
1:11Pope Benedict XVI DC Papal Mass Homily Englishby ErgoCognito222,078 views
1:37Chartres | Medieval Cathedral - outsideby jameswritchie1,111 views
8:38My tour of Europe Vol 10 - It took 600 years to...by edenalexanderjeyaker208 views
0:31European Cathedralby dawna512359 views
4:12Beautiful Cathedrals of Europe - With Vespersby catholicpeter4,427 views
4:07Strasbourg Cathedral, France - TravelMoviesby travelmovies342 views
6:33Making A Stained Glass Wood Rose Window Frameby bestpushstick178,900 views
5:21Priére á Notre Dameby alexoldroyd1,374 views
1:53European Cathedrals part 1by ArmandoBarbarek195 views
23:45Europe and its Cathedrals and Churchesby seesint11,518 views
2:29The video the Pope included in his iPadby romereports244,387 views
2:08Winchester Cathedral - Englandby THEWORLDOFTRAVEL2,823 views
3:54Mary Magdalene and the Cathederals of Europe.by GRIDKEEPER16,358 views
- Loading more suggestions...
Link to this comment:
All Comments (0)