Heaven in Stone and Glass: Experiencing the Spirituality of the Great Cathedrals Paperback – April 1, 2002

As this reviewer told some friends, he is on a Father Barron Binge. The undersigned does not claim to be the Great Know-It-All, but he recognizes knowledge, clarity of expression, and careful reflection. Father Barron's books appeal to the learned and those not so learned. Only those who are intellectually numb and spiritually dead will not appreciate Father Barron's work.The book titled HEAVEN IN STONE AND GLASS began with a contrast between a dull, boring, and violent world and Medieval world in which men and women were more intensely religious. Contemporary men and women are immune to the physical world. Yet, Medieval people were impressed with religious icons, plants, animals etc. as part of God's Creation. The Medieval Cathedrals were places that told stories and were places of refuge for protection from violence, plague, and other human tragedies. The Cathedrals were places of renewal as well as refuge. Once parishoners left Mass, they were renewed to restore what was wrong. Father Barron alluded to The Virgin as The Mother who offered protection and solace, and the Cathedrals were often dedicated to the Virgin.As readers may know, the icons and stained glass windows told stories of biblical events, parables, lives of the saints, etc. Most parishoners were not literate at least in the Latin language, and readers should note vernacular literature was becoming "in vogue" which meant men and women were not completely illiterate. As an aside some of the Medieval vernacualar literature had serious religious overtones.As readers should know, Medieval cathedrals showed vivid colors. Father Barron mentioned that upon entering some of the Medieval cathedrals, parishoners were in darkness which was a contrast from the outside light. This was by design, and Father Barron stated that Catholics were aware of their dark mundane and perhaps evil lives which were dark. Yet, as parishoners and tourists continued their journey, they were gradually introduced to light via the stained glass windows, open areas, etc. The Medieval cathedrals were reminders of a much more glorious "otherness" than the here-and-now. Father Barron made mention of the hard work involved in building these magnificent cathedrals. Lords, ladies, "common" people, etc. worked together in silence and comaraderie knowing they were involved some sort of sacred work.As noted above, the stained glass windows were part of the religious experience. Father Barron made special mention of the Rose Windows which were arranged in a circle depicting "the ebb-and-flow" of life. The Rose Windows showed tragedy and joy with Christ at the center to remind viewers of Ultimate Joy. Father Barron gave a good explanation of the mathematical proportion of the Rose Windows or what Medieval historians called The Sacred Geometry.Father Barron not only described the inside of the Medieval cathedrals, but he carefully decribed what could be called the Cruciformity of the Cathedrals which can only be described from above. The design was arranged as though parisoners and tourists were "walking through the Cross." The lesson is that love of others and Divine Love should be the structure and foundation of our mortal lives.Father Barron's chapter title "Cosmic Consciousness" started by a comment that Cathedrals were not designed to make men and women "feel at home." Shopping malls, markets, etc. are supposed to fill this function, but Medieval cathedrals were designed to make attendees think they were entering another world-"or a better world" Men and women were supposed to escape superficial egomania and reflect on a better world. Those who could not do so were trapped by their burdens of false pride, greed, lust, etc. The Medieval cathedrals raised eyes upwards and then beyond the here-and-now. Too many modern men and women have no sense of awareness of stars, sun, etc. They have no awareness of what is beyond the immediate.One of the lessons taught in the Medieval cathedrals was The Last Judgement. Father Barron desribed the windows and icons which taught this lesson and reflected on Christ's admonition in Matthew 25. The west side of Medieval cathedrals showed designs out of proportion because of sin and evil. The east side which faced a rising sun showed light and an ordered Cosmos.As noted above, the icons in cathedrals showed heroes from the Christan Bible (Old and New Testaments) which obviously included the Hebrew Bible or what Jewish people called the TANAK. While some Catholics were anti-Jewish, many of the Hebrew Prophets are honored and dignified by the windows, art, and icons. The pictures of these icons were an indication of the connection between the Old Testament and New Testament which was the intent of the architects and planners of these cathedrals.Father Barron not only wrote about the height and upwards emphasis of Medieval cathedrals, but he had a short but succinct explanation of the crypts. Underground areas were often the "stuff" of legends and folklore. All kinds of evil beings inhabited these areas, but the crypt had another meaning. Father Barron wrote that crypts could be The Virgin's womb and, later, Christ's burial place. In other words, darkness has its place in religious thinking.Neither the Medieval Churchmen nor Father Barron claimed that the cathedrals were replicas of paradise. They were uplifting in that often attention was drawn up to the sky (both inside and outside of the Medieval Cathedrals). In other words, God was "something greater."While the cathedrals were serious reminders of the Faith, they also has their "comic relief." Father Barron wrote that the Gargoyles were a reminder that "the-high-and-mighty" could be mocked and teased because they thought they were important, but they were not above humor and parady. Father Barron showed the Medieval sense of humor which should be a part of life.The cathedrals were a road to Ultimate Truth. Father Barron's depiction of the Maze in Chartre Cathedral is interesting. Pilgrams would follow the small maze in circular paths which took time. Father Barron's message was that the quickest road was not always the best road to find Christ. This reviewer was impressed that Father Barron could write so profoundly about such a small area in Chartre Cathedral.The section titled Sacred Geometry was facinating. The Medieval Scholastics studied mathematics and geometry to instill the concepts of harmony, balance, reason, etc. The precision of the designs and plans of the Medieval cathedrals was impressively described by Father Barron.Catholicism is a religion that must deal with vices and virtues. These are explained by Medieval artwork. Father Barron explained that the great Scholastic St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) thought his work as useless UNLESS it encouraged a way of life in line with the Gospel. The vices and virtues are simply rules of life. Father Barron had an excellent explanation of Prudence which is NOT safety and NOT a cowardly attitude of not being involved. Prudence is the virtue that helps men and women decide what is good vs evil, and moral decisions may require careful thought rather cowardly retreat.The Medieval cathedrals were places where the Holy Mass was celebrated. The arrangement of the Medieval cathedrals was condusive to spiritual reflection and focus on the Liturgy and Eucharist. Father Barron briefly but effectively explained the Liturgy which should enhanced a better understanding for those not aware of the Holy Mass or Catholics who take the Holy Mass for granted.The Medieval cathedrals were uplifting and areas of learning. A nun was asked what her response would be to those who claim that Catholic churches are too ornate and not somber. She replied that she could not say via TV what she thought. However, biblical literature is full of color, imagery, etc. For example, The Book of Revelation has very colorful depictions. The icons, art, architecture, etc. are to make men and women more fully aware of the Faith.The undersigned has a few criticisms of the book titled HEAVEN IN STONE AND GLASS. Father Barron should have included an index and a bibliography. He could have made effective use of Henry Adams' book titled MONT SAINT MICHEL AND CHARTRES which is great book re Medieval architecture, literature, and Scholastic Theology. Adams had an excellent chapter in this book re St. Thomas Aquinas, and Father Barron knows so much about Scholastic thought. In spite of these criticisms, Father Barron wrote an excellent book which will only incite this reader to read more of his work.James E. EgolfDecmeber 11,2011

I'm a huge fan of Bishop Barron. This work relies on that of Emile Mâle and Otto von Simson (neither of whom are credited), nourished by Barron's intimate knowledge of Roman Catholic theology, and written with habitual brio. It's brillant because he manages to speak to the thing most often missed by writers on medieval church architecture: that whether big or small, each is intended to be an image of Heaven, a way for faithful (and not) to experience what lies ahead if one enters through the gate of Jesus Christ.

This inspiring and informational book explores the relationship of how the Gothic Cathedrals with their lofty arched vaulting of stone and beautiful translucent rose windows portraying pages from Scripture formed a catechism of the Faith for the illiterate medieval mind. Even the use of allegorical figures contributed to this fascinating study! All of the senses are saturated in this spiritual environment whose cohesive, Christian Guilds were the master craftsmen of their own time, providing not only the best architects, artisans and builders but also a massive employment project that rivalled even the pyramids as wonders of another spiritual imperative of a truly great age. Awesome!

This is a great little book. Of course anything by Fr. Robt. Barron is worth reading. Only thing is have a dictionary near because I had to look up a couple dozen words which I didn't know. Gives you a great insight into the Chartres and Notre Dame magnificent cathedrals. Some pictures, too. They really are splendid. Wish I could visit them in person. I had one copy and gave it away so had to buy another; I read it again and already lent it to a friend.

OK book. Not as good as I had heard. However the book was in EXCELLENT condition and VERY QUICK DELIVERY

This book is beautifully written. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was there, and the feeling lingered after I put the book down.

Heaven in Stone and Glass is another excellent book by Fr. Barron. Once again he has been able to find a refreshing way to marry traditional religious practices/beliefs with the post-modern need for spirituality to take us beyond simple traditional practice. He provides us with an understandable vision of the function and focus of the architects who created these beautiful and elaborate edifices which glorify God. I recommend this book both for individuals and for small group studies.

Gift for my brother; he loved it.

A short (128 pages in the print edition), but very interesting, book on the symbolism contained in Gothic Cathedrals.The book was written in 2000 by Robert Barron, now the Bishop of Los Angeles and leader of the WordOnFire Catholic ministry website. Bishop Barron has written many books since this one and all are worth reading.

I was a little disappointed because I thought the book would have coloured pictures of famous windows.