THE EASTER MISTERY – in the deciptions of Modena Cathedral

collana fiGURAE

The Cathedral of Modena and

the Abbey of Nonantola

speak to us by means of their figures.

A universal language, always alive,

made even clearer and more topical

by these handy booklets.

«Do not forget… This is the message that seems to originate from the bas-relief that your ancestors placed at the centre of the Cathedral, in the most visible point of the balustrade which divides the presbytery from the nave. In it, the ancient master sculptors depicted the Last Supper, with the memorial of Christ’s sacrifice: “Do this in memory of me”. With this artistic choice, your forefathers wanted to invite their descendants to cultivate the memory, to not forget. It is significant to notice that the other artistic expressions of this Cathedral – which repropose the work of God through the events of sacred history and the work of man in his arts and crafts – seem to converge towards the central bas-relief, creating a splendid crown around it».

Thus spoke Pope John Paul II during his pastoral visit to Modena in June 1988.

When entering the Cathedral, the beholder is strongly attracted by the imposing set of figures sculpted at the limit of the presbytery by the Campionesi master builders. There are the ambo with Jesus, the Evangelists and the Doctors of the Church, the balustrade with the scenes of the Last Supper and the Passion of Christ, the arcades at the entrance of the crypt, with the betrayals of Judas and Peter, and the large Crucifix hanging from the vault. Four paintings showing the apparitions of the risen Christ, from an altar no longer in existence, complete these depictions. At Easter time, they are installed on the upper colonnade.

Thus, the Easter mystery – the central event of human history relived by the Church every year – is commemorated. This illustrated text penetrates into the mystery by means of the sequence of these fascinating, extremely eloquent depictions.

The following books are part of the same series:

THE SPEAKING CATHEDRAL

GEMINIANO IN HIS OWN HOME
THE DIVINE BESTIARY

THE PROPHETS

ANSELM DUKE, ABBOT, SAINT