Church Stained Glass Windows

Windows of light, seeing GOD in sacred Glass, a contemplative journey through encountered church stained glass windows on my pilgrimage road 
Contemplative prayer journeys where art becomes prayer slowly revealing the word

To me walking into an ancient church, quietly opening the big oak front door , then walking a few steps and being greeted by bright illuminated windows is one of the highlights of my personal pilgrimage journey. Sometimes I can't tear myself away, sometimes I am left untouched , and sometimes they leave a lasting impression I return to again and gain. Spending time with GOD through engaging with Holy Art is a way of life for me. I seek the encounter wherever I can and rarely pass by a church without at least a short peek.

In my contemplative prayer practice, sitting with church stained glass windows for Visio divina, sketching symbols encountered and bible journaling for specific scripture passages are all part of my practice. Often I am all alone in an ancient church , berthing in the walls and taking time to unpack my bible journaling supplies from my backpack to capture my first impressions there and then.

Now For a brief little introduction to Visio Divina 

What is Visio Divina ?

- Visio divina in latin means  " Divine Seeing"

- You may be more familiar with the contemplative practice of Lectio Divina, where we chose a bible scripture passage . Just like Lectio Divina invited me to listen deeply to what scripture reveals in the moment, Visio Divina lets a holy image, in my case church stained glass windows I encountered during my pilgrimages, become a doorway into prayer. 

Some stained glass church windows are particularly well placed for illuminating their story during sunrise or sunset, letting the colourful and purposefully arranged biblical symbols tell their story. In one of my favourite church stained glass window at around 3 -4 pm during sunset the light travels across a set of 4 windows each in turn lighting up HOLY light as rays, stars and halos. I will try and capture it next time I visit so I can share it with you.

 For a how to bible study with  Visio Divina read about my way 

Contemplative Prayer
- with Church Stained Glass Windows

Visio Divina - Contemplative prayer with sacred stained glass can be done in situ or on returning home from the pilgrimage road. 

There are many ways to approach it, chose a bible story character and find a relevant stained glass church window, visit a patron saints church and engage with their story. Many medieval churches also feature sets of both Old Testament and New Testament bible stories for study and teaching. 

It will be a labour of love organising this church stained glass windows that speak to most to me here , perhaps sorting them into the categories below might be useful.

Contemplating each window as a meeting place where story, symbol , scripture and colour meet to invite me into quiet reflection 

- By Scripture / Verse / Book

- By Bible Character / Apostle

- By Saint / Patron Saint

- By Symbol 

Here are some examples of the kind of victorian stained glass colours that can be captured. In  medieval stained glass the details are rougher and often fade easier, many having been destroyed during the restoration. I am hoping to include examples of different kinds of interpretations of artists ideas on how to best depict a particular scripture scene. Often it depended on the artist's patron's persuasion on how designs developed.

Church Stained Glass Windows Archive - USES

Use my Church Stained Glass Window Archive to

- Pray with Stained Glass 

follow my Visio Divina guide for contemplative prayer with church stained glass windows 

- Bible Journal with 

Use the stained glass church window photographs I have taken on my pilgrimages to add to your own personal womens bible studies 

- Bible Study with 

The history of stained glass is fascinating to study, the addition of biblical scenes to educate an illiterate congregation was common practice in the early medieval days. Canterbury Cathedral has some great examples although high up and at times difficult to see. On my next Canterbury pilgrimage I shall bring a camera with a Zoom lens to see if I can capture it. Recently I got to see a Jesse tree window showing Jesus Christs genealogy, one of the few in the Uk that is dated on the stained glass itself ready 1551 . I will add a picture of it into the stained glass church window gallery