"Well, I lost myself in other's melodies
I was singing songs that were never meant for me
I tried to heal everyone's heartache but my own
Hiding behind their grief so I didn't feel alone."
~ from Other's Melodies by Gatton
That was Gatton singing Other's Melodies through my headphones as I sat inside Basilica Minori Del Sto Nino on Maundy Thursday—Visita Iglesia was something I hadn't done in a while. Growing up around religious people, Visita Iglesia is a tradition and a Lenten practice to visit seven churches for penance and sacred vows from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday. I'm an oddball, though, more spiritual than religious, but I still respect our traditions. I find the practice beyond what rituals are. It is a conversation with ourselves to know what we can change and can not, taking a leap of faith in uncertainty and the monotony of life.
As I looked over my side, I saw my family starting to offer their prayers in silence. I took out the headphones, paused Spotify, kneeled at the kneeler in front, and closed my eyes to offer my prayers. Although I heard murmurs, it was like crickets in the night, somehow melodies of silence. As my consciousness sank deep into my internal conversations, the silence was deafening, and the serenity was melodious.
The stained glass caught my attention as I opened my eyes, sending me deep thoughts and reflecting on life. As the sunshine passed through the windows, a kaleidoscope of colors danced across the walls and floors, breaking the monotony of interiors in cathedrals. Yet, unlike other windows, the attention is not on the view we see through it but on the imagined vision it holds. Stained glass is a light painting, a lighted wall decoration. It will only glow brightly at the appropriate time of day. These are ancient masterpieces, a centuries-old art form used to honor a loved one or enhance a religious sanctuary's ambiance.
Yet more than merely a piece of entertainment or a work of art, it can inspire a moment of reflection. Not simply on the image it may convey but also on the symbolic significance of a window designed to gaze inwardly rather than outwardly. As opposed to the revelatory sign of light or the enticement of a window to look out upon the world represents how we experience the world through filtered lenses. Our punto de vista is colored; we don't know if they take us closer to the light of revelation or into darkness. Each panel in the stained glass showed a different perspective of the world—an allegory of our lives.
"Broken all the pieces I've been shaping lately
Focused on the things that didn't make no sense
Guess that growing up was never meant to be easy
Yeah, I got used to doing everything sideways
Didn't really care about how everyone felt
Hiding my emotions down in different ashtrays."
~ from Beautiful Scars by Maximillian
I played Spotify, and Gatton ended. It was now Maximillian turn to sing Beautiful Scars. I continued to be amazed by the stained glass in Basilica Del Sto. Nino. These intricate and colorful works of art produce a soft, diffused light and a serene space that is so animate with the patterns of light as it changes with the sun. Beautiful and strong yet fragile and vulnerable. A perfect duality of what it to be beautiful and ugly. That is what makes stained glass in a cathedral work aesthetically well. A piece of colored glass is unappealing, but collectively a stained glass is a masterpiece.
We are like stained-glass windows. Our distinct life experiences, upbringing, and how we have built relationships with other people, communities, and places, we have a filter on how we view and experience our environment. These filters are lovely on their own, but when we put them all together, we begin to see the wider image, and that's when the true beauty comes through.
As the sun shines (the good things in life come), we glitter and shine. But when darkness falls (bad things happen), only the light from within can truly outshine the darkness, revealing our true selves. No matter how beautiful stained glass is, it won't indeed be what it promised to be.
Sharing what we find lovely in this world is one way we may connect. What makes us unique is that every person who views the same piece of stained glass will see it through their lens, see something new, and be able to contribute to the world in our unique way.
Again, life is similar to stained glass. When we held up to the light, it became bright. The unquestioned existence is usually dull. The colors, subtleties, and tales will not rush out and grab us by the throat; we must light them up for ourselves. Numbers have no significance, only depth. It is true of love, friendship, masterpieces, and, most importantly, years. Like a stained glass of Gothics that stood the test of time, there is beauty even in our brokenness.
The tiny beautiful things in life are bland and uninteresting. I'm also sure that people remember their regular life on the proverbial dying bed rather than our travels to Boracay or Palawan. We should focus on daily life, infusing it with as much awareness as possible. But I'm not saying stop traveling. Every day, there are things we might pause to admire, such as the sun rising and setting.
All photos are from the author. The lyrics presented is curated from Spotify. If Spotify links doesn't work, the lyrics can be found in genius.com for Other's Melodies and Beautiful Scars.
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Those stained glasses are beautiful Jueco the serene environment plus the playlist that you have matches the vibe.
Beautiful scars love this especially nung nag sta start yung pandemic this has been my go to song each time that I am down.
The stained glass and the beautiful tapestry fo colors as the sun hits it brings the moods of reflection.
I first heard Beautiful scars in pandemic too. It has a beautiful lyrics that resonates with whoever going through whatever in life.
!PIZZA
We share the same thought, I also consider myself more spiritual than of a specific religion. However all this tradition is beautiful, and I feel much respect and admiration, I really loved all the beauty of this church, you feel peace in it and you managed to capture perfectly all the essence of all its murals and stained glass.
It was wonderful to have seen all the art and an incredible vibe you feel when contemplating.
A hug!
Same. I'm proud of the religion and it's teaching that I grow up with, and I appreciate and find beauty in other religion as well. Being more spritual than religious allow us to seek what faith is all about.
Truly, I couldn't agree more. As we appreciate and respect our traditions, we learned something about ourselves.
I did. I hope my writing sends a sense of peace as well. We may all find bliss and peace.
Sending hugs!
!PIZZA
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Haven't been here for a while but these are really wonderful. Til now, it has preserved its beauty.
And I like what you said about us being like stained glass windows. That could be a poem on its own!
They preserve it well despite the calamities that it had been through. Thank you for appreciating the post!
Wow! such impressive and colorful stained glass windows, visiting this church and being able to observe each decorative element must be a great experience, the ceiling decoration is very attractive and the arrangement of the murals allows you to observe them from different angles, what material are the ornaments that support the murals made of?
Greetings!
Being able to have an immerrrsive experience of the Basillica's architecture is a great experience (good for reflection and introspection).
I'm not sure, but probably plaster and cement (perhaps wood as well).
This is amazing! Beautiful photography of such a solemn place. Also amazing writing. Love it.
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Excellent photographs and a very good story.
PS: I'm going to look for that song hahaha.
You should. It is a good song and the lyrics is beautiful. By the way, thank you for appreciating the photos and the story shared.
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The Basilica Minori Del Sto. Nino is without a doubt an incredible heritage of Spanish colonial architecture. Many design elements within the church assist the faithful in observing an ideal spiritual experience. Truly, the stained glass windows are visual narratives that enhance the religious atmosphere, providing an ideal space for authentic meditations. 😊
Indeed, the design choice is very intentional to encourage solemnity in meditations and prayer.
!PIZZA