On Not Seeing It All: Bishop Barron’s ‘Heaven in Stone and Glass’

Dr. Tod Worner describes the experience of visiting major European cathedrals, such as Cologne Cathedral, Notre Dame, and Chartres, in an article for Word on Fire. He reflects on how the scale and architecture of these structures, including soaring spires, rose windows, and flying buttresses, create an otherworldly atmosphere.

Worner recounts his time singing in various venues during a college choir tour. He notes that Cologne Cathedral took 632 years to complete and describes the sensation of being unable to see the entire structure at once due to its height. He also mentions the historical presence of these buildings, noting how they remained standing through the wreckage of World War II.