CATHEDRAL CHAPEL of ST. VIBIANA

The painting occupies the niche behind the altar that was designed and executed by the Piczek sisters, and is done in the style of the triptich altar piece found in the more ancient churches of Europe. It is actually a theological diagram which needs to ber read rather than a  painting to be looked at. Christ is seen as the central figure in his risen, glorified form rising into the arms of the Father with his cross. This brings our the fuller meaning of death, resurrection and ascension - that the sacrifice of Chirst did not end with his death, but was presented to the Father as the eternal sacrifice of the risen Christ. In the painting, the cross appears to be part of Christ's body, and it continues through the body to the earth below. The traitional image of the Holy Spirit (the dove) is seen circling Christ's body to express the fact of his rising to the Father in the Holy Spirit. The Father is depicted as joyfully accepting the Sacrifice of his for all mankind. The figure of God, the Father, is depicted a being the same age as the Son in order to express the eternal and unchangeable nature of God. The side panels of the painitng depict the nine choirs of angels worhipping the Holy Trinity. The lower choirs, expressing greater affinity with man, appear in more human form while each choir become progressively more abstract. All appear as flaming, but not burning, spirits. As to all these images the bright colors and the resulting impression is one of great joy.