Young Parisians: Pope at UNESCO to Reveal Spiritual Dimension of Art

Edoardo Giribaldi, s. Róża Chrzanowska CSFN Cathedral in Saint-Denis, which its stained glass allows light into the choir and crypt, serves as an example for young Parisians of how art can speak of spirit. Paris is called the "city of light," and medieval "metaphysics of light" allows to read the significance that has been attributed to sacred art for centuries. "Living Stones" Community "Pierres Vivantes" was established in 2008 and focuses on young people who help discover the religious dimension of monuments. Paradoxically, as society becomes more secularized, interest in temples and sacred artworks created over the centuries grows. The "living stones" are the youth who want sacred art to remain something more than a historical and cultural heritage.

They help uncover the spiritual meaning from which it has grown. As Pavel Florensky wrote, it can become a "frame for meeting." Pierre-Alexis hopes that Leon XIV will remind young French people what constitutes the foundation of their unity. "We will all be together at Stade de France, on the Champs-Élysées. We are united because we have one foundation: Christ. Everything begins right here," he says. The Cathedral in Saint-Denis, located about 20 minutes from the stadium, is a testament to successive eras. Its architecture and stained glass allow to "read the entire history of the Church and the bond that connects the successive centuries." The activity of "Pierres Vivantes" grows from Ignatian spirituality, which assigns an important role to image and imagination.

Volunteers, however, do not focus primarily on conveying information about the works. They start from the person, their questions, impressions, and stories. The goal is to open a path to faith through an encounter with the work of art. Human stories depicted in paintings or stained glass can meet the story of Christ, the saints, and ultimately the story of God. Stained glass occupies a special place. They are not merely decoration but part of the church space, associated with light and its religious function. Their luminous colors tell a story each time, opening the possibility of conversation about faith and spirituality.