VIERA | St. John the Evangelist Parish in Viera celebrated its 25th anniversary with Mass and the dramatic unveiling of a new mural depicting Jesus’s crucifixion in three panels made of more than 1,000 pieces of colored glass.
“It is absolutely surreal to behold this amazing artwork,” said pastor, Holy Cross Father John Britto Antony. “Every detail seems to draw the heart and the eyes toward Calvary, where one becomes part of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. There is a profound spiritual movement within the piece: everything leads toward Golgotha, inviting us not merely to observe the Crucifixion, but to enter into the mystery of Christ’s suffering, love, and redemption.”
Father Antony dreamt of the mural for the past six years. When he met the artists Giancarlo Biagi and Jill Burkee-Biagi two years ago, he knew they were the ones to execute the masterpiece. Biagi and Burke designed the artwork for the piece and were onsite for the unveiling. As Father Antony noted, “this extraordinary artwork (is) the fruit of many gifted hands, hearts and minds.”
He wrote to his parishioners. “Throughout history, the Catholic Church has used sacred art as a powerful means of evangelization. Every sacred artwork preaches a silent yet profound homily, as in the words of the late Pope Benedict XVI from August 2020: ‘The only really effective apologia for Christianity comes down to two arguments: the saints the Church has produced and the art which has grown in her womb.’”
Father Antony said over the years he felt, although the church was already beautiful, something was still missing. After visiting many churches and praying about it, he met the artists. He shared his vision with them explaining how the parish is named after St. John the Evangelist and “how deeply united John and Mary are united through the mystery of Christ’s crucifixion.” He felt Pentecost was the ideal day to unveil the work of art. “Just as the Easter season culminates in the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we likewise have been building toward this sacred moment — a moment of grace marking the pinnacle of our silver jubilee year. … This sacred depiction of Mary and John standing faithfully at the foot of the Cross — together with Mary, the wife of Cleopas, Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and the Roman soldiers — transforms our sacred space into a living encounter with the mystery of Christ’s love.”
Noting, “A mosaic is not merely art; it is theology in stone,” he said “there is something remarkably transcendent about this work. Each tiny piece so carefully placed reflects how God gathers the broken fragments of humanity and forms them into a unified story of redemption.”
Bishop John Noonan dedicated the mosaic depicting the crucifixion scene as told in the Gospel of John, chapter 19. In addition to several clergy, Bishop Jorge Izaguirre of the Diocese of Chosica, who is also a member of the Holy Cross congregation, concelebrated the Mass with Father Bill Lies, Holy Cross provincial.
Watch a reel of the unveiling.