Sports & nature
The Basilica
The Temple is formed in the space created by two rows of cylinders separated from one another in order to permit the light to enter, and they are covered with a large reinforced concrete ceiling.
These cylinders, hollowed out in their entire height, fotm the Chapels.
A delicate and smiling Infant Jesus has been placed on the right for our veneration. He invites us to meditate on the thonght that our God became Child for our love.
In the middle there is a large, luminous nave. The light penetrates into the Church, from every side as if in a forest: the light was a fundamental element in the planning of the Church, almost as if it were another material, the most precious material: Rays of light fall on the bricks between the cylinders that accentuate the cavities. Soft light falls above the chapels exalting their vertical lines. Diffuse light falling from the large ceiling cross illuminates yhe nave. Intense light is concentrated on the main altar. Vibrant colored light enters through the stained glass windows at the both ends of teh Temple.
At the focal point of the Church, the white marble materializes what the modern liturgy emphasizes: the Altar, the pulpit, and the tabernacle are covered with a copper canopy which accentuates their sacred character.
The organ extends towards the front a magnificent set of pipes in polished copper...
The lower zone is drew to the plan in saddles placed side by side of short, cut pipes like of pewter. On the upper part, on the contrary, there is like a block, an armour of long pipes of red copper, united and side by side in form of legion.
This results in the geometrical shape of a flame faring towards the ceiling, made of polished wood and opaque metal...a “Glory!” ...a “Hosanna” in the background of the temple.
It was created by the firm Tamburini of Crema.
On the large facade the space between the two terminal cylinders has been closed by a knitted veil of cement with a big Crucifix in the center, designed by the painter Villalta.
The same cylinnders, with their interior cavities, form the Chapels.
Of the twelve chapels one has been set up as the Chapel of Confessions.
The Confessionals are surmounted by a large Cross: Salvation from man comes from above, by means of the Cross of Jesus.
In the two lateral entrances to the central door, under a cone of light, are the two holy water basins.
The basins that contain the holy water are made of white marble, smoothly polished, in contrast to the crude stone which supports them; they symbolize the soul purified by the Grace of God.
By means of a stairway built into one of the cylinder supports we can reach the Crypt.
A enormous plate of cement is placed over the main entrance and protrudes on the outside like a shelter in the internal part from the choir.
On approaching the Basilica the pilgrim feels oppressed and crushed by his pains, his worries, his sins. On entering he has the sensation to be in the House of the Father and breathes the immensity of the Temple.
The doors are of embossed copper.
