The Sacred Art of the Original “John 3:16”
carving the All Saints Corpus
by Reverend Mark Bleakley
…..After a while, pictures started arriving of the work in progress, and yet not being familiar with carving it was hard for me to know what I was looking at. From the head there extended a beautiful radiating halo that he had joined together from small pieces of Olivewood imported from the Holy Land, but something seemed to be missing in the face. It was so close, but I was terrified that after all our work it would look all wrong. I’ll finish up the eyes, he explained, and then send it, concluding, “I so loved working on this Corpus for it is from Him that allows me to do what I can.”
For two weeks I waited and finally, there was a knock on the door. I pulled this huge box into the kitchen and after carefully opening it, began unwinding the figure wrapped in foam like a mummy. As the first hand emerged I was overcome and pulling back the wrapping I saw these amazing eyes. It was the eyes that completed it, and I had been absolutely unprepared. How wonderful, I thought, with every meaning of that word and more than could be said in words.
Finally, on Ash Wednesday, the corpus found its home—its throne–as it was mounted on the Celtic Cross. And the people stood beholding It certainly was a journey of faith as our fears were tested. And yet with the corpus in place, we all sensed that the Sanctuary was complete. It had been worth it all to give the whole church the opportunity—some for the first time—to pray beneath the crucifix. Here was the Love of God made visible—poured out on the cross: And I, if I be lifted up will draw all men unto me.
It was a journey of faith, I know for our carver who found a much more challenging piece than he had expected and yet had persevered through sickness and setbacks. I certainly commend Paul as an excellent carver, and cannot speak highly enough of the work he did. It is evident that every square inch was carved with deep care so that the figure is expressive throughout. The eyes convey light and life. The tunic and the body have a sensitivity and liveliness–a great fete as he took the very stylized two-dimensional San Damiano cross and rendered it in three dimensions. But most of all it is the hands I’m brought back to.
The story is really told by the hands, which at the same time give, gather, and offer. As pierced through, the hands are open in the self-giving love of Him who emptied Himself for us (Philippians 2). As raised in triumph over Death, those hands are opening His Kingdom to all believers. In the glorious words of St. John’s Gospel, “And I, if I am lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” Finally, as held up in the orans position of prayer, He “ever lives to make intercession for us.”
​​