Celebrating the Saints

First to be completed was the commemoration of Thomas Traherne. This takes the form of stained glass windows in the Audley Chapel at the east end of the cathedral. The four windows depict key subjects in the writings of Traherne. The artist, Tom Denny (whose work can also be seen at Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucester Cathedral and Malvern Priory) has taken many quotations suggested to him by leading Traherne scholars and has woven these into a wonderful kaleidoscope of vivid colour. Tom’s work is particularly appropriate for Traherne as, like the 17th-century poet, Tom’s work can be read on several levels and always repays deeper study. The windows depict four main areas:
1	Traherne’s love of the Herefordshire countryside
2	Traherne’s insistence on the love of Christ shown in the Cross
3	Words by Traherne - ‘You are as prone to love as the sun to shine’
4	Traherne’s love for the city of Hereford and its inhabitants

Leaflets are available inside the chapel to help visitors understand the intricate subject matter of the windows and to use the windows and their message as material for prayer.

Visitors are often overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance of the colour in these windows. It’s difficult to speak loudly in this little chapel - the atmosphere created in it gives a great feeling of calm and contemplation.

The windows were dedicated by the Bishop of Hereford on 25 March 2007. Post cards and notelets and other material relating to the windows and to Traherne’s writings may be found in the Cathedral Shop. The windows were made possible through the generosity of the Jerwood Foundation, the Traherne Association, the Framlingham Bequest and by many individual donors.