The Healing of the Nations

The Friends of Blackburn Cathedral have funded the restoration of the Healing of the Nations installation at the East End of the Cathedral.  Their commitment to the project has enabled the refurbishment of the sculpture, revealing once again the beauty of  the fibre optics which emit a spectrum of light through the sculptures outer shell to bring the giant structure to life.

For those unfamiliar with its history, the sculpture was commissioned for the Millennium and designed by acclaimed international artist Mark Jalland. It is a reflection on the opening of chapter 22 of the book of Revelation, new Jerusalem, and ‘the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations’.

Traditionally a stained-glass window at the east end of a cathedral would reflect a spectrum of light into the building but this sculpture projects the light out in a kaleidoscope of colour reminding us of Jesus the light of the world and the hope that we have in him.  The best time to view the sculpture is when dark, so it’s certainly worth a special journey to see the changing colours!