As His 143-Year-Old Church Approaches Completion, Architect Antoni Gaudí Moves Closer to Sainthood

Photo credit: www.smithsonianmag.com

Gaudí, often referred to as “God’s architect,” has been declared “venerable” by Pope Francis, moving him closer to sainthood.

The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, an iconic basilica, has endured numerous challenges including the Spanish Civil War, devastating fires, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic fluctuations. Located in the Eixample district, this ambitious architectural project commenced in 1882 and is now nearing its completion, after an impressive 143 years of work on Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece.

As the church approaches its final phase of construction, the Vatican has taken significant steps towards recognizing Gaudí’s potential for sainthood. On April 14, Pope Francis, shortly after leaving a five-week hospitalization, publicly acknowledged the “heroic virtues of the servant of God” Antoni Gaudí i Cornet.

Born on June 25, 1852, in Catalonia, Gaudí studied architecture in Barcelona and began working on the Sagrada Familia in 1883 at the age of 31. He dedicated 40 years of his life to this project, which, although not yet finished, is projected to be completed by 2026.

Owing to his profound faith and extraordinary contributions, Gaudí earned the moniker of “God’s architect.” Italian historian Giovanni Maria Vian describes the Sagrada Familia as “the last great church” in Europe, asserting to the New York Times that Gaudí’s visionary qualities merit consideration for beatification—an essential step toward potential canonization.

In recognition of his contributions, seven of Gaudí’s designs, including the Sagrada Familia, have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. In an important milestone, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the basilica in 2010, marking it sacred in front of over 6,500 attendees. During the ceremony, he quoted Gaudí’s belief that a church is “the only thing worthy of representing the soul of a people, for religion is the most elevated reality in man.”

The process of canonization—recognizing someone as a saint—allows for formal requests to be submitted after a person’s death, following a five-year waiting period. Initially, a bishop evaluates whether sufficient evidence supports the claim. If deemed appropriate, the individual is designated a “servant of God.” Subsequently, their life is examined for alignment with the Catholic Church’s teachings by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. If successful, they may be declared “venerable.”

According to the New York Times, Gaudí’s case for sainthood was formally put forth to the Vatican in 2023, culminating in the recent declaration of his “venerable” status.

The next phase is beatification, where the individual is declared “blessed.” This step necessitates evidence of martyrdom or a verified miracle attributed to the person. Canonization, the final step, requires proof of a second miracle. The decision rests with the pope, who celebrates a special Mass to honor the canonized individual.

In Gaudí’s case, achieving beatification will likely hinge on the existence of a miracle connected to him following his death in 1926, as reported by the BBC News.

Support for Gaudí’s sainthood has been a longstanding effort from his community and followers, many of whom believe his architectural creations were divinely inspired. In 2003, the Guardian quoted Barcelona’s former Cardinal Ricardo María Carles Gordó, who pondered whether anyone acquainted with Gaudí’s work could believe it was merely the product of rational thought.

Art historian Lourdes Cirlot expressed to the BBC that while the miraculous nature of buildings is hard to quantify, there’s a potential for significant experiences in the Sagrada Familia, emphasizing how belief can influence perceptions of possibility and healing.

Source
www.smithsonianmag.com