Posted on 03/04/2010 11:31:27 AM PST by marshmallow
We recently reported that there was a possibility that Benedict XVI might consecrate Antonio Gaudi's famed Barcelona church, the Sagrada Familia.
Today, the Vatican Information Service confirmed that this has now been determined, and the Holy Father will consecrate the church:
VATICAN CITY, 4 MAR 2010 (VIS) - Benedict XVI is due to visit the Spanish cities of Santiago de Compostela and Barcelona in November this year, according to announcements made yesterday by Archbishop Julian Barrio Barrio of Santiago de Compostela, and Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach, archbishop of Barcelona.
The Holy Father will travel to Santiago de Compostela on 6 November, for the occasion of the Compostela Holy Year, then move on to Barcelona on 7 November where he will consecrate the church of the "Sagrada Familia".
Aside from being a significant event given the fame of this church, one which was under construction for so many decades, this event may also provide a venue to hear Benedict speak on continuity and development as it relates to the liturgy and the liturgical arts.
Is this the corncob-looking one?
Good music ... and better yet, I had never heard of Antonio Gaudi or La Sagrada Famila before.
Gothic meets Buck Rogers.
Great news! It’s a beautiful building. Gaudi died before completing the design (he was run over by a tram in BCN) and there has been controversy over its completion, but the effect as it is now is very striking and very beautiful and theologically perfect.
I went to Barcelona in 2000. As we toured the cathedral, that song never left my head (in fact it is firmly ensconced there now!).
IIRC, Gaudi had nothing to do with that facade. At his death, there were no plans found among Gaudi's affects. Some "Board" contracted it out to a semi-well know architect (whose name I can't recall).
No, the facade was designed by Gaudi. In the 1990s, they had already executed the plans left by Gaudi, but they put on a push to complete it and gave the completion of the different scenes in the facade to a modern Spanish sculptor. His are less successful, IMHO, since he came from the “faceless block” school of modern sculpture. The bronze doors were also done at that time, and they are actually interesting (not sure it was the same sculptor, though).
However, the effect of the building in general is great, and Gaudi’s wonderful designs (and the tiny touches, such as the white doves in the stone work) are really what you will notice.
If you ever go there, make sure you go up in the towers and onto the roof.
Gaudi is Gaudy.
I was ther in 2000 and towers were not open.
Wonderful news. I went there in the early 90s. To me, it really looked and felt like it was designed by someone with faith, unlike some churches I have seen.
Up in the towers, taking pictures, all the proportions of sections of the other towers fit perfectly into my camera’s view, like it was mean to be that way. The other thing I liked was at one entrance, the cement looked like muscle and sinew (not gross in context), so that you could connect with the Church being the Body of Christ.
I hope everyone who goes there has a “religious experience.” It is really something.
“Sacred Family”?
Wow!
try “Holy Family”.
It's on my list of places I gotta see.
Thanks!
They close them occasionally when they are doing work on them. Next time!
Gaudi has been proposed for canonization.
I’d like to visit Spain. I can only imagine how breathtaking Sagrada Familia would be in person.
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