Antoni Gaudí proclaimed Venerable - Antoni Gaudí proclaimed Venerable

Antoni Gaudí has been proclaimed Venerable by Pope Francis after accepting the votes in favour from historical advisers, theologians and the cardinals and bishops in the Vatican’s Dicastry for the Causes of Saints. A Venerable is a Christian who, having lived their life by Christian virtues, is a candidate for beatification. Venerable is the second step on the path to canonisation after Servant of God and having examined the consistent, joyful practice of the theological and moral virtues for a significant period of their life.

Gaudí, God’s architect

In 1926, when Antoni Gaudí died, Rev. Manel Trens i Ribas (1892-1976) named Gaudí “God’s architect” because the Basilica of the Sagrada Família opens hearts to Beauty with its beauty. Gaudí is an archetype of the connection between the Gospel and art, an example of magnificent intertwining of human, professional work and faith. “Serving God through architecture”, this was Antoni Gaudí’s motto for the more than 40 years he dedicated to the Temple, the last 14 years exclusively, even living on the grounds for his last months. Gaudí, moved by God’s grace, aimed to create a work that would be “a Bible in stone”, Catechism open to all. This can be seen in every detail.

Second step on the road to canonisation

In late 2023, the Positio was submitted to the Vatican and the Archdiocese of Barcelona got involved in the cause, setting up the Canonical Association for the Beatification of Antoni Gaudí to take over from the civil association registered with the Government of Catalonia in 1992. The canonical association is chaired by Cardinal Omella i Omella and co-chaired by Josep Maria Turull, Rector of the Basilica. Meticulous study of the contents of the Positio has allowed the process to move into the second step by proclaiming Gaudí “Venerable” or the recognition of our architect’s holiness.