Opening of Ateneu Universitari Sant Pacià academic year inaugurates Gaudí Year celebrations - Opening of Ateneu Universitari Sant Pacià academic year inaugurates Gaudí Year celebrations

The Basilica of the Sagrada Família hosted the opening of the 2025-2026 academic year at Ateneu Universitari Sant Pacià, an event that inaugurated the celebrations for Gaudí Year. Dr Jordi Faulí, head architect of the construction works at the Sagrada Família and professor in the Antoni Gaudí Faculty of Church History, Archaeology and Christian Art, gave the inaugural lecture, titled: “Gaudí’s architecture for the Sagrada Família elevates the spirit towards God.”

Dr Faulí highlighted the most significant architectural traits Antoni Gaudí designed and built so that anyone who saw or entered the Temple would feel close to God. He also explained how Gaudí designed and structured the project to be built in the future.

The event started with a mass led by Cardinal Joan Josep Omella i Omella. Then the academic year was inaugurated in the crypt, with Dr Marcos Aceituno, secretary general of Ateneu Universitari Sant Pacià, presenting the 2024-2025 academic report before he gave the floor to Dr Faulí for the inaugural lesson. Dr Joan Torra, rector of Ateneu Universitari Sant Pacià, brought the event to a close and Cardinal Joan Josep Omella i Omella proclaimed the academic year officially open. 

During the event, the 12 bishops present and members of the curia took a commemorative photo by Antoni Gaudí’s tomb.

More information: sagradafamilia2026.org