Antoni Gaudi, who died on this day, June 10, in 1926, was a celebrated architect in his native country of Spain. As a young man, Gaudi lived a rather flashy lifestyle. His architectural style is very recognizable and very unique; I would call it whimsical. In my different visits to Spain, I have marveled at his architecture, at the houses, churches, public buildings, and parks that he designed and had built. Gaudi built the episcopal palace in the city of Astorga to be the residence of the bishop, a town located on the Camino pilgrimage route of St James. Gaudi’s friend, the bishop there in Astorga at the time, commissioned him to build the new bishop’s residence when the old one burned down in the late 19th century. Most of Gaudi’s projects are located in the Catalan region of Eastern Spain. I love the wonderful Park Güell that Gaudi designed for the aristocracy in the city of Barcelona. It is the Church of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia) that is Gaudi’s crowning glory and an expression of his Catholic Faith. That church, even though it is still unfinished, has been named a basilica and has brought many visitors to experience its beauty. Gaudi started attending daily mass and dressed as a humble laborer while working on the building of that church. Gaudi unexpectely died after having been struck by a street car. He has been proposed as a candidate for canonization, with him being named a servant of God. His cause has received positive feedback from Pope Francis.
In our psalm today it states: “Blessed be God, who lives for ever. Bless the Lord, all you his chosen ones, and may all of you praise his majesty. Celebrate days of gladness, and give him praise.” We bless the Lord and praise him in different ways in our lives. The architect Antoni Guadi praised the Lord in the buildings he designed and built. Let us praise the Lord in our words and our actions in whatever path we go down in life.
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