“God’s Architect” Antoni Gaudí Placed on Path to Sainthood

Known as “God’s architect,” Antoni Gaudí has been placed on the path to sainthood by Pope Francis and the Vatican in recognition of his “heroic virtues.”

Gaudí is the architect of one of the world’s most famous religious sites, the unfinished Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona. On Monday, April 16, the Vatican published a statement in which Pope Francis authorized a holy decree declaring the Catalonian architect “venerable.”

Antoni Gaudí is being placed on the path to sainthood by the pope is his destiny

In an interview with AFP news agency, Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, called the news a “joy”. “It is a recognition not only of his architectural work but something more important,” he said, adding “He is saying you… amid life’s difficulties, amid work, amid pain, amid suffering, are destined to be saints.”

The next step in the formal process of becoming a saint is beatification, just one stage before full sainthood. This is a category that is usually reserved for martyrs. Martyrs are considered to be individuals who lived a life of “heroic values” and hold a saintly reputation by the Catholic church.

Antoni Gaudí was born 172 years ago today.

He’s one of the most beloved architects in the world, and that makes sense — his style is utterly unique.

But Gaudí only designed 17 buildings… pic.twitter.com/8tKPLtYKS6

— The Cultural Tutor (@culturaltutor) June 25, 2024

Gaudí, who was born in 1852, has produced some of Barcelona’s main tourist sites. The Sagrada Familia basilica has been under construction since 1883, and has not been finished. It is considered a World Heritage site by UNESCO, and was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI.

Church Requires Proof of Miracle to Declare Gaudí a Saint

Antoni Gaudí died in 1926. He was hit by a tram in Barcelona while he was walking to church. Since he is not a martyr, to proceed with his beatification, the Catholic church would require proof of a miracle that could be attributed to the architect after his death. The miracle would prove that God is working through him.

One miracle, however, is not enough to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic church. Generally, the religious institution requires a second confirmed posthumous miracle to be made a saint. This further confirms the individual’s connection with God.

Sagrada Família
Antoni Gaudí i Cornet ( 25 June 1852–10 June 1926) was an architect. He is the best known practitioner of Catalan Modernism. pic.twitter.com/yyErHr8VbS

— Aesthetic Sharer ZHR (@CGdrawing) April 5, 2018

After a second miracle is confirmed, the church compiles a comprehensive file on the individual known as the position, which compiles all of the evidence for his virtuous life and the miracles he has produced. This file is then scrutinized by experts at the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to ensure it meets the Church’s standards.

If all conditions are met, Antoni Gaudí could be declared a saint by the Pope and the Catholic Church following a period of thorough evaluation.