Antoni Gaudi, 'God's architect' on road to sainthood

La Sacrada Familia image JS/ICN

Source: Vatican News

Antoni Gaudí, the Catalan architect who designed La Sacrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, is among a group of people who are one step closer to being declared saints.

In an audience with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints today, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of Decrees concerning six people: a religious sister from India, Eliswa of the Blessed Virgin; martyred Italian missionary Fr Nazareno Lanciotti; 'God's architect' Antoni Gaudí and three priests, Fr Peter Joseph Triest, Fr Angelo Bughetti, and Fr Agostino Cozzolino.

Born in 1852, Antoni Gaudí i Cornet accepted the task of directing the project of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona in 1883. His focus was making art a hymn of praise to the Lord and he considered it his mission to make God known and bring people closer to Him. Gaudi also designed buildings connected to the cathedral which offered spaces for various community activities.

Gaudi lived very modestly. When he was injured by a tram on 7 June 1926, no one recognised him. He was taken to the Hospital de la Santa Creu, the city's hospital for the poor. After receiving the last sacraments, he died three days later, on June 10. Around 30,000 people attended his funeral.

The other people named today were:

Fr Nazareno Lanciotti, martyr in Brazil: Born on March 3, 1940, and ordained a priest in 1966, after several years of ministry in Rome, the diocesan priest Fr. Nazareno Lanciotti from Rome became involved with Operation Mato Grosso and moved to Brazil as a missionary in 1971.

He dedicated himself to the poor and fought against various forms of injustice and oppression, such as prostitution rings and drug trafficking. His pastoral work made him a target.

On the night of February 11, 2001, while finishing dinner with some coworkers, Fr Lanciotti was seriously wounded by two hooded assailants who had broken into his home. He died on February 22, at the age of 61.

Eliswa of the Blessed Virgin: was born Eliswa Vakayil from Kerala, India, on October 15, 1831 and is set to be beatified. At 16, she married a rich businessman and had a daughter in 1851. Widowed the following year, she chose a life of prayer and solitude, marked by frequent participation in the sacraments. She cared for the poor and made a simple hut her home.

In 1862, she met Italian Discalced Carmelite Father Leopoldo Beccaro and, under his spiritual guidance, founded the first local congregation in Kerala: the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites.

Fr Peter Joseph Triest, Belgian founder: Founder of the Congregations of the Brothers of Charity, the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, and the Sisters of the Childhood of Jesus, Fr Peter Joseph Triest, now declared Venerable, was born in Brussels (Belgium) on August 31, 1760.

Ordained a priest on June 9, 1786, he was forced to live in hiding during the Belgian Revolution and the French Revolution to avoid taking the oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy under Emperor Joseph II of Habsburg-Lorraine.

Fr Triest founded an orphanage for poor and abandoned children, assisted by several women, and with them began the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary in 1804.

Fr Angelo Bughetti, diocesan priest and teacher: Born on August 27, 1877, was an Italian diocesan priest and has now been declared Venerable. He was dedicated to preaching and serving in various charitable activities, aiming to form the Christian and civic conscience of young people. He also wrote articles for different periodicals.

In an anti-clerical, socialist, and Masonic climate, he dedicated himself to children and young people, recognizing their struggles and helping them develop their potential.

Fr Agostino Cozzolino, formator and rector: Now Venerable, Fr Agostino was from Campania, Italy, and born on October 16, 1928. Ordained a priest in 1952, he devoted himself to the formation and catechesis of young people and adults in parishes and was later appointed vice-rector of the Major Seminary of Naples, where he guided many young men by word and example.

On September 30, 1960, he was assigned to the Basilica-Shrine of Santa Maria della Neve in the Ponticelli district of Naples, where he remained as pastor until his death in November 1988.