October 6, 2010. It may seem that the 'Summa Theologica' of St. Thomas Aquinas, the 'Divine Comedy' of Dante Alighieri and the Temple of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia have nothing in common. Not so. The masterpiece of theology, the classic of Italian literature and this architectural construction are three unique examples of works that combine all Christian theology.

The 'Summa Theologica' and the 'Divine Comedy' were revolutionary for their time. As is now the sacrificial temple of the Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudí, a church that the Pope will elevate to the rank of Basilica during his trip to Spain on 7 November.

According to the biographer of Gaudí, Josep Maria Tarragona, spirituality and the genius of this so-called “architect of God”, is reflected in every single detail of this masterpiece of architecture.

“Gaudí is one of the greatest contemporary artists, he is at the base of the current avant-garde. In this sense, the process is important because it marks the presence of Catholics in contemporary high culture, particularly in the production of art.”

Through the pages of the 'Divine Comedy' Heaven, Hell and Purgatory are encountered, while through the facades of the Sagrada Familia we trace the life of Jesus.

“The exterior face of the Sagrada Familia is towards the East, South and West. They are 3 large catechesis. In the East, where sun rises, we can see all figures and all expressions of childhood and adolescence of the life of Jesus. The Passion and death of Jesus are in the West where the sun sets, and the Creation and Last Judgement in the South is where the sun is higher and the sun is Christ is the light.”

According to Josep Maria Tarragona, Antoni Gaudí conceived the Sagrada Familia as a big catechesis. He take altarpieces from inside the church and moved them outside where everybody could see the truths of faith of Christianity. Gaudí wanted to reflect the early Christian Church, but with the progress and advances of time.

“He understood his mission in life as a deeply apostolic mission, which is to bring God to millions of people through art - but to people in the post-industrial society, not the people of the Renaissance or of the Middle Ages. Therefore it was necessary to create an art that manifests the beauty of the Church and all its liturgy to new generations.”

A temple and a point of reference for cutting-edge architecture around the world. A temple that goes beyond the laws of architecture, a masterpiece through which millions of people have been able to see the genius of Gaudi.

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-WP