José María Zavala: “Gaudí is the Saint of Simplicity and the Eucharist”
“Antoni Gaudí lived a radical holiness, demonstrating that the greatness of faith lies in humility and daily surrender to Christ.”
Writer and journalist José María Zavala joins José Manuel Almuzara to delve into the spiritual figure of Antoni Gaudí. They analyze how the architect’s life, marked by voluntary poverty and unwavering faith, serves as a living testimony for the 21st-century Church. The interview reviews the status of the beatification cause and the necessity of spreading his heroic virtues.
José Manuel Almuzara, an expert on the life and work of Antoni Gaudí and promoter of his beatification cause, spoke with renowned Catholic author José María Zavala. This interview focused on the spiritual and lesser-known dimension of the Sagrada Familia architect. The main objective was to reveal how Gaudí’s profound faith was the driving force behind all his artistic creation. The conversation served to contextualize the current status of his process of sanctification and the relevance of his example in today’s society. Both experts agreed that the immensity of Gaudí’s work is inseparable from his life of piety and sacrifice.
Zavala highlighted that Gaudí represents a model of accessible holiness, founded on simplicity and ardent Eucharistic devotion. The Catalan architect understood his creative work as a direct service to God, transforming every project into an act of permanent prayer. His life, extremely austere and completely dedicated to his mission, is a beacon guiding the faithful toward the truth of the Gospel. The interview emphasized that Gaudí’s holiness is not merely a historical theory, but a palpable reality in his daily actions and sacrifices.
“Gaudí did not build buildings, he built prayer: every stone of the Sagrada Familia is a sigh lifted up to God.”
During the discussion, the intimate relationship between Gaudí’s architecture and Catholic liturgy was addressed, especially concerning the Sagrada Familia. Zavala explained how the constructive details of the temple function as a visual and structural catechesis, where every element holds a profound theological meaning. From the orientation of the naves to the light that floods the interior, everything is designed to elevate the soul toward the transcendent. This integral vision demonstrates that Gaudí did not separate his art from his Christian commitment; rather, he fused them into a masterpiece of faith that endures to this day.
The conversation also emphasized the need to disseminate Gaudí’s heroic virtues beyond academic and ecclesiastical circles. Almuzara and Zavala encouraged the faithful to actively pray for the swift conclusion of the diocesan phase of his beatification process, which already possesses abundant documentation. They stressed that Gaudí’s intercession can be powerful, especially for professionals seeking inspiration in dedication and workplace excellence. His legacy is a reminder that holiness is achieved in ordinary life, by fulfilling one’s duty with divine love.
“Gaudí’s cause needs our fervent prayer so that the world may officially recognize the greatness of his life of faith.”
Finally, the interview concluded with a call to recognize Antoni Gaudí as a prophet of beauty and faith for the 21st century. His life is a moving testimony of how evangelical poverty and obedience to the Church can generate eternal fruits and immortal works of art. Both experts reiterated their commitment to continue working so that the entire world may know the complete spiritual dimension of this genius. Gaudí’s eventual beatification would be an immense gift to the universal Church and a luminous example for contemporary culture.