It seems a November evening just like any other outside the iconic temple of the Sagrada
Familia or Holy Family, but look a bit closer and you can see that something is afoot.
The
first giveaway are two huge posters on two towers on the both the Nativity and the
Passion of Christ façade of the temple welcoming Pope Benedict the XVI, the second
is an increase in security at the entrance points to this much loved structure by
the famed Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi.
Six months ago if you were to have
visited the church, what you would have seen would have been its developing beauty
certainly and stunning views from on high, but still very much a work progress with
bulldozers digging into the foundations.
Although the Sagrada Family is by
no means finished, six months on the picture is very different. Gone are the diggers
in the main nave, replaced with a glistening marble floor and seating for hundreds.
Carefully placed lighting illuminates every nuke and cranny showing off the churches
geometry, crafted high ceilings, and tree like columns.
With the Pope’s visit
to the temple so close, nothing is being left to chance. A group of nuns prepare
how the alter will look on the day and workmen continue to check structural details.
In the midst of all these people is the 85 year old unassuming Chief Architect Jordi
Bonet who has worked on the church devotedly for many years and who is busily consulting
with others to make sure everything goes to plan.
Hundred’s of volunteers have
offered their services for the consecration of the Sagrada Familia and sitting in
the seats that will occupy guests on Sunday, they are given instructions about the
tasks they will perform.
"We knew the Pope was coming...."
There is
a sense of awe being in the Sagrada Familia at this time as people lovingly go about
their duties in preparation for this remarkable event, the consecration of the temple
and alter by Pope Benedict the XVI.
People you speak to here really think of
the temple as a people’s church and are looking forward to the prospect of future
liturgical celebrations here. In the words of Gaudi himself, “the Sagrada Familia
is a church made by the people and mirrored in them. It is a work that is in the hands
of God and the will of the people.”
One can’t help thinking as we approach
this historic event that Gaudi would be very proud.