BARCELONA, Spain, JULY 26, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Barcelona is preparing for Benedict XVI’s visit by reflecting on St. Peter, the architect of the church the Pope will dedicate, and the example of the Holy Family.
A booklet with seven catecheses on these three topics has been distributed throughout Spain.
The Holy Father will visit Barcelona on Nov. 6, dedicating the Church of the Sagrada Familia, which was designed by Servant of God Antoni Gaudí. The Pope will designate the church a basilica.
Jesuit Father Enric Puig Jofra, coordinator of the papal visit, spoke of the catechesis booklet at a press conference Friday. The cover of the booklet has the poster promoting the visit. A smiling, open-armed Benedict XVI is in front of Gaudí’s church, and an aerial image of Barcelona serves as the backdrop.
Forming the faithful
The first three catecheses in the booklet focus on St. Peter: the fisherman, the apostle, and the rock upon which Christ founded his Church.
The fourth and fifth lessons present the figure of Gaudí, showing «certain keys of his journey and spiritual progress.»
The architect (1852-1926) is presented as a layman who was a «man of his time and an artist who, through beauty, opens to us the path to God.»
The catechesis looks at his life divided into six stages; it considers why he never married, his care for the poor, and how he took nature as his primary teacher, among other themes.
Finally, the third section of the booklet reflects on the Holy Family, presenting two catecheses on this theme.
The first centers on the «meaning of the Holy Family as a temple to gather the community in the liturgy of praise.»
The second centers on the Holy Family as «a model for families, the Church and society.»
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On the Net:
Catechesis booklet (in Spanish): http://www.arqbcn.org/node/217
