English: Expiatory Church of The Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Català: Temple del Sagrat Cor vist des de la Talaia del Tibidabo.
Photo: 11 September 2009.
Source: Own work.
Author: Jordiferrer
(Wikimedia Commons)
It Is Only Love And Mercy”.
Catholic Holy Card depicting The Sacred Heart of Jesus, circa 1880.
Auguste Martin Collection, University of Dayton Libraries.
Date: 1880.
Source: Turgis.
Author: Turgis.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Auguste Martin Collection, University of Dayton Libraries.
Date: 1880.
Source: Turgis.
Author: Turgis.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.
The Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor (English: Expiatory Church of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Spanish: Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús) is a Roman Catholic Church and Minor Basilica located on the summit of Mount Tibidabo in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
The building is the work of the Spanish architect Enric Sagnier and was completed by his son Josep Maria Sagnier i Vidal. The construction of the Church, Dedicated to The Sacred Heart of Jesus, lasted from 1902 to 1961.
This motivated a “Board of Catholic Knights” to acquire the ownership of the field and give it to Saint John Bosco in 1886, when he was visiting Barcelona at the invitation of Dorotea de Chopitea, a great patron and promoter of the project. From this arose the idea of a building Dedicated to The Sacred Heart of Jesus, a Dedication very popular at that time thanks to the impetus given by Pope Leo XIII, and following in line with the Church built in Rome by Bosco himself (Sacro Cuore di Gesù a Castro Pretorio) and the famous Sacré-Cœur in Paris.
However, the project to build the Church suffered a significant delay, mainly because of the development of a new project to build an Astronomical Observatory on the summit of Tibidabo, which was eventually constructed on a nearby hill (Fabra Observatory). Finally, on 28 December 1902, the Foundation Stone was placed in a Ceremony presided over by the Bishop of Barcelona, Salvador Casañas i Pagès.
The Crypt was built between 1903 and 1911, and the main Church was built between 1915 and 1951. The Church was Consecrated by Bishop Gregorio Modrego Casaus during the 35th Eucharistic Congress held in Barcelona in 1952.
The Crypt was built between 1903 and 1911, and the main Church was built between 1915 and 1951. The Church was Consecrated by Bishop Gregorio Modrego Casaus during the 35th Eucharistic Congress held in Barcelona in 1952.
The Towers were completed afterward, with work officially ending in 1961. On 29 October 1961, the Church received the Title of Minor Basilica, from Pope Saint John XXIII.
Another amazing point of focus by Zephyrinus: This basilica, above Barcelona (500m), with a commanding view of the city, and properly named after the Vulgate Latin translation of the famous passage of the tempting of Christ. Matthew 4:9: “ All this I will give to you (tibi dabo), if you will but fall down and worship me,” says the Devil.
ReplyDeleteBut in this case the majestic bronze statue of Christ extends his hands over the city in blessing.
Another amazing fact is that this stunningly beautiful church, started in 1902, survived the Spanish Civil War: during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the so-called ”Loyalists” (communists actually) were well-known to desecrate Catholic shrines, especially statues of the Sacred Heart, by using them for rifle practice. In fact the original great statue of the Sacred Heart atop them basilica, placed there in 1935, was destroyed in 1936. The present bronze statue, designed by Joseph Miret, was placed in its pinnacle position in 1950.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, the amazing design of this basilica by architect Enric Sagnier, a very devout Catholic, is meant to have the pilgrim commence in the darker (though beautifully mosaic and alabaster decorated Byzantine-style) crypt under the church, then climbing up to the basilica main level with magnificent stained glass portrayals of the Life of Christ and many of the patron Saints of Spain and Catalonia, then finally ascending up to the statue of Christ, the Sacred Heart , with this stunning over 500 m. elevation view. “The ascent…reflects the rise and the purification of the human condition by sacrifice and atonement.”
Amazing insight, by architect Enric Sagnier, is it not? Makes us all want to go to “Mt. Tibidabo.”
Another outstanding contribution from our North American Correspondent, Dante Peregrinus, for which we are most grateful.
DeleteThis contribution from Dante Peregrinus is redolent of the historical, architectural, and religious, connotations of this magnificent Minor Basilica in Catalonia. Deo Gratias.
No, Deo Gratias for your blog, “Dom” Zephyrinus:
ReplyDeleteI am only a rather slow student in your “school:” I who have had the great good fortune of traveling through a portion of Catholic Europe, yet knew nothing of this extraordinary basilica—even though a now-deceased close friend of mine who studied in Barcelona often waxed eloquent of its many shrines and exceptional Catholic beauty.
Now I have another other-worldly shrine to visit—either in spirit anytime, or perhaps some day in fact!