Sagrada Família Basilica unveils 2026 program to commemorate 100th anniversary of Ven. Antoni Gaudí’s death

The world-renowned Sagrada Família Basilica is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of its architect, Venerable Antoni Gaudí, with a series of events spanning over the next several months, according to a Sept. 18 press release from the basilica.

Ven. Gaudí, known as “God’s architect,” spent more than 40 years designing the basilica, the construction of which has yet to be completed. According to the release, the Sagrada Família held a press conference this week announcing the events and the next steps in the basilica’s construction: the tower of Jesus Christ and the Chapel of the Assumption. 

The intricately detailed basilica, located in Barcelona, stands as a testament to the faith-based creative genius of Ven. Gaudí. Vatican News reported that he focused on “making art a hymn of praise to the Lord and he considered it his mission to make God known and bring people closer to Him.” Once the basilica is completed, it will be the tallest Catholic church in the world, as CatholicVote previously reported. 

The press conference was held just ahead of a multi-day event the basilica is hosting called Open Doors Days, which allows 20,000 people to visit the basilica for free and see the construction progress Sept. 19-24. 

The release states that the upcoming commemorative events “will be held to engage the public — especially the neighbors of the Sagrada Família — in honoring the legacy of Antoni Gaudí.”

The first event is set for Oct. 14, where a solemn Mass will be celebrated to mark the opening of the academic year for Ateneu Universitari Sant Pacià. After the Mass, the head architect of the basilica, Dr Jordi Faulí, will give a lecture. 

On Nov. 30, the basilica will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Tower of Barnabas, which is the only Basilica Família tower Gaudí saw completed in his lifetime. 

Moving into 2026, the next event will be held on the feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, in celebration of the laying of the Temple’s cornerstone. The basilica will hold a Solemn Mass dedicated to the foster father of Jesus, and the Catalan Choral Society will perform a concert in the basilica. 

The basilica will hold a Mass in commemoration of 100 years since Ven. Gaudí’s death on June 10, and will inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ.

“Finally, the celebrations at the Sagrada Família will draw to a close with a look to its future and legacy, illuminating the Nativity façade,” the release stated. 

At the press conference, Faulí explained the final stretch of the basilica’s construction, with the Tower of Jesus Christ being “one of the most important milestones,” the release stated. 

Other work includes construction on the Glory façade where the basilica’s main entrance will be, as well as sculptures and façades of the Chapel of the Assumption.