A fascinating and beautiful article in the Guardian by Austin Ivereigh

[Joe Chi Minh]

on Gaudi the architect and the man, and his creation of the stunning cathedral in Barcelona, the Sacrada Familia:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/nov/16/gaudi-sagrada-familia-cathedral-for-our-times

[rug]

1. I had no idea about the life of the architect. Very interesting. Thanks.

[Joe Chi Minh]

2. Nor me. It was a revelation. You'd think his life would have been more

widely publicised, wouldn't you?

[rug]

3. Indeed. There's been more said about saints who have had a less dramatic life change.

This sentence cries out for more information.

"Over the next 30 years, he shed his wealth, spent more and more time in prayer, gave up meat and alcohol, put his money into improving the lot of the poor of his barrio, and dedicated himself entirely to the Sagrada Família, convinced that God had called him to this great task. He died, after being run over by a tram aged 72, a beloved pauper, lauded as genius and admired as a saint."