I have been moved above all by Gaudí’s confidence when, in the face of many difficulties, filled with trust in divine Providence, he would exclaim, “Saint Joseph will finish this church”. The joy which I feel at presiding at this ceremony became all the greater when I learned that this shrine, since its beginnings, has had a special relationship with Saint Joseph. It is a history of holiness, artistic and poetic creation, born from the faith, which we gather and present to God today as an offering in this Eucharist.
This event is also in a certain sense the high point of the history of this land of Catalonia which, especially since the end of the nineteenth century, has given an abundance of saints and founders, martyrs and Christian poets. We remember of course the man who was the soul and the artisan of this project, Antoni Gaudí, a creative architect and a practising Christian who kept the torch of his faith alight to the end of his life, a life lived in dignity and absolute austerity. At this time I would like to mention each and every one of those who have made possible the joy that fills us today, from the promoters to the executors of this work, the architects and the workers, all who in one way or another have given their priceless contribution to the building of this edifice. Today marks an important step in a long history of hope, work and generosity that has gone on for more than a century. I also extend a respectful greeting to the national, regional and local authorities present, as well as to the members of other Christian communities, who share in our joy and our grateful praise of God. I also greet Cardinal Ricardo María Carles Gordó, Archbishop Emeritus of Barcelona, the other Cardinals present and my brother bishops, especially the auxiliary bishop of this local church, and the many priests, deacons, seminarians, religious men and women, and lay faithful taking part in this solemn ceremony. I extend a thankful greeting to Cardinal Lluís Martínez Sistach, Archbishop of Barcelona, for his words of welcome and for his invitation to me to dedicate this Church of the Sagrada Familia, a magnificent achievement of engineering, art and faith. I extend an affectionate greeting to their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain who have graciously wished to be with us. With these words from the first reading that we have proclaimed, I wish to greet all of you taking part in this celebration. … The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:9-11). “This day is holy to the Lord your God do not mourn or weep. Since then, all creation has been waiting to be made new.APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA AND BARCELONA However, they chose to disobey God, which brought a curse on humanity and all creation, causing us to inherit a radically corrupted nature from them. Adam and Eve, the first humans created, were literal human beings who were created perfect by God to live in a perfect world. Jesus Christ created the universe and everything therein, including humanity. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ arose from the dead in the same physical body, though glorified, in which He had lived and died, and that He ascended into heaven in the same glorified physical body in which He arose, is now seated at His Father’s right hand, assuring us of the perfection of His work of redemption, and that He now, as Head over all things to the Church, is engaged in intercessory prayer on behalf of the redeemed as their only Advocate (1 Tim.
#New beginnings church of god free
He died as a representative and substitutionary atonement on behalf of all persons throughout history who would repent and place saving faith in Him, and thus offers salvation as a free gift based on grace alone. We believe that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, and that He is true God and true man, having two distinct natures co-joined in one Person. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, the Eternal Word made incarnate in the fullness of time.
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