It is known that in 2026 we are remembering the centenary of the death of Antonio Gaudí. This has led me to rediscover Rafael Álvarez Izquierdo's biography of the brilliant architect. In this book he recounts a little known facet of his life. Gaudí had no choice but to ask for money from private individuals to continue the work on the Sagrada Familia.
On one of these visits he was very grateful for a donation, to a person he had visited to help him. The donor told him that it was not necessary for him to thank him, because it was not a sacrifice for him. Gaudí kindly explained to him that it was of no use, or rather, that it was of no use to him as a collaborator of a good cause, if it did not involve any effort on his part. And he proposed to increase it until it cost him, so that his action would be pleasing to God. He then explained to him that charity that does not have sacrifice as its root is not true, and perhaps is only vanity.
That person was amazed at the message he had received, so clearly and kindly. He tried to put it into practice, and humbly now gave him a much larger amount. At the same time it was he who now thanked Gaudi for helping him to help well.
