Spanish archbishop orders new gateway to mark shrine's Holy Year

Published: 2004-04-15

OXFORD, England (CNS) -- The archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, has ordered a new gateway and the opening of 15 ancient sites to mark the shrine's Holy Year. Msgr. Victor Marono Pena, vicar general for the Santiago Archdiocese, told Catholic News Service that plans to rebuild the shrine's ancient gate were made about 30 years ago, but that the archdiocese was not able to begin restoration until now. "The new construction will be large but simple, symbolizing Santiago's status as an open European city, as well as the conversion of pilgrims to a new life at the end of their journey," he told CNS in an April 15 telephone interview. Archbishop Julian Barrio Barrio of Santiago de Compostela announced the opening of the 15 sites, including chapels linked to the sanctuary, a cathedral museum, the St. Francis convent, Holy Rock hospital and the collegial Church of Our Lady of Sar. Msgr. Marono told CNS the 50-foot granite St. Joseph's Gateway, to be unveiled July 25, would hold bronze images of the shrine's 20 most famous pilgrims, including Sts. Dominic and Bridget; Italian poet Dante Alighieri; 15th-century Flemish painter Jan van Eyck; and Pope John Paul II, who visited Santiago de Compostela in 1982 and 1989.

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