Friar Gabriel Chávez de la Mora in conversation with Jamil Afana

Abstract

Friar Gabriel de la Mora (Guadalajara, November 26, 1929) is a Mexican architect, monk, liturgist and honorary canon of the National Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Insigne y Nacional Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe. He has extensive experiencer in Mexican religious and contemporary architecture and has contributed substantially in the area of iconography. He is well known for his artistic creations of iconography, painting, sculptures, carved wood, furniture, sacred vessels, metalwork, liturgical garments, stained glass, openwork iron, mosaics and also book-cover designs. The following conversation with Friar Gabriel explores spirituality and contemporary Mexican religious architecture. Friar Gabriel details his first contact with religious architecture, his experience with the Second Vatican Council, and his architectural contribution particularly in the sacred site of Tepeyac.