January 9, 1902 - Josemaría Escriva's arrival into the world

Describing his arrival into the world, he says, "God our Lord was preparing things so that my life would be normal and everyday, nothing extraordinary. He had me born in a Christian home, as was typical in my country, of exemplary parents who practiced and lived their faith." Tags: Barbastro, The Escriva family

Blessed be Suffering

Behind this phrase, from one of the points in The Way, lies a long story that was deeply engraved on St Josemaria's soul, one which he often referred to in the course of his life. Tags: Cross, Suffering, sick

Novena to the Immaculate Conception

The Novena to the Immaculate Conception, is a custom that has crystallized in the Church as a preparation for the great solemnity of December 8th. As St. Josemaría taught us, each of us should live this custom in the way that he or she considers most appropriate. Tags: Our Lady, novena, Josemaria Escriva

The Advent Wreath

This tradition goes back to pre-Christian times, and was a preparation for the coming of spring. In the sixteenth century Christians gave it a new meaning: preparing for the coming of Christ. Read in this article the origin and symbolism of it. Tags: Advent

Forever in thanksgiving

Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving Day has been an annual holiday in the US since 1863. It is also a time for many people to give thanks for what they have. But Thanksgiving is overall a part of Christian life, as we realize how much God has done for us and for others. St Josemaria developed gratitude as a virtue throughout his life, as those who lived with him recall. Tags: Abandonment to God, Gratitude, Alvaro del Portillo, Javier Echevarria, Opus Dei

Love, time, and everything

Doris Cerna moved to the US from Peru with her husband and two small boys in 1991. In Peru, she had been a member of a professional dance group for ten years. She had a friend who loved Peruvian Folk dancing and asked if she would come and perform at a center of Opus Dei in Peru. Doris did, and that was the first time she set foot in a center of Opus Dei. Tags: Education, family, US

The same cooking-pot

Maria Marta and Laureano Mones-Cazon

Maria Marta studied tourism and then decided to dedicate herself full-time to looking after her family. She is now working in a school. This year Pablo, one of her sons, was ordained a priest. She and he both have the same goal: to become saints. In this interview, mother and son answer the same questions about their ideal and how they follow it hand-in-hand with St Josemaria. Tags: Opus Dei, Priesthood, Holiness, Vocation, Argentina

In water up to the neck

Andrés Vázquez de Prada

Sensing collapse, Saint Josemaria sent out an SOS, in hopes that the Lord would put an end to a difficult moment. He had decided to consecrate Opus Dei to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. To the members in Mexico he wrote: “Soon I will do the consecration to the Sacred Heart. Help me prepare for it” He added as a postscript: “SOS: We are still in water up to the neck. And also with the same trust in God our Father.” Tags: Suffering, Opus Dei, Poverty, Opus Dei members, Consecrations of Opus Dei

To fight for love

Msgr Jaime Fuentes

Bishop Jaime Fuentes, who lived in the same house as St Josemaria Escriva, has written a book about his memories of St Josemaria: in the life of someone who aspires to holiness, the tiniest fact can indeed be sacred. That conviction led him to publish Luchar por amor (“To Fight for Love”), a short book of memoirs: “I lived and worked with the founder of Opus Dei for ten years, from 1964 to 1974 (...). Time has gone by, and very minor memories have become a real treasure.” Tags: Love of God, Ascetical struggle, Holiness, Josemaria Escriva

Magnanimity, faith, and “madness”

For nine centuries Torreciudad has been a meeting-point for devotion to the Virgin Mary. St. Josemaria joined in with this story: his love for our Blessed Lady led him to initiate the building of a shrine. At the time, carrying out this project seemed like madness. Tags: Opus Dei, Our Lady, Torreciudad, Josemaria Escriva