St Josemaria Escriva

0626 St Josemaria Escriva 1p SMC 8.5 x 11 R1R 20240414

St. Josemaria Escriva was born in Barbastro, Spain, on January 9, 1902. He was ordained to the priesthood in Zaragoza, Spain on March 28, 1925. On October 2, 1928, by divine inspiration, he founded Opus Dei—a Personal Prelature of the Catholic Church that fosters among Christians the search for holiness in the world, especially in the ordinary circumstances of life and the sanctification of work. Speaking about his own life, St. Josemaria explained that, “the life of a man who lives by faith will always be the story of the mercies of God. At some moments the story may perhaps be difficult to read, because everything can seem useless and even a failure. But at other times Our Lord lets one see how the fruit abounds and then it is natural for one’s soul to break out in thanksgiving” On June 26, 1975, he died suddenly in Rome after a final affectionate glance at a picture of Our Lady in the room where he worked. Pope St. John Paul II canonized St. Josemaria in Rome on October 6, 2002. His liturgical feast is celebrated on June 26.

St Josemaria Escriva – June 26^th

“God doesn’t ask for our ability or our inability, but our availability.”

“Don’t be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality or joy.”

“To love God is something great and extraordinary, and to realize this is the most beautiful thing in life.”

“We must build and not destroy. We want to love, not hate. We want to create, not kill.”

“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”

June 26

ST. JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA

Speaking about his own life, St. Josemaria explained that, “the life of a man who lives by faith will always be the story of the mercies of God. At some moments the story may perhaps be difficult to read, because everything can seem useless and even a failure. But at other times Our Lord lets one see how the fruit abounds and then it is natural for one’s soul to break out in thanksgiving” (Conversations, no. 72).

The life of St. Josemaria Escriva, priest and founder of Opus Dei, was a life of faith, a life holy and full of God—a life dedicated to doing God’s will and bringing to the world the message God entrusted to him: “Sanctity is not for a privileged few. The Lord calls all of us. He expects love from all of us—from everyone, wherever they are; from everyone, whatever their state in life, their profession or job. For the daily life we live, apparently so ordinary, can be a path to sanctity: it is not necessary to abandon one’s place in the world in order to search for God…because all the paths of the earth can be the occasion for an encounter with Christ” (Letter 24-III-1930, no. 2).

https://youtube.com/shorts/5q06IY82k5Q

Prayer for Saint Josemaría’s intercession.

O God, through the mediation of Mary our Mother, you granted your priest St. Josemaría countless graces, choosing him as a most faithful instrument to found Opus Dei, a way of sanctification in daily work and in the fulfillment of the Christian’s ordinary duties. Grant that I too may learn to turn all the circumstances and events of my life into occasions of loving You and serving the Church, the Pope and all souls with joy and simplicity, lighting up the pathways of this earth with faith and love. Deign to grant me, through the intercession of St. Josemaría, the favor of … (make your request). Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be to the Father.